Shativank Monastery

Shativank is an ancient monastery in the Shatik wilderness, four kilometres east of the village of Shatin in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor Province. It stands on a mountainside above the left bank of the Yeghegis River. Tradition attributes its foundation in 929 to Bishop Hakob of Syunik under King Stepanos Orbelyan. Historical accounts describe it as a strict religious community where monks and priests lived permanently, practised their faith and served the surrounding population.