The monastery complex Kecharis (11-13 centuries) was one of the most important religious and cultural centers, which is located in the north-west of the city of Tsaghkadzor in the Kotayk region. The Kecharis complex includes 4 churches, a parish, 2 chapels, as well as many khachkars of the 12th-13th centuries. The Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator is a domed hall with 2 two-storey sacristies on both sides of the altar. The domed church of St. Nshan is south of the main church; it is also supposed to have been built by Grigor Magistros in 1051.

Due to the Seljuk yoke in the 12th century, the monastery was thoroughly damaged. In 1151-65, Amirspalasar Zachary liberated the monastery and revived the spiritual life of the monastery. Located in the south of the complex, the Church of St. Katoghike was built in 1203-14 by Prince Vasak Khagbakyan. Outside the complex of monuments (at a distance of 120 m) there is a small church of St. Harutyun (St. Sunday); the vestibule at the western facade, together with the composition of the church, form one whole. On the territory of Kecharis there are many khachkars of the 12th-13th centuries, which give the monastery complex a special brilliance, becoming its inseparable elements.

Throughout its history, Kecharis Monastery has been restored several times. For the first time, the churches of the monastery were repaired after the Mongol invasions in 1248. In 1947-49, the domes of churches were restored, and the territory of the monastery was surrounded by a fortress wall. In 1990, the churches of St. Gregory the Illuminator and St. Katoghike were rebuilt. In 2000, Kecharis Monastery was reconsecrated. The Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator today serves as the Diocese of Kotayk.

Bjni fortress

The Fortress of Bjni was built in the 9th-10th centuries by the Pahlavuni Princes in the village of Bjni, which was first mentioned in Armenian historian and chronicler Ghazar Parpetsi’s “History of Armenia.”

Years long the fortress used to be the primary fortification of the province of Nig, which protected and guarded Bjni. In its turn, the fortress is protected by rocks to the south, east and partially, to the west. As to the north and west, the fortress was surrounded by pyramid-like walls. They are now half-ruined. The ruins and traces of various building-structures can be seen in the fortress.

Note that the walls of the fortress can be seen only from the western side of the village of Bjni.

Bjni Fortress was built in the 9th-10th centuries by the Pahlavuni Princes who originated from the Bagratuni dynasty. The fortress was later reconstructed by Vasak-Holum Pahlavuni, the commander-in-chief of the Armenians. During the tenth century the village of Bjni was the residence of the commander. And also, in 1066 the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians was held in Bjni.

The mentioned period is pictured in “Chronicle” by Armenian historian Mathew of Edessa who, in all probability, began writing it in 1113 and completed in 1140. Written in a dialect of Western Armenian the work covers the events of the second half of the tenth century up to the second half of the twelfth century. The part regarding Bjni Fortress recounts the invasions of Turkish soldiers in 1021. It was then that Vasak learned that the entire district of Nig was enslaved. It was followed by the battle near the River of Qasagh. Feeling exhausted Vasak decided to rest at a mountain and while asleep the commander was struck and thrown off of a rock.