Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000). They are located in the northern part of Armenia, in Lori region, near town Alaverdi.The Monasteries were important religious centres, around 500 monks was living there. They were also educational centres and depositories of manuscripts.

Sanahin Monastery ranks amongst the most celebrated monasteries of medieval Armenia. It is a complex with St. Mother of God Church, St. Amenaprkich Church, St. Gregory chapel (X c.), an Academy building (XI c.), a depository (XI c.), a Gallery building (X c.), a vestibule (XII c.) and bells (XIII c.). All these buildings are around St. Blessed Virgin old Church. The academy was historically famous as Academy after Grigor Pahlavuni, where major attention was paid to the arts and humanities. Famous Armenian scientists taught at the academy. By the 12th century, Sanahin had a medical school. There were many notorious people who graduated from the school; one of them is the national singer and musician Sayat-Nova.

Haghpat Monastery, located in the north-eastern part of Sanahin, was built with its resemblance. The clock-tower was erected in 1210 and is one of the most beautiful examples of its kind from the medieval period in Armenia. The monastery’s bell tower, built in 1245, stands apart from the main ensemble of monuments, and is architecturally noteworthy. The complex was once home to libraries, scriptoriums, schools and refectories. Arts and humanities, theology, painting were taught here. The most interesting feature about Haghpat is the refectory (XIII c.).