haghpat monastery in haghpat, armenia. the initial building was completed in 991 by medieval armenian king smbat II, and other structures were added later until the 13th century. its location was deliberately chosen to both be inconspicuous and overlook the nearby debed river.
this monastery was one of the locations featured in the 1969 film the color of pomegranates. the film follows the life of 18th century armenian poet sayat-nova, who at one point served in haghpat as a monk. he was also murdered there in 1795.