The Monastery of S.Nshan is located in the village of Haghbat on a plateau in the Alaverdi region of the Republic of Armenia (approx.coord. 41-02 / 44-36). It is 6 km from the town of Alaverdi which is the regional capital. According to documentary sources the monastery was founded in 976 AD and the fortress of Kalan was built to protect it in 1233 AD. Like Sanahin, Haghbat was founded by the royal Bagratuni dynasty and it eventually became a spiritual center of the Kiurikians.

S. shan Monastery of Haghbat consists of a number of structures which were built at various times between the 10th and the 13th centuries. Most prominent are the main church of S.Nshan, the gavit, the two small churches of S.Gregory and S.Astvatsatsin, the gavit or zhamatun of Bishop Hamazasp, a large hall linking these to the library, a refectory, a bell tower, mausolea and several khachkars. Situated outside the walls are other khachkars and the Haghbat fountain.