St. Hripsime church of Vagharshapat is one of the brightest examples of Armenian Early Medieval architecture and a jewel of intricate design. It was built in 618 by Komitas Catholicos in the place of a sepulcher built in the fourth century to Saint Hripsime.
It was included in UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. Base-stones unearthed during renovation works in 1898 show that the church was built in the place of a pagan temple.