Sevanavank Monastery is located on Sevan Lake peninsula in Gegharkunik Region. After artificial draining of Sevan Lake the level fell about 20 meters and the island transformed into a peninsula. According to an inscription in one of the churches, the monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot I (who became a king a decade later). At the time, Armenia was still struggling to free itself from Arab rule. The inscription on one of the churches in the monastic complex indicates that Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot I King. The reason why the complex lacks ornaments and the tufa is not shaved is that during that time Armenia was still struggling to free itself from Arab rule.