Geghard Monastery

Geghard Monastery lies in the upper Azat Valley in Kotayk Province, Armenia, about 40 km east of Yerevan, and is inscribed with its surrounding valley on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The monastery was traditionally founded in the 4th century by Saint Gregory the Illuminator at a sacred spring inside a cave, and it was originally called Ayrivank, the Monastery of the Cave. Its present name, Geghardavank, means Monastery of the Spear, after the spear said to have wounded Christ, which was kept here for centuries before being moved to Etchmiadzin. The main church, Katoghike, was completed in 1215 under the Zakarid princes, and the complex also includes a gavit, or narthex, built in the 1220s, and several rock-cut churches and chambers carved directly into the cliff behind. The upper complex, built by Prince Prosh Khaghbakian in the 1280s, has a family tomb and a cross-domed church cut into the rock. The acoustics of the rock-cut rooms are noted, and choirs and visitors often sing there. The walls are covered with khachkars, carved cross-stones, and inscriptions, and a sacred spring flows inside one of the caves. The monastery was damaged by invasions and an earthquake, but remained a pilgrimage site and was repaired in the 17th century and again in the 20th. The surrounding fortress walls and the cliff setting give it an unusual character. The site is still used for worship and for blessing ceremonies, including the traditional Armenian animal sacrifice, matagh, in the grounds. A visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and most travellers combine it with the nearby Garni Temple. Modest clothing is expected, and women often cover their hair inside the churches. Vendors outside sell fruit bread and sweets.