Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley, Armenia
An exceptional example of a medieval monastic foundation in a remote area of great natural beauty
Carved into the rock (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
The monastery contains a number of churches and tombs dating from the 4th to the 13th century, most of them carved into the rock, in a splendid natural setting at the entrance to the Azat Valley.
Ayrivank (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
At the early period, the Monastery was called Ayrivank (Monastery in the Cave) because of its rock-cut construction. The monastery was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator and was built following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia, early in the 4th century AD.
Monastery of the Spear (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
Of all the relics that were housed in the monastery, the most famous was the spear which had wounded Christ on the Cross, allegedly brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus, and from which comes its present name, Geghard-avank, which translates to "the Monastery of the Spear".
Legend (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
Legend
According to legend, a brother and sister who came from a noble family decided to build a temple in the Azat River gorge and to live there, but they were undecided as to exactly where they should build it and so they asked for God's help.
Monastic complex (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
They waited for a sign, and saw, one morning, that their hoe was stuck in the ground at the top of the mountain. That was the sign. The siblings built the temple into the rock, with the help of a holy virgin, and lived there till the end of their lives.
Structure (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
Structure
The main architectural complex was completed in the 13th century AD and consists of the cathedral, the adjacent narthex, eastern and western rock-cut churches, the family tomb of Proshyan princes, Papak’s and Ruzukan’s tomb-chapel, as well as various cells and numerous rock-cut cross-stones (khachkars).
Kathoghikè (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
The Kathoghikè (main church) is in the classic Armenian form, an equal-armed cross inscribed in a square in plan and covered with a dome on a square base, linked with the base by vaulting.
First rock-cut church (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
The east arm of the cross terminates in an apse, the remainder being square. In the corners are small barrel-vaulted two-storey chapels. On the internal walls there are many inscriptions recording donations.
St. Astvatsatsin (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) chapel is the most-ancient preserved monument outside the ramparts and is located on the western side. It is partially hewed in the rock. There are engraved inscriptions on the walls, the earliest of which date back to 1177 and 1181 AD.
17th-century service buildings (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
Residential and economic constructions were built later, in the 17th century.
Entry hall (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
The masonry of the external walls is particularly finely-finished and fitted. A gavit (entrance hall) links it with the first rock-cut church.
Access (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
Access to the monastery
The monastic complex is accessed by a long, paved road which terminates in a parking area below the ramparts of the complex.
Magnificient landscape (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
A line of houses and residential buildings runs parallel with the walls and forms the southern boundary of the complex. Within the walls are a series of churches and chapels that are carved into the cliff and include a magnificent entry hall, or gavit, and the Church of St. Gregory.
Outstanding Universal Value (2000) by Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat ValleyUNESCO World Heritage
Criterion (ii): The Monastery of Geghard, with its remarkable rock-cut churches and tombs, is an exceptionally well preserved and complete example of medieval Armenian monastic architecture and decorative art, with many innovatory features which had a profound influence on subsequent developments in the region.
This exhibit was created by Armenia Travel: armenia.travel/en
More on the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley and World Heritage: whc.unesco.org/en/list/960/
Photos: Armenia Travel
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