Gndevank Monastery

Gndevank was built between 931 and 938 by Princess Sophia, who is recorded as saying that the gorge was a ring without a jewel and she had provided the jewel. It sits on the valley floor rather than a height, walled all round, with a domed church, a gavit and monastic buildings around a small yard, and cliffs rising directly behind. Restoration has kept it in good condition and it is one of the more complete small monastic complexes in the country.

History

Princess Sophia of Syunik built the monastery between 931 and 938, saying that Vayots Dzor was a ring without a gem and she had built this monastery as its jewel, with the priest Yeghishe in charge of the work and Sargis as first abbot; another story says she sold her earrings, gind in old Armenian, to finish it. A gavit was added in 999 and Abbot Petros later had it walled, religious objects were found in a secret chamber of the church in 1875, and after earthquake damage it was restored in 1965-1969 and again in 2013 (Wikipedia, Gndevank).

What to look for

• The domed church - the tenth-century main building with carved detail.
• The gavit - the vaulted hall in front of the church, added in the eleventh century.
• The walled yard - the enclosure with monastic cells around it.
• The gorge - the Arpa cutting between cliffs directly behind the walls.

When to go

May to October is the season and the gorge road is at its best. Autumn colour along the Arpa is exceptional. Snow can close the gorge road in winter.

Things to know

The monastery is small and the visit takes half an hour. The turn-off from the main road is easy to miss. There are no facilities beyond the site itself.

Nearby

Jermuk is up the gorge, and the Vayots Dzor valley runs south.

Key facts