Tatev Monastery

Tatev, perched dramatically on the edge of a deep gorge in the wild mountains of southern Armenia, is one of the most spectacular and important monasteries in the country, a great medieval centre of religion, learning and manuscript illumination. Its fortified complex of churches and towers, in a breathtaking clifftop setting, is reached by the Wings of Tatev, at the time of its opening the longest non-stop double-track cable car in the world, which soars for over five kilometres across the deep, forested Vorotan gorge, a thrilling ride in itself.

History

Tradition names the monastery after Eustateus, a disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus martyred in the region, and a pagan temple on the plateau gave way to a small church after Armenia's conversion in the 4th century; in the 9th century Tatev became the seat of the bishop of Syunik, and Stepanos Orbelian records a new church built in 848 with the help of Prince Philip of Syunik. Early in the 11th century some 1,000 monks lived here, forces of neighbouring emirates wrecked the church of St Gregory in 1044, soon rebuilt, the church of St Mary followed in 1087, and Seljuk raids, an earthquake in 1136 and the plunder of 1170, when some 10,000 manuscripts were burned, did heavy damage. In the 14th and 15th centuries it housed the University of Tatev, one of the most important in medieval Armenia, a centre of science, philosophy, book copying and miniature painting (Wikipedia, Tatev Monastery).

Highlights

• The clifftop monastery - the fortified medieval complex over the gorge.
• The Wings of Tatev - the record-breaking cable car across the gorge.
• The mountain scenery - the deep, forested Vorotan gorge and peaks.
• The Devil's Bridge - the natural rock bridge and springs in the gorge.

When to go

May to October for the best weather in the southern mountains, when the roads are clear and the gorge green; the cable car can close in high wind, so a calm day is best. It is remote in the far south, so it is a long day trip or an overnight from Yerevan.

Before you go

It is remote, in the far south of the country, so reaching it is a long drive of several hours from Yerevan, best as an overnight around the town of Goris. The record-breaking cable car is a highlight but can close in bad weather. It is a working monastery, so dress modestly. The dramatic clifftop setting, the cable-car ride and the mountain scenery, though, are spectacular.

Nearby

The town of Goris, the cave village of Khndzoresk and the southern mountains are within reach.

Key facts