5 of the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia

Since Armenia’s adoption of Christianity in 301 C.E., the nation’s monasteries have been central to its worship traditions. After 17 centuries, these UNESCO-recognized sites became deep community anchors, both reflecting and carving the culture of the world’s first Christian nation. Today, Armenia still enjoys ‘under-tourism’, and these religious sites are well worth exploring. 

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Geghard Monastery, Central Armenia

While the original fourth-century church of Saint Gregory would have been a humble cave chapel, today, Geghard Monastery stands as a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site. Partly carved into the jagged basalt cliffs of the Azat Gorge and partly constructed from local stone, the monastery is located just 20 miles from Yerevan.

Geghard literally means ‘the Spear’ and is named after the legendary Spear of Destiny, said to have pierced Christ’s side on the cross. The monastery once claimed this relic, now housed in Etchmiadzin, Armenia’s first cathedral. In the 13th century, three of the monastery’s chapels were carved directly into the rock under architect Galdzak. These cave chapels are famed for their extraordinary acoustics, hosting haunting performances by traditional Armenian choirs. One soloist, Ana Navasardian, says, in a interview on Radio Free Europe, “The acoustics seem to hug you here, this is unique.” 

In the rock-hewn Avazan Chapel, holy water flows directly from the stone. Visitors look up amid carvings and religious artwork, including Galdzak’s humble inscription: “Remember me sometimes, please,” a quiet human echo from centuries past.” 

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Tatev Monastery, Southern Armenia

From Geghard, the journey ventures deep into the southern highlands, where the landscape grows wilder. The last few miles to Tatev Monastery are central to the adventure, reached via the Wings of Tatev, the world’s longest reversible cable car, flying over the dramatic Vorotan Gorge.

Currently on the UNESCO Tentative List, the fairy-tale scene of Tatev Monastery, about 150 miles from Yerevan, was built in the 9th century in the names of St. Paul and St. Peter. Perched on the edge of the gorge, Tatev soon became a hub of culture and learning. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it housed one of Armenia’s first universities, where monks studied philosophy, science and art. 

Today, its amber stone walls, weathered carvings and 14th-century frescoes burst with colour and detail. The paintings portray Armenian saints, biblical scenes and local patrons. They offer visitors a rare window into the spiritual and artistic life of medieval Armenia.

“Tatev is more than a 9th-century monastery; it’s a living place,” says Anna Arshakyan of the Tatev Monastery Information Centre. “Visitors stay in our homes, share breakfast with our families and learn about our culture. Tourism brings prosperity, yes, but it also strengthens the bond between locals and travellers. And at the heart of it all is Father Mikayel. People come from far and wide just to meet him. Without his devotion, Tatev wouldn’t be alive the way it is today.” 

Father Mikayel represents the human thread connecting the ancient site of Tatev to the present day. Visiting a millennium-old monastery is more than mere sightseeing when the community still thrives. His presence ensures that Tatev is not just a frozen monument but remains a place of spiritual practice and hospitality. 

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Noravank Monastery, Southern Armenia

North of Tatev, 75 miles south of Yerevan, the dramatic Amaghu Gorge hosts Noravank Monastery, one of Armenia’s most striking. Framed by red cliffs, the site is most magical at sunrise or sunset, when the golden light illuminates the cliffs and the softer tones of the monastery buildings.

Currently on UNESCO’s Tentative List, the core structures date back to the 13th century and follow a distinctly Armenian architectural style. The most notable feature is an external stone staircase leading to the upper prayer hall. According to legend, the True Cross of Christ was once kept in this monastery, though more securely documented is Noravank’s role as an important religious, cultural, and educational centre in the 13th and 14th centuries. 

Energetic visitors can also enjoy several footpaths that climb the slopes surrounding the monastery to viewpoints overlooking the complex. Here, weathered khachkars (unique memorial stones in Armenian culture) appear among the rocks, and the trail offers sweeping views of the gorge and the monastery’s enduring silhouette.

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Sanhain and Haghpat, Northern Armenia

Armenia’s spiritual landscape reaches across the nation. A journey north reveals the 10th-century sister monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat, imposingly seated on either side of the Debed Gorge. Together, they offer a window into Armenia’s intellectual and artistic past, forming another UNESCO World Heritage site that highlights the lasting legacy of faith, scholarship and architectural mastery.

Sanahin, founded by a king, and Haghpat, by a queen, share a playful rivalry. Locals claim Sanahin’s name means “this one is older than that one,” while Haghpat, “huge wall,” acknowledges the monastery’s imposing fortifications. In medieval Armenia, each monastery developed as a centre of learning: Haghpat’s basalt walls echoed with studies of philosophy, logic and science, while Sanahin resonated with music and hosted the work of master calligraphers and illuminators.

The Byzantine ecclesiastical style of these sites reveals striking similarities. Courtyards framed by stone archways guide visitors to intricately carved khachkars scattered throughout the grounds. The superb craftsmanship at both monasteries reflects a shared architectural tradition and monastic culture that flourished in Armenia for centuries.

For the adventurous, ancient pathways still link the monasteries via the World Heritage Trail, a six-mile, four-hour hike waymarked with stone pillars installed by the Armenian Hikers Association. The route is linear, so planning return transport is essential, but walking this historic trail offers a tangible connection to the monks who regularly journeyed this way for religious ceremonies and festivals.

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