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Geghard Monastery Photo by Armineaghayan

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Geghard Monastery

Geghard monastery or Geghard meaning “spear” is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status. 

While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave.Let’s take a look at some of the most fascinating about it;

1.It was founded in the 4th century

Geghard Monastery Photo by Armineaghayan

The monastery was founded in the 4th century, according to tradition by Gregory the Illuminator. The site is that of a spring arising in a cave which had been sacred in pre-Christian times, hence one of the names by which it was known, Ayrivank (the Monastery of the Cave).

The first monastery was destroyed by Arabs in the 9th century. According to Armenian historians of the 4th, 8th and 10th centuries the monastery comprised, apart from religious buildings, well-appointed residential and service installations.

2.The monastery was famous because of the relics that it housed

The monastery was famous because of the relics that it housed. The most celebrated of these was the spear which had wounded Christ on the Cross, allegedly brought there by the Apostle Thaddeus, from which comes its present name, Geghard-avank (“the Monastery of the Spear”), first recorded in a document of 1250.

This made it a popular place of pilgrimage for Armenian Christians over many centuries.No works of applied art have survived in Geghard, except for the legendary spear (geghard). The shaft has a diamond-shaped plate attached to its end; a Greek cross with flared ends is cut through the plate. 

3.There are several caves, chapels, carvings and other constructions near the main entrance 

Geghard Monastery Photo by Armineaghayan

Near the main entrance on the west there are small caves, chapels, carvings and constructions on the hillside. Right before the entrance are some shallow shelves in the cliff onto which people try to throw pebbles in order to make their wish come true.

Inside the entrance to the compound are the 12th–13th century ramparts protecting three sides of the complex, and the cliffs behind protect the fourth. Walking across the complex will take one to the secondary entrance on the east, outside of which is a table for ritual animal offerings (matagh), and a bridge over the stream.

4.It has been listed by the World Heritage Site

The spectacular towering cliffs surrounding the monastery are part of the Azat River gorge, and are included together with the monastery in the World Heritage Site listing. It is one of the most attractive and most visited tourist attraction sites in Armenia. 

Some of the churches within the monastery complex are entirely dug out of the cliff rocks, others are little more than caves, while others are elaborate structures, with both architecturally complex walled sections and rooms deep inside the cliff.

5.Visitors to the monastery also choose to visit the nearby pagan temple

The combination, together with numerous engraved and free-standing khachkars is a unique sight, being one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Armenia.It has been visited by more than 1 million people annually. 

Most visitors to Geghard also choose to visit the nearby pagan Temple of Garni, located further down the Azat River. Visiting both sites in one trip is so common that they are often referred to in unison as Garni-Geghard.

6.The monastery of Geghard is a renowned ecclesiastical and cultural centre

Geghard monastery Photo sourced from

The monastery of Geghard is a renowned ecclesiastical and cultural centre of medieval Armenia, where a school, scriptorium, library and many rock-cut dwelling cells for clergymen could be found in addition to the religious constructions.

Historians Mkhitar Ayrivanetsi, Simeon Ayrivanetsi, who lived and worked there in the 13th century, contributed to the development of the Armenian manuscript art. Residential and economic constructions were built later, in the 17th century. 

7.There have been no changes on the components of the inscribed property

There have been no changes on the components of the inscribed property since the time of inscription.In addition, the property is surrounded by a substantial buffer zone, established in 1986, within which there are strict controls over any form of development and change.

However, its location in an active seismic zone, the pollution of the surrounding environment, the risk of rockslides, as well as the active tourism route are the main threats to the integrity of the site. The property is under the ownership of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. 

8.The monastery is protected by special groups including the ministry of culture

Geghard Monastery Photo by Hayktt

The Ministry of Culture of Armenia, with its specialized units acting as authorized republican bodies, and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church with its specialized units and the diocese as owner, as well as non-governmental, nature protection units and people interested in Armenian heritage conservation are engaged in the protection of the monastery complex.

Issues concerning conservation, rehabilitation and use of the sites are discussed at specialized councils formed by the Ministry of Culture of Armenia (methodological and architectural councils) and the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, where representatives of both sides are equally represented.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near the monastery

There are several hotels and restaurants near the monastery. Hotels near The Monastery of Geghard include; HyeLandz Eco Village Resort (8.93 mi), Bed & Breakfast 3 Gs (2.20 mi), Chez Yvette (4.12 mi), 7 Qar (5.19 mi) and Guest House GarniResthost (4.98 mi).

Restaurants near The Monastery of Geghard include; Geghard Restaurant which is 0.28 miles away, Restaurant Sergey Gabrielyan (4.79 mi), Noah’s Garden Maran (4.99 mi), Mer Ojakh (5.07 mi) and Garni Ishkhananoc which is 4.23 mimes away. 

10.The Government of the Republic of Armenia enforces consistent policy

The Government of the Republic of Armenia enforces consistent policy to comprehensively study the technical condition of the component parts of the property. The Agency for the Protection of the Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Armenia is responsible for the maintenance and protection of the buffer zone on behalf of the national government.

The budget of the property is composed of allocations from the State budget, entrepreneurial activities and private donations.The government of Armenia ensures that such a national figure is protected and maintained for the future of the country’s tourism.