Where would you guess was the first Christian country on earth? Italy perhaps? Nope! It was Armenia.
This small country in the Caucuses was the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD. In fact, Christianity began to spread throughout Armenia soon after the death of Jesus Christ. As a result, there are thousands of religious buildings and artifacts scattered across Armenia.
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Armenia has been described as an ‘open-air museum of Christianity’, and we think that’s a pretty accurate description!
One of the main reasons we travelled to Armenia was to visit the stunning monasteries dotted across the Armenian countryside. Many of these monasteries date back hundreds of years and are often located in remote gorges or atop mountains. Some are even carved into rocky cliff faces.
There are so many monasteries to choose from in Armenia, so we have listed our 5 favourites below to get you started. The best part? Entry to all of these monasteries is free.
1. Geghard Monastery
Geghard Monastery is the most accessible monastery in Armenia, located less than one hour’s drive from Yerevan. This rock-hewn monastic complex is an incredible example of the building skills of Armenia’s medieval architects.
The main buildings were completed in the 13th century, but some sections of the monastery date back as far as 1177 AD. An entire community of monks were housed in the complex and the monks lived, studied and worked here.
The monastery included a school, scriptorium and library, but also held important religious relics. The most famous relic was the spear that wounded Christ on the Cross, but this is now missing.
Getting to Geghard Monastery
There are plenty of tour companies offering reasonably priced day trips to Geghard Monastery. You can also catch a minibus from the Gai bus station in Yerevan (near the Mercedes Benz shop) to Garni, then catch a taxi or walk to Geghard.
The first bus leaves Yerevan at 11am. We hired a car in Armenia, and managed to get two speeding tickets and hit a few potholes on the way to Geghard! Have a look at this affordable day trip from Yerevan to Geghard.
2. Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery is set amongst jaw-dropping red cliffs in a remote gorge off the Yerevan-Goris highway. High-profile bishops and princes were housed in the 13th-century monastery.
The Mongols raided the monastery in 1238 AD, but the monastery has been able to retain its medieval charm. Noravank is a popular day trip from Yerevan, so get here early to beat the tourists. Noravank has a small museum too, which has a few medieval artifacts and artworks.
Getting to Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery is located 116 kilometers southeast of Yerevan. We recommend visiting Noravank Monastery on a day tour from Yerevan or with your own car. Have a look at this affordable day trip which takes in 2 monasteries and a winery.
Marshrutky (minivans) from Yerevan or Yeghednadzor can also drop you off at the turn-off just outside Areni (at Edem Restaurant). From there you can walk or hitchhike the 6km to the monastery.
3. Tatev Monastery
The Tatev Monastery is one of the most far-flung monasteries in Armenia. As a result, many travellers sadly skip this stunning spot. But we promise it is worth the drive!
The monastery is set high upon a clifftop overlooking a huge valley. This working monastery was built in the 9th century and has an eerie medieval feel. Monks still live here, so if you’re lucky you will see them dressed in full garb wandering the grounds.
Getting to Tatev Monastery
Tatev Monastery is located 250 kilometers southeast of Yerevan, but the journey can take up to 6 hours. The easiest way to visit Tatev is by tour or your own car.
You can also catch a mashrutka from Yerevan’s Kilikia bus station to Goris, or a shared taxi. Most people hire a taxi from Goris to the ‘Wings of Tatev’ cable car in Halidzor village (22 kilometres).
The cable car runs between Halidzor and Tatev Monastery. There are also a couple of mashrutkas to Tatev that leave from the market on Syuniki St in Goris. Check with your guesthouse for current timetables. We also met a couple of backpackers who had successfully hitchhiked around the area.
The hilltop monastery of Sevanavank is not the biggest in Armenia, but it arguably has the best views. The monastery is situated on a peninsula just north of Sevan, and offers panoramic views of Sevan Lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Princess Mariam founded the church in 874 AD. She was a true romantic, having built numerous churches across Armenia in memory of her late husband. By the 19th century, errant monks were being reformed at the isolated monastery.
Sevanavank was initially built on an island, but after the artificial draining of Lake Sevan during the Soviet era the island became a peninsula. Perhaps not isolated enough for errant monks anymore.
Getting to Sevanavank Monastery
Sevanavank Monastery is located 82 kilometers northeast of Yerevan. There are plenty of tour companies and hostels in Yerevan organising day trips to Lake Sevan, which includes Sevanavank Monastery. This highly-rated tour is affordable and offers great value.
You can also catch a marshrutka from Yerevan’s northern bus station to Sevan. Arrive by 10am to reserve your seat. From Sevan, you can catch a taxi to the monastery.
5. Sanahin Monastery
The Sanahin Monastery is located in the beautiful Debed Canyon. The monastery is in a remote part of northern Armenia, but had a huge influence on medieval architecture across the country. Sanahin is now a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its architectural importance.
The monastery was built during the Byzantine era between the 10th and 13th centuries, along with nearby Haghpat Monastery. It served as an important centre of learning during medieval times. As a result, you can still find medieval libraries and secret hiding places for manuscripts in the complex.
We recommend paying a small tip for the official tour that is offered. The guide will give you a sneak peek into rooms that are usually locked, and can offer a fascinating insight into the history of Sanahin.
Getting to Sanahin Monastery
Sanahin is located near the village of Alaverdi in the Debed Canyon, 165 kilometers north of Yerevan. We drove to Alaverdi in our trusty Nissan Micra hire car, but I don’t recommend it.
Your best option is to take a tour or catch a marshrutka. Marshrutkas depart Yerevan’s Kilikia bus station daily for Alaverdi. If you can’t find a direct connection, you can also catch a marshrutka to Vanadzor then catch another to Alaverdi.
In Conclusion
Armenia is a destination that isn’t fully on travelers’ radar. But, the stunning monasteries alone should make you want to plan a trip. If you’re in the region, don’t miss nearby Tbilisi in Georgia, and if you’re able, head into Turkey and see the Armenian ruins of Ani, which are just across the border between Armenia and Turkey.
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