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The monastery complex of Geghard (meaning "spear") was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery was famous because of the relics that it housed.
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18 ARMENIA Geghard Monastery 2
The monastery complex of Geghard (meaning "spear") was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator. It is a unique architectural construction 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 There are many often richly ornamented khachkars cut on rock surfaces and on the walls of the structures or put up on the grounds of Geghard in memory of a deceased or in commemoration of someone’s donation to the monastery. Geghard is one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Armenia
Saint Gregory the Illuminator 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. Nothing has remained of the structures of Ayrivank.
During the course of history the monastery suffered from the Mongol and later Lenk Timur’s invasions. It was partially destroyed because of the 1127, 1679 and 1840 earthquakes but was restored and renovated Entrance in Katoghike Church Gavit
Inside the 1215 Katoghikeh the dome rests on a central square, supported by arches ascending from pilasters and half columns on the four corners of the central hall
The walls boast a number of inscriptions and carvings commemorating medieval benefactors to the monastery
Adjoining the 1215 Katoghikeh is a large gavit built between 1215 and 1225 and connecting on its north side with a rough rock wall and springs which have been worshipped since the Bronze Age
The central aperture is topped with a tent-roof open dome, shaped into stalactites, popular in the 13th century in Armenia and Asia Minor
A gavit is often contiguous to the west of a church in a Medieval Armenian monastery. It served as narthex (entrance to the church), mausoleum and assembly room
The first cave chamber, Avazan (basin), situated north-west of the vestry, was hewn in the 1240s in an ancient cave with a spring (a place of worship in pagan times) There is a cold spring (“Saint Spring”), flowing out of the rocks, inside the church
Back outside, take a left up the stone stairs onto a mezzanine level which leads into a narrow corridor carved straight into the cliff face
The sides of the passage are covered in elaborate crosses and centuries old carved Armenian script, and lead eventually into an upper chapel, called a “gavit”
The upper gavit A gavit is often contiguous to the west of a church in a Medieval Armenian monastery. It served as narthex (entrance to the church), mausoleum and assembly room
The upper gavit This upper space, was carved from solid rock, completed in 1288. The room's acoustics are remarkable, perfect for Sharakan (Armenian religious chant) Geghard was renowned as a musical school and was unique in having among its famous composers a woman, Sahakadukht, who composed and taught at the monastery in the 8th century
The first monastery was destroyed by Arabs in the 9th century, but it was re-established and was flourishing again by the 13th century under the patronage of the Proshyan princes, who are buried here. They provided it with an irrigation system in 1200, as well as paying for the erection and reconstruction of most of the churches in the complex
The Proshyans’ sepulchre and the second cave church of Astvatsatsin situated east of Avazan, were hewn in 1283
