On a hillside just a few kilometres from the Turkish-Armenian border stands the Monastery of Khor Virap which, in the Armenian language, means a deep well or a deep hole.
You can reach the Monastery by following the main highway with directions to Pokr Vedi which is about 4km away from the Monastery and about 8km to the south of Artashat.
The capital, Yerevan is about 30km distant.
Originally, the building was a prison which was commissioned by Artashes I in the year 180 BC in Artashat which was the capital at that time. However, that city was subsequently destroyed by the Persian, King Shapur II.
The Monastery’s notoriety is due in part to the imprisonment here of Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator) for 13 years.
King Tiridates III commanded that[Read more]

My travel experience in Khor Virap

Mt.Ararat and the monastery

[ Autumn, 2005 ] I realise now that I was very lucky to see the Mt.Ararat so clearly. I read some travel blogs of various people and apparently the mountain is often hidden behind clouds….

BESbswy