Geghard Monastery

Geghard is a medieval Armenian monastic complex, also known as Ayrivank, “the cave monastery”. It is located in the Kotayk Province, in the mountain gorge of the Goght River, about 40 km south-east of Yerevan.

The founding of the monastery is dated to the 8th century, and the main church was built in 1215. Part of the complex is carved entirely into the rock. Geghard is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The photograph shows the main church with its conical dome, the surrounding stone walls and buildings, and behind them cliffs with cave openings.