Ayas Tour
Tatev Monastery
Tatev Monastery is another masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture. It is a 9th century Armenian monastery located on a large basalt plateau close to the city Goris in Syunik Province of Armenia 280 km far from Yerevan. It reflects the classical style of the earlier Armenian architecture, but stands out by innovations contrived by the architects of the Syunik School. The monastic ensemble stands on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. Tatev is known as the bishopric seat of Syunik and played a significant role in the history of the being a centre of economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity. It used to be the wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. According to tradition, Tatev Monastery is named after Eustateus, a disciple of St. Thaddeus the Apostle, who preached and was martyred in this region. Popular etymology includes a legend telling of an event that is tied to the construction of the main church, where an apprentice secretly climbs to the top of its steeple intending to place a cross of his own design. However, the apprentice is spotted by his master during his descent. Shocked by his discovery, the apprentice loses his foothold and falls into the abyss as he calls upon God to grant him wings, which, in Armenian is: “Ta Tev”. His name has evolved to Tatev. In the 14th and 15th centuries Tatev Monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting. Scholars of the Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history. All the premises of the monastery have almost survived, and you can fully visualize the routine of the monasteries of the medieval Armenia. In the Vorotan River valley, not far from the Tatev Monastery there is another beautiful monument called Tatevi Anapat. It is a 17th century Armenian monastery. It belongs to the late medieval valuable complexes of the military significance and used to be a religious and educational center located in Tatev village. The trip to the Tatev Monastery is an adventure, going through gorges and valleys and then riding above mountains on the world’s longest reversible rope way which has 5750 m length. This link, named “Wings of Tatev” connects the village of Halidzor with the Tatev Monastery. The project is executed by the Swiss competence centre of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa group and cost US$25 million. In 1995, the monasteries of Tatev, Tatevi Anapat and their adjacent areas of the Vorotan Valley were added to the tentative list of World Heritage Sites of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Tatev Monastery
Tatev Monastery is another masterpiece of Armenian medieval architecture. It is a 9th century Armenian monastery located on a large basalt plateau close to the city Goris in Syunik Province of Armenia 280 km far from Yerevan. It reflects the classical style of the earlier Armenian architecture, but stands out by innovations contrived by the architects of the Syunik School. The monastic ensemble stands on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. Tatev is known as the bishopric seat of Syunik and played a significant role in the history of the being a centre of economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity. It used to be the wealthiest medieval monastery in Armenia. According to tradition, Tatev Monastery is named after Eustateus, a disciple of St. Thaddeus the Apostle, who preached and was martyred in this region. Popular etymology includes a legend telling of an event that is tied to the construction of the main church, where an apprentice secretly climbs to the top of its steeple intending to place a cross of his own design. However, the apprentice is spotted by his master during his descent. Shocked by his discovery, the apprentice loses his foothold and falls into the abyss as he calls upon God to grant him wings, which, in Armenian is: “Ta Tev”. His name has evolved to Tatev. In the 14th and 15th centuries Tatev Monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting. Scholars of the Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history. All the premises of the monastery have almost survived, and you can fully visualize the routine of the monasteries of the medieval Armenia. In the Vorotan River valley, not far from the Tatev Monastery there is another beautiful monument called Tatevi Anapat. It is a 17th century Armenian monastery. It belongs to the late medieval valuable complexes of the military significance and used to be a religious and educational center located in Tatev village. The trip to the Tatev Monastery is an adventure, going through gorges and valleys and then riding above mountains on the world’s longest reversible rope way which has 5750 m length. This link, named “Wings of Tatev” connects the village of Halidzor with the Tatev Monastery. The project is executed by the Swiss competence centre of the Doppelmayr/Garaventa group and cost US$25 million. In 1995, the monasteries of Tatev, Tatevi Anapat and their adjacent areas of the Vorotan Valley were added to the tentative list of World Heritage Sites of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).