The Tatev monastery in Armenia

In the South of Armenia, high in the mountains above the gorge, is an amazing monastery. It is called Tatev, that Armenian is translated as "give me wings", "fly". The Armenians themselves say that Tatev is an amazing confluence of the middle ages and contemporary, brilliant architecture and virgin nature. The jewel of medieval Armenian architecture, Tatev, was constructed in the IX — XIII centuries.


Tatev is located 316 km from Yerevan. It was erected in the IX century on the site of ancient pagan temples. The monastery got its name in honor of St. Eustathius (arm. Eustatius-Statios-Tatev) is a disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus, prepovedanega, like his teacher, Christian, and a Martyr who died for the new faith, in the southern Syunik province of historical Armenia.


First Church of the monastery was built in the X century. At this time lived in the monastery a small number of monks. In the XIII century the Tatev monastery became the residence of Syunik bishops. Unfortunately, nature didn't want many of the unique buildings of the monastery saw our contemporaries. Black for the aerial tramway began in 1931, when the strongest earthquake nearly wiped it off the face of the Earth. Now Tatev monastery — inactive, but open for travelers.


The location of Tatev, in itself is remarkable — steep rock, at the foot of which flows the rapid river Vorotan.

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