Tatev Monastery

Tatev Monastery

Syunik Province

The Armenian-Apostolic Tatev Monastery, built between the 9th and 11th centuries in the southern Armenian province of Junik, is one of the country's most important architectural monuments and a centre of Armenian culture. For centuries, the monastery was home to important monks, philosophers, musicians and painters.

A very important man in Armenian history was St. Gregory (the Enlightened One). He was the one who spread the word of Christ in Armenia. The fact that he was buried in one of the churches of Tatev Monastery gives the monastery additional importance.

The world's longest cable car

No less spectacular than the monastery is the journey: The «Wings of Tatev», a 5,750-metre long cable car, takes visitors from the village of Halidsor over two mountain peaks and over the Worotan Gorge, up to 500 metres deep, to Tatev Monastery during the 11-minute ride. The cable car was built in 2010. Before that, the journey to Tatev Monastery took much longer, as one had to follow a narrow Holper road through the Worotan Gorge by car. With a length of 5,750 metres, the «Wings of Tatev» is the longest reversible aerial tramway in the world in one section and with only one continuous suspension rope.

From June to August the Tatev cable car runs between 09:00 and 20:00, in May and September from 10:00 to 19:00 and from October to April from 10:00 to 18:00. In winter the return trip costs 3'500 AMD (7 USD), in summer 5'000 AMD (10 USD).

The 3 Tatev churches

Once you reach your destination, you can walk through the village of Tatev with its 1,000 inhabitants or, because it is not particularly spectacular, visit the monastery of Tatev directly.

There are three churches on the monastery grounds. The central building is the Surb Pogos-Petros (Peter and Paul Apostle Church), built between 895 and 906. There are also St. Gregory's and St. Astvartsin's churches on the site. The latter was built in the 11th century. In 1931 a strong earthquake caused great damage to the buildings. The beauty of the monastery was not affected.

Also, the view from the monastery to the Vorotan gorge and the surrounding hills is phenomenal.

Private tour to the Tatev Monastery

Are you interested in a private tour to Tatev Monastery or to any other place in Armenia? Tell us about your ideas and immediately get an offer without obligation from us.

How to get there