The monastery complex of Geghart is located in the north-east of Armenia, 40 km from Yerevan and 7 km. from Garni. It is carved into the rock, higher along the gorge of the Azat River. Included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The
Temple of Garni is located very close.
The exact time of the foundation of Geghard has not been established. Presumably at the beginning of the 4th century, a monastery called Ayrivank, that is, a “cave monastery”, was founded on this place.
In the 9th and 10th centuries, the monastery was repeatedly robbed and devastated by the Arab invaders, and in 923 it was completely looted and burned. Many valuable manuscripts and beautiful structures were destroyed.
The existing complex of Geghard can be attributed to the XII-XIII centuries. The first, around 1177, was the chapel of St. Gregory the Illuminator. In 1215, the main temple of Katoghike was erected, and 10 years later, a narthex of four columns was added to it. In 1240, in the cave where the spring was located, the first cave church Avazan (in translation - “reservoir”) was carved.
In the second half of the 13th century, the princes of Proshyan acquired the monastery complex. In a short time, under their patronage, the cave church of Astvatsatsin (Our Lady), the family tomb of the Proshyan family, the zhamatun in the second tier of the son of Prince Prosh - Papak and his wife Ruzukan, a hall for meetings and classes, as well as numerous cells were built.
In addition to religious buildings, the monastery also had educational centers, a library, well-appointed living and utility rooms.
