Khor Virap monastery

5.0

215 ratings

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Fawas Mohd

Level 5 Local Expert

Nice place But to see the mountains you must go at good whether

Вячеслав бонд

Level 30 Local Expert

If you are old and have chronic diseases, be careful when going down to the dungeon - when there are very few people there, there is very little oxygen, people get scared and start to panic. This is due to the fact that the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air is disrupted. People consume oxygen by converting it into carbon dioxide, and if there are a lot of people in the room, the oxygen concentration decreases over time, while the concentration of carbon dioxide, on the contrary, increases. This can lead to oxygen starvation (hypoxia). Try not to panic, there's still enough oxygen for everyone - it's better for doubters not to experiment and just enjoy the photos and videos - I'm attaching them to the review. Khor Virap (Armenian: deep dungeon) is an ancient Armenian monastery located near the state border of Armenia, near the city of Artashat. It was built in 1662. It is located at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, where, according to legend, Noah found himself on the ark after the Flood. It was originally a royal prison, the name is due to the fact that there was an underground dungeon under the monastery. According to legend, it was in this dungeon that the Armenian king Trdat III in the 4th century ordered St. Gregory the Illuminator to be imprisoned for 13 years, where he kept him for 13 years (and according to some sources even longer). In 642, a chapel was first erected over the dungeon where Gregory was imprisoned. It was rebuilt several times, and in 1662 it was demolished and two large churches were erected in its place and surrounded by stone walls — since then Khor Virap has received the status of a monastery. The monastery served as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians was located. The monastery housed a theological school, and it also served as an educational center founded by Vardan Arevelci in 1255. The buildings located on the territory of the monastery: The Church of St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) is the main church of the monastery, built in the 17th century. The chapel of St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) was built over the underground dungeon where Gregory was imprisoned. The bell tower was built in the 19th century. Monastery walls surround the complex and protect it from external threats. Today, Khor Virap is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage for Armenians from all over the world. Every year, the monastery celebrates two holidays — the days of the entrance and exit of St. Gregory the Illuminator from prison. Gregory's entry into the dungeon is celebrated on the last Saturday of Great Lent. Gregory's release from prison is celebrated on the Saturday before the second Sunday after Pentecost. Armenians celebrate these holidays annually, usually in March and June. In the monastery, you can participate in the ceremony of releasing white pigeons — they believe that they will fly to the top of Ararat.

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Роман Сергеевич

Level 16 Local Expert

It's just an amazing place! Steeped in history and spirit. Mount Ararat was almost invisible, but there were still wonderful views from these places. In general, I think that this place in Armenia is like Red Square in Moscow - if you haven't visited it, you can say you haven't been to the country. We arrived there at Easter, just in time, a lot of cars and people, but it didn't put us off at all! I recommend it!!

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Алёна Олейниченко

Level 30 Local Expert

It's an amazing place, powerful, it feels like you're close to God here, all the faces are bright, smiling despite the heavy wind. A miracle!

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К. С.

Level 19 Local Expert

The best view of Ararat from this place, but also the closest. It is impossible to get any closer, beyond that there is only the border with Turkey across the river. A wonderful educational place. It turns out that there was once a prison here and only then a temple was built. There is a dovecote on the territory, the entrance to the temple is free. There is a toilet outside the gate with a beautiful view of Ararat (for a fee). There is an active cemetery at the entrance to the territory, and vendors of all sorts of small items are located near the parking lot.

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Константин Бутымов

Level 30 Local Expert

Beautiful church and amazing view of small and big Ararat. One of the most beautiful places in Armenia! Admission is free. Lots of parking spaces. But foreign tourists are brought here by sightseeing buses, so you need to catch the time so that there is no fuss. You can climb the hill next to the temple and enjoy the panorama of the surrounding mountains. There is a small souvenir market in the parking lot.

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Лев Клячко

Level 29 Local Expert

An ancient monastery. With views of Mount Ararat. Artashat, the ancient capital of Armenia, was once located on this site. Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the Baptist of Armenia, languished in a dungeon here for 13 years.

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Карина Юрченко

Level 17 Local Expert

The most wonderful thing about this place is that you will see all the greatness of Ararat. If we're lucky with the weather, then both of its peaks will be too. The small one is Sis and the big one is Masis. This is an active monastery. Monks can be heard singing on the territory, services and prayer services are held. It's beautiful and atmospheric.

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Семён Орлов

Level 30 Local Expert

Unrealistically cool energy There is a problem getting there, especially back, but I was helped by incredibly warm-hearted locals. Be vigilant, there are a lot of dubious taxi drivers and scams on the spot. The place is very historical and spiritual

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Елена Бойкова

Level 24 Local Expert

A beautiful place with a wonderful view of Ararat and its own history.

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Marta

Level 5 Local Expert

A stunningly beautiful place. View of Sis and Masis (aka Ararat) Admission is free. There are plenty of souvenir tents at the entrance. You can go to the temple. It is not necessary to cover the head.

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SERGIO

Level 20 Local Expert

Khor Virap is one of the most ancient monasteries in Armenia. It was founded in 642 AD. The architectural complex is located at an altitude of 1080m above sea level, includes two churches and a small chapel, as well as two dungeon caves. The ancient buildings are surrounded by fortress walls with defensive towers, which were built from 1666 to 1669 to protect against raids by Ottoman and Persian troops. The monastery is a place of pilgrimage for believers who believe that prayers here have great power. Travelers from many places come here to see the famous postcard view with their own eyes: an ascetic temple made of tufa (volcanic rock) against the background of the biblical Mount Ararat, where Noah's Ark stopped after the Flood. "Through faith, Noah obeyed God... and built an ark to save his family..." (Hebrews 11:6,7). In the modern world, everyone has a Bible at home or on their phone, with which they can learn about God, his intentions and strengthen their faith. Opposite the entrance to the monastery there is a view of Ararat (if you are lucky with the weather), and behind the fortress there is a mountain climb from where you can take photos from a height.

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Анна А

Level 22 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place. We were there early in the morning.. everything is in a light haze . Ararat was visible

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Ivan Ivanov

Level 25 Local Expert

Who brought salvation and rebirth after chaos and punishment. The biblical Noah's Ark on Ararat, separated by the border-the Araks River, as a symbol of faith and conviction in the truth, proven by time. There are many more confirmations of this. You need to see this place at least once in your life.

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Andrei Shkidin

Level 20 Local Expert

Khor Virap (deep dungeon) is an ancient Armenian monastery, VI century, near the city of Artashat. It is necessary to go down to the dungeon, to feel the horror of Gregory the Illuminator's 13-year stay.

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Алекс А.

Level 13 Local Expert

The iconic place of Armenia. It is mandatory to visit, but preferably on those days when Ararat is visible. Because a visit to the monastery, without a magnificent view of the Big and Small Ararat, will not be so memorable. As they write, when Tsar Nicholas I did not enjoy the view of Ararat, the mountains hid in the fog for several days and the autocrat was very offended. After all, the King had the honor of visiting him, but Ararat did not deign to pay attention to him. Do not repeat his mistakes, enjoy both the historical place and the magnificent view!

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Вадим

Level 30 Local Expert

A delightful landscape, which is further emphasized by Mount Ararat. It's hard to find a place like this. In addition, this place has a powerful energy.

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Елена Кузнецова

Level 22 Local Expert

An ancient monastery. Interesting architecture and structure of the material. It's scary and unpleasant in an underground dungeon.

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Валерия Мельникова

Level 11 Local Expert

An incredibly beautiful place We arrived at dawn and enjoyed the silence and beauty of the early rays Of course, we didn't get inside the temple, but we enjoyed the beauty around us.

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Andreas Scandinavski (писатель)

Level 21 Local Expert

It is better to visit after 2 p.m., when tour groups have already visited this attraction. It is better to take a view of Ararat from the highest point (above the monastery, where the flag is located).

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Sergey B.

Level 8 Local Expert

A wonderful place, we rented a car and arrived here at 6.30 at dawn, not a single person, only dogs, beauty. Mount Ararat is beautifully illuminated with the first rays of the sun. The monastery itself is very beautiful and, again, it is deserted before the arrival of all excursions and tourists. I definitely recommend to visit! Beautiful photos are also obtained from the grape field!

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Михаил В.

Level 7 Local Expert

The best location to view Mount Ararat will not be closer. Interesting things: you will see the Russian base (the nearest fence) and the border with Turkey (just behind the base). On the way from the highway to the monastery, you can see storks' nests. The distance from the highway is great, it's worth considering how to get there.

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Томила С.

Level 11 Local Expert

A beautiful and very picturesque place It probably has the best view of Ararat from here. 🏔️

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Полина Власенко

Level 28 Local Expert

It seems to me that the main attraction of this place is the view of Ararat from the closest point in Armenia. Of course, the monastery itself is a classic of Armenian architecture. In one of the buildings there is a descent into an underground dungeon with a depth of 8 meters.

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Елена

Level 15 Local Expert

We never saw Ararat because of the clouds. A good souvenir is on sale in this place.

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Студия Beauty Mary

Level 17 Local Expert

I was in the summer for the first time , it's just a shock , what a strong , incredible place , I also went down the stairs to the most holy point

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Чёрное море

Level 30 Local Expert

A holy place, overlooking the holy Ararat! A must-visit!

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Инкогнито 1043

Level 18 Local Expert

Khor Virap Monastery (Church of the Most Holy Theotokos) Khor Virap translates as a deep dungeon. And earlier this place was a state prison. According to legend, Saint Gregory the Illuminator was thrown into this pit for his devotion to Christianity. Gregory came out of the pit after he cured Tsar Trdat 3 of his illness. The monastery's observation deck offers a magnificent view of the great Mount Ararat.

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Александра Боенкова

Level 20 Local Expert

A small ancient monastery, the name of which translates as "deep dungeon". There is even a pit accessible to tourists on its territory, where Gregory the Illuminator was kept, and into which you can go down the stairs You can also climb the mountainside near the monastery, there is a path made of stones, but the slopes are not fenced in any way

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Михаил Морозов

Level 27 Local Expert

An interesting monastery at the foot of Ararat. You can see the dungeon. It's not easy to get into it. The vertical staircase is 6 meters. A picturesque place almost on the border with Turkey.

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Любовь Авраменко

Level 19 Local Expert

The monastery where the first Catholicos of Armenia was imprisoned, was impressed by the history of the monastery, the monastery itself, the view of Ararat, the border with Turkey, I advise you to visit

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Anna Gladkova

Level 14 Local Expert

To put it mildly, we were not welcome. We arrived early in the morning and quietly, calmly photographed the view of the mountain. People who came to work on the territory did not greet in return and generally looked at them angrily. Naturally, the market was still closed, so we didn't have time to sell anything. In the reviews, someone wrote that they cheat in the parking lot - it's free there. We arrived, apparently, too early for this and calmly left the car downstairs. And yet, the locals mistreat animals. They have kittens in the territory barely alive, if they are still alive at all. We found out that the locals don't like cats as a whole, as a species. UPD: Note to tourists: they delete negative reviews or fill up with dislikes, so I'll change my 3 to 1

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CaravanRentaCar

Level 15 Local Expert

The road to the monastery of Khor Virap is convenient for any type of car.

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Алексей

Level 26 Local Expert

A must-visit! The monastery on the mountain, the place of imprisonment of Gregory the Illuminator (you can climb down into this stone bag through metal brackets in the wall). From the height you can see the border with Turkey, and in good weather - Ararat.

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Инкогнито 6026

Level 16 Local Expert

A place of peace, but don't pay for pigeons. You can pick them up at the top and release them, which the locals do by simply selling the issue to you. Upstairs, the same pigeons are quite calmly given to the hands

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Vitalii S.

Level 5 Local Expert

A very beautiful place with a wonderful view of Mount Ararat. In the monastery, you can go down into the pit in which Gregory the Illuminator was kept.

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Loksy

Level 12 Local Expert

The only place where I saw Ararat. Unfortunately, the vandalism on the temple is visible.

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Елена Д.

Level 15 Local Expert

The preservation of ancient temples in Armenia is impressive. But it was very striking that you can see the border and the territory of neighboring Turkey, the closest location of the mountains of Ararat - Big and Small - Sis and Masis.

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Yuli E.

Level 9 Local Expert

Divorce for money in the parking lot! In all places, they asked for 200/100 drams. Well, 500 at most. They demanded 1000 here. They shoved their pigeons at the child. Parking is There are scammers working in the parking lot! And they even shove their pigeons in the child's face.

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Armen Аве

Level 11 Local Expert

It is a very beautiful place, you must definitely visit it...

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Armyanoman

Level 19 Local Expert

We went here to see Ararat and the Turkish border, which runs right under the monastery. Nice place, good access, Parking.

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someone

Level 12 Local Expert

There are no words to describe the beauty and energy of this place... And it is necessary to visit here at dawn, when the first rays of the sun illuminate Ararat, overhanging the still sleeping valley...

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Lau Ra

Level 6 Local Expert

Unfortunately, I got into a foggy day and the mountain was not visible, but it was still very beautiful, words cannot describe

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О. П.

Level 13 Local Expert

Impressive, the view of Ararat is gorgeous! There is a moat in the monastery, where St. Peter lived. Gregory.

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Alexey Bruev

Level 15 Local Expert

Just a fantastic place with an ancient, ancient history and a breathtaking view of the biblical Mount Ararat. The purest air, a special atmosphere that cannot be expressed in words.

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Иван Денщиков

Level 5 Local Expert

A very cool historical place. With its own flavor and thousand-year history. I advise everyone to visit this place, preferably with a Guide.

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Александр Листенгорт

Level 30 Local Expert

Wonderful view of Ararat. On the way there is the border with Iran and Turkey. The minus is for the dealers with pigeons

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Наталья Попова

Level 2 Local Expert

We visited the tour together with the Sputnik travel agency. I highly recommend it. A rich program. A convenient bus. A wonderful guide.

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Павел Добровольский

Level 25 Local Expert

An ancient temple, very beautiful and soulful!

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Sofia

Level 9 Local Expert

The temple is located at the foot of Mount Ararat, in the ancient capital of Armenia - Artashat. Khor virap means a deep pit, it was there, in underground casemates, that St. Gregory, the Enlightener of Armenia and the first Catholicos of all Armenians, spent 13 years of imprisonment (from 287-300). According to legend, a woman passed water and food along a rope, and the snake became the only visitor... The depth of the pit is 6 meters along a narrow passage, going down, it seemed that much more, the feeling on the edge, and scary, and interesting. That's how I voluntarily found myself imprisoned for a few minutes and touched the shrine of the great, long-suffering people (Tsavet a nem) ... 642, a chapel was built over the dungeon, and in 1661 a temple was erected....

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Khor Virap monastery

75 reviews