Khor Virap Monastery Overview

Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery in the Ararat Plain near Artashat. It holds deep religious and historical significance.

Khor Virap sits on a hillock surrounded by green pastures and vineyards. Mount Ararat is in view.

Khor Virap was repeatedly rebuilt.

King Tiridates III imprisoned Gregory the Illuminator here for 13 years. Armenia adopted Christianity in 301 AD.

In 1662 the St. Astvatsatsin Church was built around the old chapel ruins. It has a twelve-sided dome.

The prison pit lies beneath St. George Chapel. A ladder descends 60 metres to a large cell.

The monastery grounds include a courtyard resembling a fort. Excavations uncovered ancient coins and mud-brick fortifications from Artashat era.

Regular services are held at Khor Virap. People visit for baptism or after a wedding.