Khor Virap (meaning deep pit) is a monastery rests atop a hill in Ararat Valley, near the border with Turkey. It is where Grigor Luisavorich who later became St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before curing King Tiridates III of a disease. And this caused the conversion of the king and Armenia into the first Christian nation in the world in year 301.
On the way back from Garni, I stopped by Ararat (Charents) Arch. This monument was erected in 1957 and supposedly has a breathtaking view of Mount Ararat.
The words carved on the arch belong to one of Armenia’s famous poet, Yeghisheh Charents. It reads ‘Travel the world: you will never find a crest as pure as Ararat’s, As an impassable road to glory, I love my Masis Mountain, from his poem, ‘For My Sweet Armenia.
Sadly, Mount Ararat cannot be seen that day. Hope to have a better view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap.
After spending a night in Yerevan, the next morning I headed to the Khor Virap monastery in the Ararat valley.
The Ararat Valley is very flat asides from the hill where Khor Virap monastery is located.
Staircase connecting to Khor Virap on top of a hill.
A short hike up the hill.
The fortress wall surrounding St. Astvatsatsin church at Khor Virap.
The green pasture land and vineyards within the Ararat plain.
I think it’s a tombstone of a former priest.
A chapel was initially built in 642 AD at this site. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the St. Astvatsatsin church that we currently see was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks.
Khor Virap is considered to be one of the most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia.
Our tour guide told us that the church was built without foundations.
First, I visited the underground chambers which are inside this building, St. Gevorg Chapel.
There are two unmarked pits inside.
The pit to the right of the altar, with a long ladder leading down is where Grigor Luisavorich was imprisoned.
The climb down is to a depth of 60 metres underground.
My hubby climbing down the staircase. The access sure was small.
This small pit was where St Gregory was imprisoned for 13 years.
An illustrated picture of St. Gregory of how he was imprisoned and converting Armenians from paganism to Christianity.
Only one access to the pit.
This picture proofs that I climbed down the narrow ladder to the pit.
Time to head back up.
Another smaller pit, where prisoners are held. This access is much smaller. I gave this a miss.
Took some pictures of the surrounding buildings.
Still obscure by the clouds, but managed to have a glimpse of the twin peaks of Mount Ararat. The boundary with Turkey is marked with fencing.
Mount Ararat is actually mentioned in the bible where Noah’s Ark landed.
The St Astvatsatsin church built in 17th century.
The interior of the church.
A picture depicting Jesus being baptised by John the Baptist.
A picture of the Crucifixion of Jesus.
A family photo at Khor Virap.
My son fiddling with my camera.
Say cheese!
Leaving the Khor Virap courtyard.
Khor Virap is located within a fort like complex.
The high walls of the complex.
From here, you’re supposed to see the church with Mount Ararat in the background. Well, I was not so fortunate that day.
A macro photo of a caterpillar.
Walk to the top of the rocky hill.
Panoramic view of Khor Virap and its surroundings.
Time to leave Khor Virap.
The Khor Virap Monastery is easily accessible from Yerevan for a half day trip if you staying for a short time in Armenia. As I had the whole day, I continued on to Southern Armenia.
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