Foundation: 4^th century, completed in 1216

Location: Ohanavan village, Aragatsotn Province

Distance from Yerevan:  30km / 40 minutes

The Monastery is located in Ohanavan village, standing on the edge Kasagh River Gorge.  Hovhannavank used to be an important educational and theological center where manuscripts were written and illuminated.

Do not miss the fascinating views of Mount Ara, Mount Aragats and Kasagh River Gorge. You might also like to hike from Hovhannavank to Saghmosavank through Kasagh River Gorge; the trail is marked by AHA Armenia.

The complex:

• The basilica of St. Karapet (the oldest monument of the Monastery founded at the beginning of the 4^th century by St. Gregory the Illuminator)
• The Cathedral (built between 1216 and 1221 by Prince Vache Vachutian, a cruciform church with an umbrella-shaped dome)
• The narthex or gavit (built in 1250 by Kurt Vachutian), later the rotunda was added (1274)