Foundation: 4th century, rebuilt in 19th century
Location: Martuni Province, Republic of Artsakh
Distance from Yerevan: 380km / 6 hours
Amaras Monastery is located in Republic of Artsakh, near the village of Sos. The Monastery is supposed to be founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator in the beginning of the 4th century. His grandson St. Grigoris was buried here. A tomb built for his remains still survives under the apse of St. Grigoris church.
Here in the 5th century Mesrop Mashtots (the inventor of Armenian Alphabet) established a school, where Armenian script was used.
Amaras has been destroyed by invaders for several times. The new church, dedicated to St. Grigoris, was built in 1858.
