Goshavank Monastery

Foundation: 12th century

Location:  Gosh village, Tavush Province

Distance from Yerevan:  118km, around 2 hours

The monastery of Goshavank was built between 12th (1188) and 13th centuries by Mkhitar Gosh, an Armenian scholar and politician. The monastery is one of the great examples of medieval Armenian architecture.

The complex:

  • Grigor Illuminator (Lusavorich) Church, a small single-nave church built in 1237 – 1241.
  • St. Astvatsatsin Church, the main church was built in 1191-1196. The gavit (1197-1203) is a large hall with centralized arched roof.
  • Auditorium is where the school of Goshavank stood in the 13th century; several well-known Armenian scholars and scientists were trained here.
  • Library-belfry is in north wing of St. Astvatsatsin's narthex, here manuscripts were created and copied.
  • St. Grigor Church (1208-1231), located in the south wing of St. Astvatsatsin, a cross-winged dome type church with four annexes.
  • St. Hripsimeh and St. Arakelots chapels, built for Mkhitar Gosh in 1208.
  • St. Gevorg chapel (1254).
  • Poghos khachkar (1291) is the best embroidered khachkar among the masterpieces of carver Poghos in Goshavank.
  • Mkhitar Gosh’s Grave.

Leave No Trace

  • Plan ahead & be prepared
  • Dispose the waste properly
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimize campfire impacts
  • Respect the wildlife
  • Be considerate of other visitors

Roads conditions

It is winter time! Check out road conditions before heading to the road! Beware of the snow & ice layer!

Vanadzor - Alaverdi section of the M6 Interstate highway stretching from Yerevan to Georgian border is temporarily closed. You can use Vanadzor-Stepanavan-Odzun-Alaverdi bypassing road.

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