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.