Khor Virap Monastery: Armenia's Spiritual Heart with Ararat Views

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A historic Armenian monastery with stunning views of Mount Ararat, Khor Virap is a pilgrimage site with a deep spiritual history.

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Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap Monastery, near Pokr Vedi, is a significant Armenian religious site. It's famed for its stunning views of Mount Ararat and its historical importance as the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before converting Armenia to Christianity in 301 AD.

A brief summary to Khor Virap Monastery

near the village of, H11, Pokr Vedi, 0612, AM
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Khor Virap Monastery.

Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best light for photographing Mount Ararat.
Dress respectfully, covering shoulders and knees, as this is a holy site.
Bring a flashlight or use your phone to light your way when descending into the dark dungeon.
Combine your visit with other nearby attractions like Noravank Monastery or the Areni wine region.

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Yerevan, take the metro to Sasuntsi Davit Train Station. Behind the station, at the Intertown Bus Station, find a minibus to Ararat. The ride costs around 500 AMD and takes approximately one hour. From Ararat, you can walk 1.5 kilometers to Khor Virap, take a taxi for approximately 500 AMD, or look for Marshrutka #467, which goes directly to Khor Virap at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00 for 250 AMD.
Taxi

A taxi directly from Yerevan to Khor Virap takes about 40-60 minutes. Expect to pay around 4500 AMD. Taxis are readily available in Yerevan and can be found through local taxi apps.
Driving

From Yerevan, drive south on the E117 for about 30 kilometers, then take the H11 to Khor Virap Monastery. The drive is approximately 45-60 minutes. Parking is available near the monastery.

Discover more about Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap Monastery, whose name translates to “deep dungeon,” is one of Armenia's most visited pilgrimage sites. Located in the Ararat plain, close to the Turkish border, it offers iconic views of Mount Ararat, a national symbol for Armenians. The monastery's history is deeply intertwined with Armenia's conversion to Christianity. Originally, the site was a royal prison, a place of confinement. In 301 AD, King Tiridates III imprisoned Gregory the Illuminator here for 13 years for preaching Christianity. Gregory's eventual release and his healing of the king led to the conversion of the Armenian kingdom, making it the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion. The monastery complex includes the St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, built in the 17th century, and the Gevorg Chapel, which houses the entrance to the underground prison where St. Gregory was held. Visitors can descend into the virap (dungeon) to experience the conditions of Gregory's imprisonment. The site also holds the remains of a 5th-century chapel. Khor Virap is not only a pilgrimage destination but also a center of education and science since the 13th century. The fortified walls and adjacent buildings were erected in the 17th century. Today, the monastery embodies the Armenian people's connection to their historical homeland and Mount Ararat, offering picturesque views and a spiritual atmosphere.