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- Destinations
- Asia
- Armenia
- Yerevan
- The Monastery of Geghard
The Monastery of Geghard
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Monastery of Geghard is by far
and away Armenia's most memorable tourist attraction. The monastery
complex, partially carved out of an adjacent mountain - and
surrounded by the spectacular cliffs of the Azat river gorge - was
founded in the 4th Century by Gregory the Illuminator, at the site
of a sacred spring deep inside the cave. The main chapel, a hugely
impressive structure, full of ornately-carved steles, was built in
1215, and is a lasting testament to the devotion and architectural
nous of the Armenian people. The monastery complex takes its name
from the Armenian for 'Monastery of the Spear' - a reference to the
weapon which wounded Jesus Christ, and was supposedly brought to
Armenia by Jude the Apostle. Don't miss out on visiting this
fascinating site, where even the irreligious will be swept away by
the richness of the valley's history, and the beauty of the
cavernous church.
Information & Facts
Address
Near Goght, Kotayk Province
Language
Armenian is the official language, and it has its own
alphabet. Russian is widely spoken and English is becoming more
prominent.
Money
The official currency of Armenia is the Dram (AMD), which is
divided into 100 lumas. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks
as well as many hotels, with US dollars the most widely recognised
and easily changed, although notes should be in good condition.
Credit cards are not widely accepted other than in some large
hotels and restaurants. Travellers cheques should be in US dollars
to avoid additional charges and there are few ATMs in Yerevan,
including HSBC. It is advisable to carry plenty of small change in
local currency as shops and markets will often not have change.
Time
Local time in Armenia is GMT +4.