The spiritual heartbeat and cultural center of southern Armenia, Tatev Monastery has risen to great heights, fallen, then rebounded each time. Founded originally in the 4th century A.D., the monastery grew in size and stature over the years, sustaining hundreds of monks and producing countless manuscripts and treasures of Armenian heritage. Neighboring Emirates, Seljuks, Mongols and Persians all took turns over the centuries destroying parts of the complex, but each time it has risen from the rubble and rebuilt. Most recently in 1931 an earthquake brought the complex severely damaged and neglected over the years. The 1980’s saw it restored, as well as a recent program name “Tatev Revival” which reconstructed portions from 2010 through 2019.

Today the monastery is perhaps Armenia’s premier tourist destination, despite its remote location from the capital. The viewpoint from the complex across the gorge is one of the great sites of the Caucasus. The monastery precariously sits on the vertical, semi-circular rock face, with deep canyons and waterfalls surrounding. It is a marvel of human craftsmanship and truly one of the wonders of Armenia.