Geghard Medieval Monastery In The Kotayk Province Of Armenia Royalty-Free Stock Photo

Being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status.While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. The monastery had thus been originally named Ayrivank, meaning the Monastery of the Cave. Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank, meaning the Monastery of the Spear, originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus