Khor Virap — Attraction in Ararat Province

The Khor Virap (Armenian: Խոր Վիրապ, meaning "deep dungeon ) is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plain in Armenia, near the closed border with Turkey, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of Artashat, Ararat Province, within the territory of ancient Artaxata.The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholicos. Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for about 14 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country. In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor Virap by Nerses III the Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Now, regular church services are held in this church. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage...

I just returned from a trip to Khor Virap today (Sept 11, 2016) via local bus. I discovered the local transport accidentally. At a bus depot near the Yerevan Railway station (which can be reached by metro/subway), there is a mini bus with a sign Khor Virap. The bus depot is about 5 minutes walking distance from the railway station. Use the metro tunnel which will lead you to the bus depot. The fare is 400-500 AMD one way. Most taxi drivers ask for 5000 AMD one way. I took the 11 am bus. The return trip was at 1:20 pm. The bus driver has a sign in English that says the price of the journey and the pick up time at the monastery. Do be punctual because he was. I do not know if there are earlier buses leaving for the monastery but I suspect there are because a lot of locals go there. The bus journey was about half an hour. The journey wasn't unpleasant as long as the driver does not smoke. :-)

Happy venturing. P/S: Please do not post any questions because I do not check my reviews or responses...

Khor Virab (Khor Virap Monastery) is definitely one of the amazing Monastery in Armenia as the view is just breathtakingly wonderful with the Mount Ararat in the backdrop. It very near to the closed border of Turkey, so expect that if you're a tourist your phone will receive a notification welcoming you to Turkey's mobile phone network operator as it happens to all of us when we were there. In the Monastery, you can go down to the underground confinement, however, we didn't try as we are afraid of the very narrow stairway. It's really worth visiting if you are in Armenia. Please be mindful and respect those who are praying when...