Geghard is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status from 2000 and is one of the only four such sites in the country. The monastery contains a number of churches and tombs, unique for the fact that many are cut directly into the mountain rock face. Gerhard represents the peak of medieval Armenian architectural achievement and comprises a walled complex set in stunning mountain scenery in the upper Azat Valley in Kotayk Province.

UNESCO describes the site as being an exceptionally complete and well-preserved example of a medieval Armenian monastic foundation. Geghard was founded in the 4th century, according to tradition by St. Gregory the Illuminator. The first monastery was destroyed by invading Arabs in the 9th century, but re-established and reconstructed by the 13th century.

The monastery was famous because of the relics that it houses – the lance that wounded Christ on the cross. The site is that of a small spring emanating from a cave which is thought to have been sacred in pre-Christian times, and which continues to flow through one of the rock hewn chapels of the complex.

Fun fact is that according to a local legend, a sister and a brother from a noble family decided to build a temple higher up the gorge of Azat River and live there. However, they could not decide where exactly to build it. Then they asked for the God’s help. After quite some time of waiting for a sign, one morning saw that their hoe was stuck on top of the mountain. They believed that was the sign. With the help of saint virgin, the siblings built the temple inside the rock with and lived happily ever after till the end of their lives.