Tegher Monastery

About this place

Tegher is a monastery of dark grey basalt on the slopes of Mount Aragats. A church with a conical dome on a tall drum stands behind a wide entrance hall, pastures and hills surround it, and the plain opens out below. The monastery was built in the early 13th century for Princess Khatun, wife of Prince Vache I Vachutian. It was designed by the architect Vardapet Aghbayrik, who also designed Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank. Its church of the Holy Mother of God was built in 1213 on a cross plan with a chamber in each corner. It survived intact through the Mongol invasions. A short walk away lie the ruins of the 9th-century village of Old Tegher and a cemetery with carved stone crosses. You see the church from outside in its dark stone, step into the pillared entrance hall, then walk to the old village ruins and take in the view over the plain. The monastery is about 29 km in a straight line northwest of Yerevan. It is a working church, so cover your shoulders and knees, women usually cover their heads, and keep quiet.