Gegard Monastery - famous monastery in Armenia, located in the northeast of the country, 7 km from the village of Garni, above the gorge of the Azat river, surrounded by majestic nature. The main landmark on the road to the monastery is the figure of a lioness, set on a high pedestal near a sharp bend of the road, which was unexpected views of the monastery.

Date of foundation of the monastery has not yet been established. There is speculation that in the early IV century. this place housed the monastery, bearing the name Ayrivank, which translated from Armenian means "cave monastery." Ayrivank existed until the IX century., When the complex is destroyed by the Arabs.

The existing complex Gegard refers to the XII-XIII Art. The very first of the ensemble, not later than 1177, was built a chapel of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The chapel is quite high above the road, about 100 meters from the entrance to the monastery. The appearance of the chapel enliven khachkars with various ornaments and small preserved fragments of frescoes.

The main, and traditionally the most revered church complex is Katoghike. It was built in 1215 and is located directly opposite the mountain. She can see the corners of the chapel and vaulted staircases that protrude from the wall. Ten years later, the temple built a Four-porch. With the main church is directly linked to the sacristy attached to the rock - gavit, built in the first half of the XIII century. Gavit used for training, meetings and for taking pilgrims.

Completion of work on the first cave temple of the monastery - Avazan - refers to 1240, he was hewn at the site formerly occupied by the ancient cave with a spring.

In the second half of the XIII century. Gegard monastery came into the possession of Prince ask Hahbakyana. For a short time there was built a few cave structures, the second cave church, cells, rooms for meetings and training. Especially famous monastic complex Geghard gave the relics, the most important of which is the Spear of Longinus.