Goshavank Monastery - a medieval monastery complex of XII-XIII Art. It is located 20 kilometers east of the town of Dilijan, in the village of Gosh, among village houses and wild mountain rivers. The monastery was founded by the outstanding public figure, theologian and priest Mkhitaryan Gosh, with the assistance of Prince Ivan Zakarian.

Initially, the temple was named the Nor-Getik, which translated from Armenian means New Getik. Its modern name of the monastery was in 1213, after the death of the founder, Mkhitaryan Gosh. Many centuries Monastery Goshavank was one of the major religious, cultural and educational centers in medieval Armenia. In historical sources it is mentioned as a university or seminary, which is not strange since it is here that lived and studied such famous cultural figures of the republic as K. and B. Vardapet Gandzaketsi.

Construction of the monastery began in 1188 and ended at the end of the second half of XIII century. According to the chronicler, Mkhitaryan and his followers initially built a small wooden church in honor of St. John the Baptist, and then, in 1191, laid the foundation of the Church of St. Astvatsatsin.

On the construction of the monastery worked many talented architects, carpenters and masons. However, until recent times came the names of only three artists - architect Mkhitaryan, his disciple Hovhannes Poghosyan and sculptor, creator of amazing cross-stone Goshavank.

The monastery complex consists of the Church of Astvatsatsin built in 1196, the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, built in 1241g., The porch, built in 1203, the book depository with a bell tower, built in 1291, the school building XIII century., XIII century gallery . and the chapel of XIII century .. All the buildings of the monastery complex were performed in the classical style, following all the traditions of the era - with a cross base and without decoration. Among buildings of particular interest is the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, is a small vaulted building with a rich external decoration and luxurious interiors.

In 1972 the monastery was opened a small historical-architectural museum with preserved unique examples of cross-stones and ancient manuscripts Goshavank.