Khor Virap is located 100 meters from Turkish border. There is a marshrutka from Yervan to Khor Virap twice a day, at 9 am, 2 pm from bus station next to David of Sasun underground station. We missed marshrutka at 9 am and we had to find an alternative way to go to Khor Virap. We got in marshrutka to Ararat and get off in Pork Verdi. We took a taxi (700-1000 DRAM) to Khor Virap.
Khor Virap was built in the place where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for about 14 year by King Tiridates III of Armenia. He was detain in a pit 7 meters deep.The pit is inside the monastery and you can go 7 meters down by metal ladder. When Gregory the Illuminator was released he baptized King Tiridates III and Armenia became first country in the world which adopted Christianity as state religion in 301. You may read about Gregory the Illuminator on this webpage: http://www.vehi.net/istoriya /armenia/agathangelos/en/AGATHANGELOS.html
The monastery is located close to holy Armenian mountain – Ararat. There is a magnificent view on Ararat from the hill where the monastery was built. Khor Virap was built in 7th century and it should be on your must list.
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