Khor Virap Monastery the closest point to Mt Ararat

Khor Virap Monastery is one of the three holy places in Armenia and the closest point to the Mount Ararat. The notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site of the monastery is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here for 13 years. The etymology of the name Khor Virap comes from this fact (‘’khor’’ – deep, ‘’virap’’ – pit). The trip is a short one, with the duration of 3-4 hours. Due to this, it is a reachable destination for any season and any day. The one - way road takes approximately 1 hour.

Early European visitors to Khor Virap included Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, James Bryce (1876), H. F. B. Lynch (1893). Pope Francis also visited the monastery in 2016.