Goshavank Monastery

The medieval monastery complex of Goshavank stands in one of the most picturesque places in Armenia, near the village of Gosh, in Tavush region, 117km far from city Yerevan. Built in the 12th-13th centuries AD, the monastery was once one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres of Armenia. Goshavank was named in honor of the great Armenian scientist, politician, fabulist and writer Mkhitar Gosh, who in 1188, with the support of Prince Ivane Zakaryan, took part in the construction of the monastery. Mkhitar Gosh was one of the great intellectual persons of his day, “a humble man of wisdom”, authoring numerous works, including a Codification of Armenian Law, his extremely popular Fables, a number of prayers, theological treatises and other writings. The monastery had a school and university where were kept numerous manuscript. The monastery is located among the houses of the village, so while visiting it, you will get a chance to see how people of Armenian villages live.