Tatev Monastery is a majestic 9th–13th century complex dramatically set on a cliff above the Vorotan Gorge. It is famous as a medieval university center and is accessible via the world’s longest aerial tramway, the “Wings of Tatev”.
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Tatev Monastery (literally — “give wings”) is a historical, spiritual, political, and educational center of medieval Armenia. The complex is situated on a high basalt plateau, plunging into the deep Vorotan River Gorge (360 m deep) in the Syunik Province.
Founded in the 9th century, Tatev flourished in the 14th–15th centuries, hosting the University of Tatev—one of the largest educational centers of medieval Armenia, where theology, philosophy, astronomy, and other sciences were taught.
The main temple is the Church of Surb Poghos-Petros (Sts. Peter and Paul, 895–906). One of its unique architectural features is the Gavazan swinging pillar—a medieval seismograph built in the 10th century. Today, the monastery is part of a major tourist complex, which is accessed by the world’s longest reversible “Wings of Tatev” cableway (5.7 km).
