Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap

Why it mattersKey Armenian Christian and earlier Artaxiad capital Artashat (180 BCE Arshak?) temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

180 BCE Artaxiad fortress; pit 298 CE 6 m deep cell

Period

Artashat hill fortress 180 BCE; monastery 642 CE; pit 298 CE Gregory the Illuminator imprisoned 13 years

Culture

Armenian Christian and earlier Artaxiad capital Artashat (180 BCE Arshak?)

Purpose

Deep pit monastery (6 m pit where Gregory imprisoned 13 yrs by Tiridates III before converting Armenia 301 CE) before Ararat — citadel of Artashat hill

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1895

Excavation

Partially excavated

1. 180 BCE Artaxiad fortress; pit 298 CE 6 m deep cell

   Initial construction / first occupation at Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap

2. 1990 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap

• Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap — Principal Temple

  temple

  temple at Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap — hydraulic feature

  39.8771° N · 44.5776° E

• Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap — Northern Altar

  altar

  altar at Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap — hydraulic feature

  39.8783° N · 44.5752° E

• Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap — Southern Shrine

  shrine

  shrine at Khor Virap — Ararat View Monastery Pit Dungeon Khor Virap — subsidiary complex

  39.8797° N · 44.5762° E