---
title: Armenia's Khor Virap Monastery
author: James Blake Wiener
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8347/armenias-khor-virap-monastery/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Armenia's Khor Virap Monastery

_Authored by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/)_

## Image File

[![Armenia's Khor Virap Monastery](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8347.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8347.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Khor Virap](https://www.worldhistory.org/Khor_Virap/) is an ancient Armenian monastery located near the border with [Turkey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/) some 8 km (5 mi) from the town of [Artashat](https://www.worldhistory.org/Artashat/), [Armenia](https://www.worldhistory.org/armenia/). It is situated on the Ararat Plain and offers fantastic views of Mt. Ararat in good weather. Legend has it that St. Gregory the Illuminator (c. 257-c. 331 CE) was imprisoned here for 14 years by Tiridates III of Armenia (r. 287-330 CE). Historical record states that a chapel built on the site by Catholicos Nerses III (r. 641-661 CE) — who was also responsible for the construction of [Zvartnots Cathedral](https://www.worldhistory.org/Zvartnots_Cathedral/) — in 642 CE. Continuously reconstructed througout the centuries, Khor Virap remains one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in modern Armenia.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

James Blake Wiener has a particular interest in cross-cultural exchange and world history. He is a co-founder of World History Encyclopedia and formerly was its Communications Director.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameswiener)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Wiener, J. B. (2018, March 15). Armenia's Khor Virap Monastery. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8347/armenias-khor-virap-monastery/>
### Chicago
Wiener, James Blake. "Armenia's Khor Virap Monastery." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 15, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8347/armenias-khor-virap-monastery/>.
### MLA
Wiener, James Blake. "Armenia's Khor Virap Monastery." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Mar 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8347/armenias-khor-virap-monastery/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [James Blake Wiener](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jbw288/ "User Page: James Blake Wiener"), published on 15 March 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.