"Geghard Monastery is a MUST" Top 5 Page for this destination Armenia Things to Do Tip by RedEaredPanda

Geghard is one of the most amazing sights of Armenia and a must for every tourist. Geghard Monastery has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since the year 2000. It is different and unusual from other monasteries in Armenia in that it is partly an ordinary surface structure and party carved and cut into the cliff.
When driving to Geghard, it is a spectacular scenery as the road turns and the monestary and the cliff appear infront of your eyes.. Please make sure to watch for this effect as it is breath taking..
The main cathedral was built in 1215 and is of cross-dome type. The main buildings of the monastery are surrounded by walls on 3 sides and a cliff face on the other.
There are many details one can talk about when it comes to Geghart monastery. The lion, dove and ox carvings on the walls and on top of the entrance door and the history of the Khachkars (Cross Stones).
The acoustics inside the main cathedral is amazing.. Anyone standing there and singing, particularly by the northeast pillar would sound like an entire choir.
Visiting Geghard on Sunday mornings is an enthralling experience with beautiful singing of the choir and the beautifully groomed animals brought for sacrifice after the service.
Outside of the entrance gate, there are small ledges on to which visitors try to throw stones. If a stone remains on the ledge then the thrower's wish is supposed to come true.
Upon entering or exiting the monestary on the lower level where there is spaces for cars to park, a group of 3 or 4 musicians play wind instruments as tourists enter and there are also local elderly villagers who come there everyday and try to sell their home-made sweet breads decorated by Armenian letters spelling "Geghard"..
It is an amazing sight and I would definitely recommend people to visit Geghard on their first visit to Armenia..
Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery can be made into a half a day trip from Yerevan. They are situated east of Yerevan.

Directions: East of Yerevan, passed Garni Temple.