Our morning started with a “flight” on the aerial tramway (cable car) to Tatev Monastery. It spans 3.5 miles and is 1000 feet at the highest point above the Vorotan Gorge. Like being in a helicopter!
On the other side is Tatev Monastery perched on the edge of the gorge. The monastery was originally founded in the 4th century, but most of the current structures were built between the 9th and 13th centuries.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the monastery was home to the University of Tatev, an important medieval Armenian university that played a crucial role in preserving Armenian culture during a turbulent period.
Lunch included a visit to a local potter’s studio and a delicious home-cooked meal.
Orbelian’s Caravanserai, also known as Selim Caravanserai, is a well-preserved medieval roadside inn built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian to provide shelter for travelers and their animals crossing the Vardenyats Mountain Pass, a route on the historic Silk Road. Conditions could be extreme – especially in the winter. Built from basalt blocks the interior includes a large hall with stone troughs between pillars for animals and a tiny separate room for travelers.
The caravanserai was an important stopover for merchants traveling between Europe and the East. It fell into disrepair during the 15th and 16th centuries but was restored between 1956 and 1959.
I have never been to Armenia, but you have convinced me it is a hidden gem. The pictures are wonderful.