Geghard monastery is a famous monastery of Armenia, located in the northeast of the Republic, 7 km from the village of Garni, higher up the gorge of the Azat river, surrounded by majestic nature. The main point of reference on the way to the monastery is the figure of a lioness, mounted on a high pedestal near the sharp bend of the road that suddenly overlooking the monastery.

Date of Foundation of the monastery is still not installed. There is the assumption that in the beginning of the IV century on this place was located the monastery, which was called ayrivank, that in translation from Armenian means "cave monastery". Ayrivank lasted until the IX century when the complex was destroyed by the Arabs.

The existing complex of Geghard is dated to the XII-XIII century The first of the ensemble, not later 1177, was erected the chapel of St. Gregory the Illuminator. The chapel is located high enough above the road, about 100 m from the entrance to the monastery. The appearance of the chapel enliven the khachkars with various ornaments and preserved small fragments of frescoes.

The main and traditionally the most revered Church of the complex is the Church. It was built in 1215 and is situated immediately opposite the mountains. On the corners you can see the chapel with the arches and stairs that protrude from the wall. Ten years later was attached to the Church four-columned porch. With the main Church is directly connected attached to rock the sacristy Vestibule, erected in the first half of the XIII century the Narthex was used for training, meetings and for receiving pilgrims.

The completion of the first cave temple monastery - Evazan - refers to 1240, it was carved on the spot, previously located here ancient cave with a spring.

In the second half of XIII century Geghard monastery came into the possession of Prince Ask Historian. For a short time here was built several cave structures, the second cave, with Church and cloisters, halls for meetings and training. Special prominence to the monastic complex of Geghard gave relics, the most important of which is the spear of Longinus.