Khor Virap monastery is located on a hill about 40 km from Yerevan and half a kilometer from the Republican border, near the village of Pokr Vedi Ararat region. In ancient times the place was located one of the capitals of Armenia - historical Artashat, built by king Artashes I of about 180 BC According to legend, a huge role in the Foundation of the city was played by the Carthaginian General Hannibal.

Instead of the current monastery once housed the Royal prison. Translated from the Armenian language "pit" means "pit". This is filled with poisonous insects and snakes a deep hole the prisoners were thrown. Based on the Chronicles of the famous historian of Agatangeghos, it was subjected to torment, the founder of Christianity in Armenia Grigor Lusavorich. Grigor was thrown into prison by order of king Trdat III. In prison, the illuminator spent a whole 13 years.

In 642 Catholicos Nerses built above the dungeon chapel, which in its form resembled destroyed after the earthquake, the temple of Zvartnots. After some time the chapel was destroyed. In 1662, instead of it was erected, the existing and the present day Church. The virgin with adjacent on the West side of the belfry.

In the fortified monastery of Khor Virap were previously theological Seminary and the residence of Armenian Catholicos. Vardan Areveltsi, historian of the thirteenth century, founded a school here. In XVIII century the temple was abandoned and only in 1765, the Catholicos Simeon Ave remodeled it.

Currently the monastery ensemble consists of two churches: St. George built by Catholicos Nerses III in 642, and the main Church. Astvatsatsin (Surb Astvatsatsin), built at the end of the second half of XVII century Church. The virgin is a domed building with an adjacent bell tower.

From the territory of the monastery of Khor Virap has amazing views of the famous mount Ararat.