The Tatev monastery (Armenian:Տաթևի վանք Tat'evi vank' ) is a 9th-century Armenian Apostolicmonastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southeastern Armenia. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. The monastic ensemble stands on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River.
The Tatev plateau has been in use since pre-Christian times, hosting a pagan temple. The temple was replaced with a modest church following the Christianization of Armenia in the 4th century. Development of the Tatev Monastery began in the 9th century when it became the seat of the bishop of Syunik. In the beginning of the 11th century, Tatev hosted around 1,000 monks and a large number of artisans. In 1044, armed forces of neighbouring emirates destroyed the St. Gregory Church and its surrounding buildings, which were reconstructed soon after that. In 1087, the church of St. Mary was built to the north of the complex.
In the 14th and 15th centuries the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development ofminiature painting. Scholars of the Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian cultureand creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history.
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| Funeral chapel of St. Gregory |
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| Chapel of St. Pogos and Petros |
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| The monastic complex from a closer view |
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