Tatev

The small rural town of Tatev is perched on a plateau overlooking the Vorotan River.

Tatev monastery, built during the 9-13th centuries, is an Armenian intellectual centre where philosophers, musicians, painters, calligraphers, and monks resided. Sited spectacularly above a sheer canyon wall with stunning views near the Tatev village in Syunik Province in southeastern Armenia, today, most visitors arrive by way of the longest cable car in the world, “Wings of Tatev,” which opened in October 2010. Included in the Guinness World Records as the world’s “longest non-stop double track cable car.” In the 14th and 15th centuries, the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, contributing to advancing science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books, and development of miniature paintings. Tatev University scholars contributed to preserving Armenian culture and creed during one of the most turbulent periods in its history. The monastery is the “best-known site” in Syunik.