Taking the world’s longest cable car to Tatev Monastery
In the misty hills of Armenia’s Syunik Province, Tatev Monastery stands as a powerful symbol of medieval Armenian culture. Tatev Monastery is a must-see for anyone traveling to Armenia, famous for its unique location on the edge of a cliff with panoramic views, its deep historical and cultural significance.
History of Tatev:
Founded in the 9th century, Tatev Monastery has been a significant spiritual and educational center throughout Armenia's history. Originally constructed on the site of an ancient pagan temple, the monastery became a vital center for the Armenian Apostolic Church and a hub for scholars and monks in the middle ages. The name "Tatev" is believed to derive from the Armenian phrase "Ta Tev," meaning "give wings," symbolising the monastery's spiritual elevation.
The complex includes the St. Paul and Peter Church, built in 895 AD, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, and various other structures such as a library, dining hall, and monk cells. Tatev's strategic location on a high plateau offers not only a spiritual sanctuary but also an impregnable fortress. There is even an old secret tunnel to get to the hermitage in the valley from the monastery that monks could use to escape if the monastery complex was ever attacked.
What to See and Do
1. Explore the Monastery Complex: Wander through the ancient halls and courtyards of the monastery, and marvel at the intricate stone carvings and frescoes that depict biblical scenes and Armenian history. Make sure to explore some of the outbuildings (you may need to duck through some tight spaces), to see how people used to live. You can see the “hole in the ground” style bread making ovens, still surviving in the old bakery for example. When we went, there were also some exhibitions with artefacts in some of the rooms to the right when you first enter the complex, close to the large bell that still remains. Don't miss the 8th-century oil mill just outside of the monastery complex, which showcases the innovative spirit of the medieval Armenian monks.
2. Take in the Panoramic Views: The monastery's location atop a cliff offers spectacular views of the Vorotan Gorge and the lush green valleys. Bring your camera to capture the breathtaking vistas. There are some particularly beautiful views when looking through the windows of some of the outbuildings.
3. Experience Spiritual Serenity: Tatev is still an active monastery, and visitors can attend services or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere. The serene environment provides a perfect retreat for reflection and meditation. You can purchase a few candles in the little gift shop and go light them in the chapel (different sizes for different prices).
4. Visit the Tatev Hermitage: A short hike from the main complex, the Tatev Hermitage is a secluded retreat down in the valley, where monks once lived in solitude. The trail offers a deeper connection with nature and the monastery's spiritual legacy. You cannot drive here, only hike and it’s quite a challenging walk down. You can see the hermitage from the wings of Tatev cable car.
5. Discover the Devil's Bridge: Located at the bottom of the Vorotan Gorge, this natural bridge is a geological wonder. The mineral-rich waters and surrounding caves add to the mystique of this hidden gem. The more adventurous can swim close to the bridge and discover secret grottos below the springs.
You should build in a bit of extra time to your day if you are going to visit either the Devil’s Bridge or the Tatev Hermitage.
How to get there:
Tatev Monastery is located in Armenia’s Syunik Province, about 250 kilometers from Yerevan. It is about a 4-5 hour drive and offers scenic views through Armenia’s countryside and mountains. You can either rent a car and self-drive, go with a driver (we used GoTrip a lot in Armenia), or join a group tour.
It’s a long drive, but you can also stopover at a couple of other great places along the way. A lot of the group tours we saw included one or two of these options too, alongside some other Armenian activities such as bread making or wine tasting.
There are two routes you can take to get to Tatev from Yerevan:
North via lake Sevan which takes slightly longer
This route takes ~5hrs directly
Worth a couple of short stops by the beautiful Lake Sevan, where you can visit the Sevanavank and Hayravank Monasteries
You could also add 30mins to the journey time to add on Norovank Monastery
South along the border with Turkiye / Iran:
This is the quickest route, taking ~4.5hrs directly
Worth adding 15mins onto your drive time to visit Khor Virap and Norovank Monasteries
Tatev Monastery is located in Armenia’s Syunik Province, about 250 kilometers from Yerevan. You can drive to Tatev directly and park your car there if you prefer, but I highly recommend to arrive in style by cable car…
Take the Wings of Tatev Tramway:
The best way to reach Tatev is by taking the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway (cable car). Starting in Halidzor village, this tramway spans over 5.7 kilometers and takes around 12 minutes, giving visitors stunning views over the Vorotan Gorge. It is apparently the longest reversible passenger cable car in the world and it’s a smooth and exciting way to approach the monastery - try to be one of the first to board the cable car so you can get a great spot by the window to enjoy the views.
There is a car park by the tramway station and a cute little visitor cafe to use the bathroom and get a bite if you get there early and need to wait for your tram. The views from here are amazing too.
The tramway operates at specific hours and can get busy in peak season. It takes around 12mins each way, and only holds up to 30 people, so booking tickets online in advance is recommended!
Tickets can be bought directly on their website:
Roundtrip: 9000 AMD
One-way: 6500 AMD
Top Tips:
There are some beautiful viewpoints on the road not far from the complex where you can get hilltop views overlooking the monastery. It looks even more impressive when you can see the whole complex all at once!