Goshavank

12th-century monastery with an exquisite khachkar

• Area Tavush
• Type Monastery
• Time needed 45m

Goshavank is a well-preserved 12th and 13th-century monastery in the village of Gosh, in the forested hills south-east of Dilijan. It is best known for a finely cut khachkar standing beside the churches, often held up as the high point of Armenian cross-stone carving.

Getting there

About 103 km from Yerevan, roughly 1h 53m of driving, by the Dilijan road and then a side turning through Chambarak-bound country lanes. The road reaches the monastery gate.

What you see

The compact group includes two churches, a gavit, a two-storey building usually described as a library with a bell tower above it, and a small chapel on the slope behind. The famous khachkar stands near the main entrance, its surface worked into dense lace-like patterning. Inside, carved capitals and inscribed stones repay a slow walk round.

What to pair it with

Lake Parz lies on the same side road, and Haghartsin and Dilijan's old quarter are a short drive away.

When to go

Any season works, with autumn colour in the surrounding woods in October. The site is busiest in the middle of the day in summer when tour groups arrive from Dilijan.

What is hard about it

There is very little shade in the courtyard, and the village setting means parking and souvenir stalls crowd the approach. The khachkar is protected behind a rail, so close inspection is limited.

Common questions

Is there a ticket?

Entry to the monastery grounds has been free, as at most working Armenian monasteries. [VERIFY — confirm current details]

How long should I allow?

Around 45 minutes covers the churches, the khachkar and the chapel on the hill behind.

Can I walk here from Lake Parz?

There is a marked walking route between Lake Parz and Gosh through the forest. It takes several hours, so plan transport at one end.

Nearby

• Haghartsin MonasteryMonastery complex set deep in beech forest
• MakaravankRichly carved monastery high in the forest
• Dilijan National ParkForested park known as "Armenian Switzerland"
• Lake ParzForest lake with walking trails near Dilijan
• Nor VaragavankForest monastery above Varagavan
• JukhtakvankPair of churches in the woods near Dilijan

More of the same kind

• Geghard MonasteryPartly carved into the rock face, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Havuts TarRuined monastery reached by a hike across the Azat gorge
• Kecharis Monastery11th-century complex in the ski town of Tsaghkadzor
• Aghjots MonasteryMonastery tucked into the Khosrov forest edge

Part of these routes

• Dilijan forestsForest monasteries, Lake Parz and the green hills of Tavush.
• Monasteries of the northThe Debed canyon, then the forests of Tavush.
• Lake Sevan and DilijanHigh lake shores, khachkar fields and the green hills of Dilijan.
• Grand tourFive days from Yerevan down to Tatev and back north through Sevan.