Tatev Monastery and ``TaTever`` Ropeway
Tatev Monastery is a monastic complex of the late 9th and early 10th centuries in Syunik province of Armenia. It is a part of a large tourist complex, which also include the hermitage Tatev Anapat, “TaTever” ropeway (Wings of Tatev), a natural bridge and the cave Satani Kamurj and many other sightseeings. In 1995, the Tatev Monastery was considered to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It was founded in 895-906. According to one of the versions of the origin of the monastery name (“Tatev” is translated from Armenian as “will give wings”), having accomplished the work, the master-builder stood on the edge of the ravine, crossed himself and said: “Lights, Surb, that ta tev” ( “May God grant the Holy Spirit wings!”), and rushed to the abyss. The wings grew from the master, he flew away, but the monastery he built was named Tatev. The second version is associated with the name of St. Eustathius (Eustache), a disciple of the Apostle Faddee, who preached Christianity in Armenia. In these places, the missionary took a martyr’s death, and in the 4th century a church was built over his grave, which was consecrated by St. Gregory the Illuminator.
In 1373 Tatev University was founded by Hovhannes Vorotnetsi in the monastery, which for half a century remained the only current University of Eastern Armenia.
The “TaTever” Ropeway (Wings of Tatev) is the longest passenger ropeway of the pendulum type in the world. It stretches over 5.7 km deep above the picturesque gorge of the Vorotan River, linking two villages: Halidzor (near Yerevan route) and Tatev, located at the monastery. The maximum height above the gorge is 320 m. The cabin consisting of 25 passengers moves at a maximum speed of 37 km/h, passing the path from the departure point to the destination point within 11 minutes 25 seconds.
