Kecharis monastery
Kecharis Monastery is a medieval Armenian monastic complex dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, located 60 km from Yerevan in the ski resort town of Tsakhkadzor, nestled in the Bambak Mountains. It was founded by a Pahlavuni prince in the 11th century, with construction continuing until the mid-13th century. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Kecharis became a major religious and educational center in Armenia. The monastery suffered severe damage in the 1927 earthquake, and restoration did not begin under the Armenian SSR. Reconstruction efforts were repeatedly delayed due to nationwide crises, including the 1988 earthquake, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Nagorno-Karabakh War, and the blockade of Armenia. Restoration finally resumed in 1998 and was completed in 2000, thanks to the generosity of Vladimir Harutyunian from Vienna, in memory of his parents, Harutyun and Arsenik. The main complex includes three churches, two chapels, and a gavit. A short distance to the west stands another church with its own vestry, near the road leading into the forest. Numerous tombstones surround the complex, adding to its historical atmosphere. Today, the fully restored monastery is clearly visible from the ski slopes and remains a popular destination for tourists, pilgrims, and history enthusiasts.
