Tatev Monastery, Big Desert of Tatev, Devil’s Bridge

Hiking trail description
This hike is located in Tatev village of the Syunik region. The area is famous for the Tatev Monastery, which was built in the early Middle Ages and was considered the spiritual and cultural institution of Syunik. The hike begins at the monastery and passes through the wooded, winding trail of the Vorotan gorge. The Desert of Tatev (an ancient monastery, school, and one of the medieval cultural centers of the Syunik province) awaits its visitors in this gorge.
Next on the route is the so called Devil’s Bridge, located over the Vorotan river. It will take you 20 to 40 minutes to explore this area of the gorge. Locals claim that the water flowing underneath the bridge has healing properties; as such, many people come in the summer months to reap its benefits.
The trail ends at the Devil’s Bridge.

Monuments description
The Syunik province is the largest and most mountainous province of the Republic of Armenia. Historically, Syunik (Sisakan) was the name of the ninth state of Greater Armenia. The current Syunik province occupies only a part of historic Syunik. Its greatest difference in elevation is 3,500m, between the Kaputjugh peak and the gorge of Meghri.

The Tatev monastery is a IV century complex that was once a religious and cultural center. In the 8th century, it was named after Eustateus (Tateos) - Thaddeus apostle’s pupil, who preached Christianity in Syunik and was martyred there.
In the 14th century, the Tatev monastery was one of the centers of Armenian culture, wherein a painting school, library and University operated. In 1381-1387, during Tamerlane's invasion of Syunik, Tatev monastery was robbed and burned, losing a considerable portion of its estates. In the late Middle Ages, a gavit (narthex) and a belfry were built on the western side of the large temple. The school of Tatev survived until the 20th century until it was destroyed at the beginning of the century (and later found during excavations in 1981-1982). In 1974-1998 the complex was entirely reconstructed.

The Big Desert of Tatev (Great Hermitage of Tatev) is a medieval Armenian monastery (XVII century, religious and educational center) in the province of Syunik, located on the bank of the Vorotan river. It is one of the valuable complexes of the late Middle Ages. It was of military significance in the XVII century, during the liberation struggle organized by Davit Bek.
The reason for setting up the monastery was the destruction of Harants Desert - located south of the gorge. After destruction of the monastery, the Unity moved to a new place and built the Big Desert of Tatev in 1660.
Tall rectangular walls surround the Big Desert of Tatev. On the southwest of the Desert is Surb Astvatsatsin, a 1663 church made of polished basalt. Beside it is a narthex-hall (built by Melik Yegan in 1743) and a domed small mausoleum (the likely burial ground of the Desert’s founder, Aristakes Vardapet). On the east of the church is a spring and semi-ruined buildings, while on the south stands the refectory with its kitchen, and some living quarters. In the yard there is another group of residential rooms.

The Devil’s Bridge is considered one of the natural wonders of Armenia. With overhangs 150m above the frantic waters. There are mineral springs on and around the bridge, which exert 500-600 thousand liters of water per day, at a temperature of 25°C. Thin jets of mineral water under the bridge form beautiful golden moss-covered rocks.
For centuries, people used this water for various purposes, especially for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Formerly, at a loss for an explanation of its geological processes, locals simply considered it the devil's deed, giving this formation its name.

Legend
After completing the construction of the Tatev monastery, the stonemason master required two sliver planers from the workers. Upon receiving them, the master kissed them each and said, “Let the Holy Spirit give us wings” (“ta tev” in Armenian). Suddenly, wings grew on his shoulders and the master flew away. The workers, who were unable to remove the existing wooden supports without the master, eventually learned that the master was in Constantinople, and sent someone to fetch him. The master refused to return and simply explained the way to take them off. Thus, the monastery gained its name - Tatev, the way the master pronounced.

Flora
The trail passes through a forest of oak and horn-beam, as well as hawthorn, rose hip, wild pear and wild apple, maple and elm. There are primulas, squills and other flowers and herbs that blossom in the springtime.
The prominent rivers of the region are the Vorotan, Voghji and Meghri. Vorotan is the largest river of Zangezur and is famous for its gorge, which reaches a depth of over 800 meters. The river flows underneath the Devil’s Bridge.
The mineral springs of Tatev, Kajaran, Goris, Vorotan (Urut) and many others are well-known here. The Sosi, Zangezur, and Shikahogh state reserves are also in this region. Within them are a number of other valuable and unique species, such as Greek walnut, Araks oak, Greek Silk vine, spindle tree and others.

Fauna
Brown bears, wolves, foxes, porcupines, lizards, snakes, and turtles are often seen in the area. Rare species of skink, cat snake and Transcaucasian rat snake are also seen here.
The songs of forest jays and the common blackbird will accompany hikers during the whole length of the trail. Other species of birds living here are large and black titmice, chaffinches, green woodpeckers, hawfinches, and semi-collared and small flycatchers. There are a number of species of bunting, including the black-headed, the rock, the ortolan, and the corn bunting. The brown and the lesser grey shrikes can be seen in the bushes, while the common redstart, the red-fronted serin and warblers are found in the thickets. Birds of prey include the short-toed snake eagle, the pern, the sparrowhawk, the common buzzard and the hobby falcon. In the low forest one can see the common kestrel, the long-legged buzzard, the booted eagle and the lesser spotted eagle.

Safety and Security
Mobile telephone coverage (via Ucom and VivaCell-Mts) is always available throughout the hike in Tatev village, on the trail of the Great Desert, and Devil’s Bridge. The 911 emergency services operate throughout Armenia in case of any accidents.
Be sure to bring bottled water!

Technical parameters
Best period: April -November
Distance: 251km from Yerevan
Duration: 4 hours
Hiking trail distance: 6.26 km
Walk duration: 2.5-3 hours
Altitude from Sea Level: 995-1,450m
Visible Trail Surface: 100%

How to Get There
In order to reach this trail, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from Yerevan to Tatev village. It is better to take a taxi with a working meter (be sure the driver uses it), or agree on a price beforehand.