SYUNIK, Armenia (Combined Sources)–A multimillion dollar project to rehabilitate and develop the medieval monastery of Tatev in southern Armenia is underway. Its goal is to transform the complex into an historical and cultural focal point in Armenia.
The $20 million program is being financed by the Ruben and Veronica Vardanian Foundation, the “Armenia 2020” program and ARGA Foundation. Carried out under the auspices of the National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenian, the project is scheduled for completion by 2012.
The rehabilitation project will also establish an educational and research center in Armenia’s southern region of Syunik, laying the foundation to promote spiritual, scientific, and educational life. A cableway system will be built from the Vorotan gorge to the Monastery, facilitating easy access to the remote site, perched
The development of the region’s tourism and agriculture industry is also on the agenda of the ambitious project.
The jewel of medieval Armenian architecture, Tatev, was constructed between the 9th-13th centuries and sits at the center of Armenia’s Syunik province and was its medieval political and spiritual center for centuries.
The access to it is very complicated due to the terrain features. Nevertheless, the true lovers of unique ancient monuments do find ways to visit this masterpiece of medieval architecture. The monastery was the largest center of philosophy and science in medieval Armenia.