Sights in Tatev
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Satan's Bridge
At the bottom of the Vorotan Canyon are mineral springs and Satan's Bridge. Legend tells that villagers fleeing to Tatev were blocked by the raging river. Before the invaders attacked, a bridge was magically created by a huge falling rock and the people were saved. The site includes two natural spring pools so bring a swimsuit. Just past the second pool is a steep slope that leads down to the river.
A rope and ladder are on hand to help you down, but it's very dicey and potentially dangerous as you are literally putting your life in the hands of the rope. A caretaker may be on hand to help you down - if he is not then just forget it. If you do make it safely down the ladd…
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Surp Grigor
The 11th-century Surp Grigor church nestles next to Surp Poghos-Petros, and there's a masterfully miniaturised chapel above the gatehouse. The fortifications, added in the 17th century, have been restored and are full of dining halls, towers and libraries. At the monastery's peak some 600 monks lived and worked at Tatev, and national icon St Grigor Tatevatsi (St Gregory of Tatev, 1346-1409) is buried here.
In the monastery'scourtyard, look for the 8m octagonal pillar topped by a khatchkar. The 9th century monument is said to have predicted seismic activity (or the roar of hooves by approaching armies) by shifting.
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Surp Poghos-Petros
A steep climb up the south side of the Vorotan Canyon turns left before Tatev village. The great fortified monastery's main church of Surp Poghos-Petros was built by the bishops of Syunik in the 9th century to house important relics. There are faint signs of frescoes, intricate carvings and portraits of the main donors on the northern side.
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Stone Shelter
The road to Tatev turns south of the main highway and reaches the northern edge of the gorge at Halidzor. Near the start of the descent is a gorgeous little cone-roofed stone shelter, at the end of a ridge; it's well worth stopping to look.
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Petroskhatch Mountain
The scenery around Tatev is gorgeous and there is plenty of scope for short hikes. One trail heads north to the top of Petroskhatch mountain, 4km away from Tatev (the round-trip hike takes under three hours).
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Svarants
The scenery around Tatev is gorgeous and there is plenty of scope for short hikes. One trail leads to Svarants (population 100) a hamlet 30 minutes walk away on the other side of the valley.
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