Aruchavank

Aruchavank, also known as the Cathedral of Aruch or Surb Grigor, is an architecturally significant Armenian church from the Middle Ages. Located on a rocky plateau at the foot of Mount Aragats in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, it was commissioned by Prince Grigor Mamikonian and his wife between 661 and 682 CE. The site comprises a domed hall single-nave basilica and the remains of a palace complex, highlighting its dual function as both a religious and residential center. Despite damages from earthquakes and its use as a fortress in the 16th and 17th centuries, the church was restored in the mid-20th century. Aruchavank is an important example of Armenian architectural heritage, reflecting the cultural and historical context of its time.