The monastery-fortress Khor Virap is an architectural monument of the 17th century. located on top of a hill, about 40 km. from Yerevan. From the territory of the monastery, due to the special proximity, an unusual view of the legendary Mount Ararat opens. This is the location of the ancient capital of Armenia, Artashat, built around 180 BC. e. King Artashes I. On the site of the monastery there used to be a royal prison ("khor virap" - translated as "deep pit"), in which, according to legend, the Armenian king Trdat III imprisoned for about 14 years St.→