Khor Virap Խոր Վիրապ
Artashat, Armenia
Khor Virap is a monastery belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in Lusarat. Established in the 7th century, this cultural heritage monument is one of the most looked-up sights in Armenia.
Planning a visit
The climate in this area features distinct seasonal changes. Summers are hot, with daily highs reaching 32 °C in July and August. During the winter months of December, January, and February, temperatures are cold, with lows dropping to -6 °C. Rainfall is relatively low throughout the year, with the highest frequency of rainy days occurring in May, when there are about 15 days of precipitation. The months of May, September, and October provide milder temperatures, making these times suitable for visiting the monastery grounds.
Khor Virap is situated 34 km from Yerevan and 34 km from Zvartnots International Airport. This location allows for travel to several nearby points of interest. Visitors often include the Garni Temple, 29.1 km away, or the Garni Gorge, 29.6 km away, in their itinerary. Mount Ararat is 30.8 km from the site. Additionally, the Blue Mosque in Yerevan is 33.9 km away, and the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex is located 35.0 km from the monastery. The structure itself is built in the style of Armenian architecture and was designed by Nerses III the Builder.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is April, with about 65 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 4 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 21 | 13 | 6 |
| Average low, °C | -6 | -5 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 2 | -3 |
| Rainfall, mm | 27 | 30 | 41 | 65 | 63 | 37 | 20 | 12 | 16 | 39 | 33 | 24 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
