The Arutch monastery complex is located near the village of Arutch in Armenia. It contains the ruins of ancient fortifications from the 2nd century BC. The ruins of a 5th century basilica church and gravestones can also be found at the village cemetery. In the 7th century, the Armenian governor Grigor Mamikonyan made Arutch his winter residence and had the St. Grigor Church built there in the middle of that century. Archaeological excavations from 1941-1951 uncovered the remains of two palace buildings from the mid-7th century, along with tombs, a fortress, and caravan house. Today visitors can enjoy berries sold near the church and views of the surrounding green woods.

2.  The Arutch monastery
complex is situated at the
outside part of the rock in the
western foot of the mountain
Aragatz (Aragatzotn district).
Here preserved are the ruins
of the ancient fortifications
(IIc .B.C.). At the village
cemetery there are ruins of
the basilica church, dated
during Vc. along with several
interesting gravestones. In
the 5th century Arutch was a
winter station for the royal
army and the Armenian
governor Grigor
Mamikonyan(661-682),who
made it his throne-chair.

3.  The Arutch temple (St.Grigor church) is a remarkable
monument of Armenian architecture. By the dictate of
Ghevond, Hovhannes Draskhanakerttsi and Stepanos
Taronetsi, it was built by Grigor Mamikonyan in the
middle of VII century. From inside the temple was
covered with frescos dated during VIIc. (it is now
mostly damaged), which were representing the
Resurrection scene. At the vault of main altar (approx.
7m.) there is an image of Jesus, with a parchment in his
left hand.

4.  . The palace has its rediscovery during 1941-1951,
(period of excavation). This remarkable monument
of the early mid-century architecture consists of
two separate buildings, one of which has columns
and which reminds us of its details and form of
scheme consisting in the Catholicos’s palace in
Dvin.

5.  The second building is located to the east of
the first one. There are also remnants of the
bronze century’s tombs, the old fortress and
caravan-house preserved till today in Arutch.

6.  If you visit to the Church Arutch you can
enjoy the scenery of a green wood nearby full
of mushrooms and berries.

7.  You will have a chance to taste some of berries
sold by peasants sitting near the church, you can
also buy mushrooms, there is also stare were
souvenirs are sold
archeological digs discovered some of the
remnants of the bronze century tombs, the old
fortress and caravan-house preserved till today in
Arutch.