The pagan temple Garni was built in the 1st century AD by the armenian king Trdat. The temple Garni is the only monument connecting with the era of paganism and Hellenism, dedicated to the sun god Mithra. The temple is built according to the rules of the classical Greek architecture and looks very similar to the famous temple of Athens in Greece.

The monastery was built in the 4th century by The First Armenian Catholicos - Gregory the Illuminator. Initially it was called Airivank (cave monastery), then was renamed Geghard, which means . The name of the monastery originates from the spear of the Roman soldier who pierced the body of Jesus Christ.