The Cathedral (the church of Saint Gregory) was erected in the 7th century by the Catholicos Nerses III (the Builder). Having completed the cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, Nerses sought to make Zvartnots the seat of the Catholicos. His successors considered this a sacrilege and neglected the cathedral. For 3 centuries it had stood intact until the severe earthquake collapsed it in 10th century. Zvartnots is amazing for its architectural completeness. Surrounding the cathedral are the ruins of the Episcopal Palace. A museum, recently established here, provides detailed information on the cathedral history. |
