Geghard monastery was founded in the 4th century, according to tradition by Gregory the Illuminator. The complex of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, at the entrance to the Azat Valley. High cliffs from the northern side surround the complex while the defensive wall encircles the rest. The site is that of a spring arising in a cave that had been sacred in pre-Christian times. Geghard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status.

The monuments included in the property are dated from the 4th to the 13th century. The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now it is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury.

The main architectural complex was completed in the 13th century AD and consisted of the cathedral, the adjacent narthex, eastern and western rock-cut churches, the family tomb of Proshyan princes, Papak’s and Ruzukan’s tomb-chapel, as well as various cells and numerous khachkars. 

The main church is Katoghike, which was built in 1215 under the auspices of the brothers Zakare and Ivane. The gavit, partly free-standing, partly carved in the cliff, dates to before 1225, and a series of chapels hewn into the rock dates from the mid-13th century following the purchase of the monastery by Prince Prosh Khaghbakian, who was the founder of the Proshian principality. Over a short period, the Proshyans built the cave structures which brought Geghard well-merited fame: the second cave church, the family sepulchre, a hall for gatherings and studies and numerous cells. The chamber reached from the northeast of the gavit and became Prince Prosh Khaghbakian’s tomb in 1283. The adjacent chamber has carved in the rock the arms of the Proshian family, including an eagle with a lamb in its claws. A stairway W of the gavit leads up to a funerary chamber carved out in 1288 for Papak Proshian and his wife Ruzukan.

The Proshyan princes provided Geghard with an irrigation system in the 13th century.