Akhtala Monastery

Akhtala (Armenian: Ախթալա), also known as Plindzahank, Pghndzahank (Armenian: Պղնձահանք) or Phindzavank, is an ancient Armenian monastery and fortress built in the 10th century. It stands on a small plateau above the picturesque Debed River gorge in present-day Lori Province.

Originally founded as a monastery of the Armenian Apostolic Church, it was transferred in the 13th century to Chalcedonian Armenians and for a long period became one of their leading spiritual and artistic centres under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The monastery was abandoned in the early 18th century, but in 1802 it was restored and became a religious centre for Greeks living in Transcaucasia. Today, Akhtala belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church and continues to attract visitors and pilgrims from around the world.