Sight guide · Yerevan · Armenia
Visiting Katoghike Church
A tiny 13th-century church, the oldest surviving in Yerevan, standing next to the modern Saint Anna Church.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hayastan Mkrtchyan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Katoghike Church is a religious site in Republic Square, Yerevan. Allow 15 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Republic Square
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history and off the beaten path
- Best months
- April and October–November
About Katoghike Church
A tiny 13th-century church, the oldest surviving in Yerevan, standing next to the modern Saint Anna Church. It was uncovered in the 1930s when a larger basilica built around it was demolished.
Tip: Stop on a walk between Republic Square and the Cascade; it takes a few minutes.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 15 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Republic Square, the grand central square of pink tuff, museums and fountains.
Best time to visit Katoghike Church
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 11°C (52°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- October: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Yerevan has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Katoghike Church is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts and Republic Square.
- No. 16 of the 17 sights in our Yerevan things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Yerevan.
Near Katoghike Church
Also in Republic Square, so you can walk between them:
- Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral — 30 minutes, free
- GUM Market — 1 hour, free
- Vernissage market — 1–2 hours, free
If you like Katoghike Church
- Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum — Tsitsernakaberd, 1.5–2 hours
- Erebuni Fortress — Erebuni, 1.5 hours
- Blue Mosque — Mashtots Avenue, 30 minutes
- Kond district — Kond, 1 hour
Staying near Katoghike Church
Stay in Republic Square ($$$) to walk here: the grand central square of pink tuff, museums and fountains. All areas to stay in Yerevan.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Katoghike Church?
Plan 15 minutes. With Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral nearby, it fits a half-day in Republic Square.
+Is Katoghike Church free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Katoghike Church?
April and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Stop on a walk between Republic Square and the Cascade; it takes a few minutes.
+Do I need to book Katoghike Church in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.