Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery, Medieval monastery in Sugovushan, Azerbaijan.

Yeghishe Arakyal Monastery is a medieval religious complex featuring a main church, seven chapels, a burial ground, and multiple stone structures positioned along a mountainside. The site follows the natural topography of the Mravsky ridge, where large rock formations frame the buildings and pathways throughout the compound.

Founded in the 5th century by Vachagan, king of the eastern Armenian lands, on the site of a pre-Christian sanctuary called Mihr Nersehea. The relics of Saint Yeghishe were brought here from Horrek Monastery, giving the complex its name. The main church dates from 1165, and an inscription over the gavit door records its construction in 1284. In the Middle Ages the monastery was a centre of learning in Artsakh, producing and holding manuscripts.

The monastery is named after Saint Yeghishe, a follower of Apostle Thaddeus, reflecting the deep religious roots of this mountain region. Believers used the site across centuries as a place of prayer and gathering, evident in the layout of its multiple chapels and burial grounds.

The monastery is accessible via forest paths that wind through large rock formations on the Mravsky ridge, requiring sturdy footwear for the uneven terrain. Walking is the most practical way to reach and explore the site, as the rocky landscape and natural slopes make vehicle access impractical.

The monastery also bore the name Jrvshtik, after a waterfall in the deep gorge on its south side. Its seven chapels, built of rough local stone, served as tombs: besides Vachagan III, they hold Melik-Adam of Jraberd (18th century) and Bishop Melikset.