The Armenian monastery of Sourp Magar, or the Virgin Mary, was first established in about 1000 AD as a Coptic monastery, and was dedicated to the Egyptian hermit St. Makarios of Alexandria (309-404 AD) whose Coptic (Egyptian Christian) monastery still exists in Egypt.

Its location being at the edge of the cliff and the beginning of a deep ravine is very picturesque. It was also used as a summer resort by the Armenian Church in the early 15th century and became a favorite pilgrimage spot for Armenians on their way to and from the Holy Land until 1974.

Outside a wall on the eastern side a pillar with an inscription in the Armenian language dated 1933 stands.