Cognitive and meaningful tours to different directions in Armenia
1st direction: Yerevan-Goris-Khndzoresk-Yerevan
Goris is a town in Syunik region 240km far from the capital Yerevan and 70km far from the regional center Kapan. It is located on the bank of the river Varakn (a stream of Vorotan).
Goris was founded in 1870 as the center of the province Zangezur of the Elizavetpol state. It got a town statement in 1885 by the Russian Empire. It has 24 villages. The town is situated on strategically important Yerevan-Stepanakert highway. In the Eastern part of the town is situated Old Goris (Kyores) or Goris village, which is a range of cave habitats. In the place of the present town was an uninhabited area till 1870. In the eastern part of Goris there is a hill which is considered a symbol of the town which is called Barrier of Last.
On the slopes of a deep gorge, in the lap of the attractive rocks is situated a huge caved habitat. It is an inexplicable impression when you look at the caves on the inaccessible rocks of Khndzoresk. The cave village stretches about 3km; it used to have 3000 houses and a population of about 15.000. The houses of the village are mostly caved in the rocks. There have been 2 churches and 3 schools here, which confirms the presence not only of a large population but of a rapid cultural and spiritual life. The tomb of the famous Armenian general Mkhitar Sparapet is located in this gorge. The oldest written record about Khdzoresk is dated to the XIII century done by the historian Stepanos Orbelyan from Syunik. The two banks of the gorge are connected by a long bridge built in 2012. Its length is 160m and the height is 63m.
2nd direction: Yerevan-Ukhtasar-Zorats stones-Tatev-Yerevan
In Ukhtasar, in these mountains near the sky and God the human being settled from the ancient times. This is confirmed by the petroglyphs retained in Ukhtasar 3000-3300m above sea level dated to the V-II centuries B.C. In the petroglyphs is depicted yhe whole richness of the fauna of Armenia reproducing the representatives of the fauna of that period such as straight-horned and spiral-horned goat, mouphlon, bear, panther and other animals. There are many pictures of hunters armed with arches and arrows, spear, lance and shield. Several petroglyphs were brought to the city and exhibited under the open sky in order to make them accessible for those who are interested in them.
In Syunik region near the town Sisian is situated one of the ancient monumental complexes Zorats stones (Karahunj). It was built in the VI century; it has been a sacred place and observatory. In the most part of the monuments are done holes which correspond to the disposition of stars of that period of time.
Tatev monastery is a medieval monastical complex 35km to the south from the town Sisian near the village Tatev. It was founded in the IV century. The general Tatev monastery built in 906 (Apostle St. Yevsthaddeus’ vow) has been a spiritual-cultural center, a large monastical establishment in the province Tsghukq of Syunik region of the Greater Armenia. During the V-VIII centuries it used to be a leading school center, since the end of the VIII century it has been the sitting place of the episcopacy of Syunik. The episcopacy of Tatev used to have 47 own villages. In front of Tatev monastery, to the south on the other side of the gorge is situated St. Astvatsatsin church of the historical village Tamalek built by the bishop Hakob in the middle of the X century. Near the eastern wall is steadfast a khachkar of XIII century with the record of the priest Hovhannes.
3rd direction: Yerevan-St. Gayane church of Jermuk-Kechut reservoir-Hot springs-Yerevan
St. Gayane church carries the name of the virgin Gayane and is located in the town Jermuk in Vayots Dzor. It was built by the charity of Ashot Arsenian and consecrated on the 17th of November, 2007 by His Holiness Garegin II the Catholicos of All Armenians. There is a record concerning the construction of the church inside of it above the western door:”During the reign of His Holiness Garegin II and the leadership of Holiness Abrahamay bishop the church of St. Gayane was built by the charity of Ashot Arsenian in 2007, by the architect Samvel Aghajanian”. The interior of the church is ornamented with 6 large icons, on which are depicted the pictures of crucifixion of the Christ, the Armenian return, the pictures of Mother of God and the virgin Gayane. The murals of the four evangelists are depicted between the cupola and four columns and in the cupola it is written:”Thank you Holly God for listen to our prayer”.
The territory of the village Kechut is 3414 hectare and the present population is 967. The village is situated in the administrative territory of Jermuk 30km to the north-east from Vayk on the intergovernmental road Yeghegnadzor-Jermuk, in the north of the mountain range of Zangezur 2000m above sea level. Not far from the village is the reservoir of Kechut from which starts the water-pipe tunnel Arpa-Sevan (its construction started in 1963). The water-pipe Vorortan-Arpa was put into operation in 2004, which carries a part of Vorotan’s waters to the reservoir of Kechut and from there to the lake Sevan for raising the lake to a higher level.
4th direction: Yerevan-Byurakan-Amberd-The lake of Stone-Yerevan
Byurakan is a small village situated in the province Byurakan of Aragatsotn region, also known as Pirtakan or Pirakan. Here is the church of St. Hovhannes and in the vicinity is the church Artavazik built in the 7th century.
Amberd was a medieval fortress-town and castle. It was built (X century) in the historical Aragatsotn province 7km to the north from Byurakan village (on the southern slope of Aragats) on the junction of the rivers Arkashen and Amberd, on the elevation of 2,300m. There are retained the ruins of Amberd castle, its fortress, church, bath-house and the ruins of some other constructions. The castle had a form of an improper triangle. In the vulnerable sectors walls were strengthened with pyramids. The church of Amberd was built by Vahram Pahlavuni in 1026. It is one of those churches which had double-floor pawnshops in the four corners of the cross wings. The church has several records, one of which concerning its construction is written inside of it on the northern wall. The first excavations of Amberd castle were done by the academician H. Orbeli in 1936.
The lake of Stone is located in the region Aragatsotn on the mountain Aragats. It came into being from the glacial coexistences and is being surrounded with snow. The height of the lake is 3207m, its surface is 0.12 km² and the depth is 9m.
5th direction: Yerevan-Kobayr-Akhtala-Yerevan
The monastery of Kobayr or Kobayravank is located in the region Lori near the village Kobayr to the west from the railway station Kober, on the bank of the river Debed in a high and almost inaccessible place. The monastery was built in 1171 by the lords of Kyurikyan branch of Bagratunies. It was one of the Armenian important medieval schools and cultural centers. Kobayr is famous for its highly artistic murals which ornament its four buildings: the big church, the chapel-pawnshop, the column hall and the belfry. In the last two buildings are retained only some small parts of murals. In the big church is retained only the mural of the stage. In the cupola is depicted the picture of Mother of God with the Child, on the both sides are the Archangels, in the middle is the scene of the “Holly Bread”, below are depicted 8 saints with full length, in number of which are St. Gregory Astvatsaban, St. Barsegh, St. Hovhannes Voskeberan and St. Kyuregh Alexandrian. In the chapel-pawnshop are retained only some parts of the murals and comparably the most complete is the one on the stage. On the cupola is the scene of the “Intercession”, in the middle is the scene of the “Holly Bread”, and below- the saints.
Akhtala is a small town of Lori region located on the left bank of the river Debed, on the slope of the mountain Lalvar. The distance from the regional center is 62km to the north-east 740m above sea level. The inhabitants engage in the mining industry and agriculture. In the medieval period the town was known as Pghndzahank (mine of copper). In this period (X century) was built the fortress of Akhtala. Here are retained many other historical-cultural monuments, particularly the monastery of Akhtala, the monastery of Trinity (St. Astvatsatsin, XIII century), the churches Arakelots (St. Gevorg) and Ayanes, the chapels Khachvank and Nahatakavank, and the chapel-Khachkar St. Hovhannes.
6th direction: Yerevan-Tormak-Dendropark and Lore fortress-Yerevan
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Tormak or Tsolmak is a church of the 4th century situated in the region Lori of Armenia.
One of the most attractive places of Armenia is Dendropark (botanical garden) situated 12km far from the town Stepanavan with a territory of 35 hectare. It is composed of a natural forest, decorated plants, alleys of lindens with small leaves and other wild plants. The most part of the plants is brought from the Botanical garden of Yerevan, as well as from many other countries, such as Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, from the Far East and so on. Many breeds of plants are received from Germany, France, Portugal, China and USA. Now here are represented more than 500 breeds of plants.
Lori or Lore fortress is located 5km to the north-east from Stepanavan on the left bank of Dzoraget. It was founded by David Anhoghin probably in 1005-1020. After conceding the town Shamshulde to the Georgian king Bagrat III in 1065, Kyurike I (1049-89) made Lori the capital of Kyurikyan kingdom. Lore was built from the local basalt. The town was provided with water through the clay tubes from the sources 5km far from the town, and with the technical water- through the open irrigation ditches flowing over the tubes. In the fortress Lori were found tools, weapons, coins, decorations, different clay jugs and pipes, glass jugs, porcelain, faience, bone and stone objects, which make us to consider that many branches of handicraft were developed here. There are many things imported from other countries as well, particularly from Georgia, Iran, Middle Asia and Mijagetk.
7th direction: Yerevan-Odzun-Sanahin-Haghpat-Kobayr-Yerevan
The church of Odzun is considered to be a Christian sacred place of the 1st century. According to the legend in the 1st century the apostle Thomas came to Odzun and in the place of the church anointed priests and bishops, and the name of the church comes from the word “otsel (anoint)”. The apostle brought the swaddling clothes of Christ, which now are buried under the church vestry. Above the southern door of the church there is a record of the 6th century proving this fact. In the place of the church still in the 4th century Gregory the Illuminator and the king Trdat III built a basilica type church without a cupola, which was destroyed by the earthquake of the 5th century and thenthe present church was built in the 6th century. Later on they had some suspicions about the presence of the Christ’s swaddling clothes and moved a stone of the vestry and when they made sure themselves of the truth of the legend the hole was reconstructed with 3 big stones. Here are retained more than 20 sculptures of the 4th century having a world-wide value.
An ancient monastery Sanahin is situated not far from the town Alaverdi, on a plateau. It is a famous spiritual and cultural center. Sanahin monastery was founded in the 1st half of the 10th century by a group of Armenian clergymen pursued by a byzantine Caesar Roman I. The monastery is located in the center of the village in the same place where, according to the legend, Gregory the Illuminator erected a cross in the 4th century. According to the historian’s records, Sanahin monastery is older than Haghpat (“sa na hin” means “this is older than that one”). It was recognized as the spiritual center of Lori kingdom by Smbat II Bagratuni in 979. It consists of spiritual and worldly buildings of the 10-13th centuries surrounded by a wall. A part of the monastery buildings is destroyed by the conquests of Persians and Seljuk. A great damage caused the earthquake of 1139. The oldest church is St. Astvatsatsin built by Abas I Bagratuni in the 10th century from gray basalt. It’s rectangular from outside but from inside it’s a crosswise building with pawnshops in the four corners. The present cupola was probably reconstructed in 1652. In the west side of the church is the vestibule built in 1211 by Vache Vachutyan.
The word Haghpat means a firm wall or a trap, a noose. It is one of the famous monuments of Armenia damaged from the foreign conquests and earthquakes. The monastery is located in the south-eastern part of the village. It is made from the local gray basalt. The fortress is formed from spiritual and worldly buildings, the oldest of which is the church St. Nshan founded by the wife of the king Ashot III Khosrovanuysh in 991. The architect was Trdat. It’s rectangular from outside but from inside it’s a crosswise church with double -floor pawnshops in the four corners. It has western and northern main entrances and murals of the 13th century. Adjacent to the church is the vestibule built by Hovhannes Khachentsi in the beginning of the 13th century. The previous vestibule, where are retained the tombs of Kyurikyans, was built in 1185 by the daughter of the king Kyurike III Mariam. It is a crosswise building leaned upon the arches. The book depository is a quadratic hall with pyramidal octahedral cupola built in 1258-1262. The hall of the book depository consists of 3 parts. The small vestibule is a rectangular hall where is put the khachkar Amenaprkich (savior) erected by the leader Hovhannes in 1273. Adjacent to the northern side of the vestibule is the chapel of Hamazasp built from the leader Hamazasp in 1257. It is a quadratic hall which roof is leaned upon the arches.
The monastery of Kobayr or Kobayravank is located in the region Lori near the village Kobayr to the west from the railway station Kober, on the bank of the river Debed in a high and almost inaccessible place. The monastery was built in 1171 by the lords of Kyurikyan branch of Bagratunies. It was one of the Armenian important medieval schools and cultural centers. Kobayr is famous for its highly artistic murals which ornament its four buildings: the big church, the chapel-pawnshop, the column hall and the belfry. In the last two buildings are retained only some small parts of murals. In the big church is retained only the mural of the stage. In the cupola is depicted the picture of Mother of God with the Child, on the both sides are the Archangels, in the middle is the scene of the “Holly Bread”, below are depicted 8 saints with full length, in number of which are St. Gregory Astvatsaban, St. Barsegh, St. Hovhannes Voskeberan and St. Kyuregh Alexandrian. In the chapel-pawnshop are retained only some parts of the murals and comparably the most complete is the one on the stage. On the cupola is the scene of the “Intercession”, in the middle is the scene of the “Holly Bread”, and below- the saints.
8th direction: Yerevan-Amberd-Aragats-Lake of Stone-Monastery of Tegher-Yerevan
Amberd was a medieval fortress-town and castle. It was built (X century) in the historical Aragatsotn province on the distance of 7km to the north from Byurakan village (on the southern slope of Aragats) on the junction of the rivers Arkashen and Amberd, on a triangular cape on the elevation of 2,300m. There are reserved the ruins of Amberd castle, its fortress, church, bath-house and the ruins of some other constructions. The castle had a form of an improper triangle. In the vulnerable sectors walls were strengthened with pyramids. The church of Amberd was built by Vahram Pahlavuni in 1026. It is one of those churches which had double-floor pawnshops in the four corners of the cross wings. The church has several records, one of which concerning its construction is on the northern wall. The first excavations of Amberd castle were done by H. Orbeli in 1936.
Aragats is the highest mountain in Armenia and the 4th one in the Armenian Highlands. It has 4 tops. The highest is the northern top-4090m, then the north-western-4080m, the eastern -3916m and the southern-3879m. The length of the foot outline is 200km.; between the tops is 350m deep and 3km wide crater which ties with the environment by the erosion leak of the south-eastern side. The origin of the name Aragats is tied with the God of death and resurrection Aray or with the king Ara the Beautiful (Argishti); Ara+throne (Arm. Ara+ gah) =the throne of Ara. On the slopes of Aragats are reserved traces of an ancient human’s culture and of an irrigation system, near the sources there are big sculptors of fish, dragon stones (Arm. Vishapakarer) as well as many splendid monuments of the medieval architecture (Amberd, Tegher). Aragats is devided to a number of large valleys such as Gegharot, Amberd, Mantash and so on. Many cold springs flow out from Aragats. The thaw, rain-waters and springs give a start to many rivers such as Gegharot, Amberd, Narishd, Mantash, Geghadzor, Tsaghkahovit, etc. There are several beautiful lakes on the mountain Aragats, lakes of Kari, Amberd and Lessing.
The lake of Kari (Stone) is located in the region Aragatsotn on the mountain Aragats. It came into being from the glacial coexistences and is being surrounded with snow. The height of the lake is 3207m, its surface is 0.12 km² and the depth is 9m.
One of the strange and mysterious monuments of Armenia is the monastery of Tegher (1220-1232) located on the slope of Aragats mountain, 3000m above sea level and 50km far from Yerevan. It is difficult to use the term “monastery” for Tegher, because it is a monument consisting only of the church St. Astvatsatsin and the church porch. Here is another detail also, which mixes all the approaching of the world-wide thinking about the church architecture. 2 churches are built just on the vestibule of the monastery which don’t have entrance but they are built according to all the rules of church construction. In this mysterious building are the tombs of a great lord Vache Vachutyan and his wife Mamatkhatun. But there is one more mystery: in the northern pawnshop of St. Astvatsatsin is buried the architect of the building Akhperik. This architect is less investigated as a historical personality but his works, the complexes of Tegher, Saghmosavank and Ohanavank are different from each other having a unique role in the Armenian architecture and make to feel a deep regard towards him and rank him among the geniuses of the Armenian thinking. Tegher is surrounded by a great wall built in 1468. Beside the monastery is situated the famous observatory of Byurakan and the mirror with the diameter of 50m, which takes the second place in the world by its sizes.
9th direction: Yerevan-Gyumri-Marmarashen-Harichavank-Yerevan
Gyumri is the regional center of the region Shirak and the second town of the Republic of Armenia. Gyumri is situated not far from the state border of RA in the central part of Shirak field, on the bank of the river Gyumriget, the stream of Akhuryan. Gyumri was known from the ancient times as Kumayri then Gyumri. After the Eastern Armenia joined to Russia it was recalled Alexandrapol, then during the Soviet Union-Leninakan.
The medieval monastery of Marmarashen is located 2km to the north-west from the village Marmarashen of Shirak region, on the bank of the river Akhuryan. It is formed from 2 groups of buildings Big and Small (or Upper). According to the record of the southern wall the main Katoghike church was built by the lord Vahram Pahlavuni in 988-1029. The second church of the monastery is situated to the north from Katoghike and, probably, was built at the same time; it is the small imitation of KAtoghike as with its plan as with the architectural details. The third church (XI century) is located to the south from Katoghike. It is a domed building with pawnshops in the four corners.
Harichavank (in the past-Ghpchavank) is an Armenian medieval monastic complex. The oldest building is the church St. Gregory built in the 7th century. The main church of the monastery by the order of the brothers Zakare and Ivane in 1201; it is a domed crosswise building. This monument is one of the brilliants of the medieval architecture with beautiful ornaments. The monastery has also been a center of education. Avetik Isaakyan used to go to the famous school of the monastery.
10th direction: Yerevan-Jukhtak monastery-Aghavnavank-Matosavank-Yerevan
Jukhtak is an Armenian monastery in Tavush region situated 3km to the north-west from Dilijan on the right side of Dilijan-Vanadzor highway on the slope of a forest covered hill. Jukhtak has a national name, “Jukht” means “a pair” as the monastery has 2 churches: St. Astvatsatsin (St. Mary) and St. Gregory and a cemetery scattered around it.
Aghavnavank is a village in the region of Tavush located in the south-eastern part of the former region of Ijevan.
In front of Jukhtak monastery on the right bank of Bldan River 3,5km to the west from Dilijan is sitated the medieval
Matosavank monastery. The monastic complex consist sof 3 small buildings. There is a medieval cemetery located to rthe north-east from the church. The church of Astvatsatsin was built in 1205.
11th direaction: Yerevan-the cave of Lastiver, the waterfall-Yerevan
The two-storey cave of Lastiver is located in the beautiful gorge of the river Khachaghbyur 3km far from Yenokavank. This area seems to be hiding in the darkness of a dense forest. The stormy river, high trees and straight cliffs make the local nature fairy. The damp climate and the small clouds hanging over the gorge slopes have their unique place in this amazing nature.
During the Mongol conquests of the XIII-XIV centuries the local inhabitants used to have their shelter in this cave.
The cave is situated almost on the straight slope of the gorge. In order to reach the cave people had to build stairs from logs piled over each other. This construction was like a raft that’s why the cave remained in the people’s memory with the name “Lastiver” (go up the raft).
Some painter left a nice bas-relief on the walls of the rooms representing a scene of marriage. The author created these masterpieces during the period of living in the cave as a hermit. According to this the cave has also mentioned with the name “Anapat” (a desert). Below the gorge there is a wonderful waterfall which is an inseparable part of the local nature.
12th direction: Yerevan-Makaravank-the monastery of Tsrviz-Dendropark-Yerevan
The medieval monastic complex of Makaravank is situated on the slope of the mountain Paytatap 3km to the south-west of the village Achajur of Tavush region. According to the record of the khachkar located in the south the main church was built in 1205. The complex of Makaravank with the originality, richness and differences of its ornaments is ranked among Akhtamar, Bgheno, Noravank and Gandzasar, taking an important place in the Armenian architecture.
Moro Dzoro monastery (or the monastery of the gorge Mori, or the monastery of Tsrviz) is an Armenian apostolic monastery situated on the right bank of the gorge in the south-west of the village Lusahovit (former Tsrviz) of Tavush region. It was built in the 5-7th centuries. According to the original texts done on the walls the Georgian lord Georgi (1156-1184) set the monastery free of the taxes. It is also known that the cupola was renovated by Ivane Zakaryan in 1213. The whole monastery was renovated in 1980 and now it is in a well condition.
Denropark (botanical garden) is also located in the region of Tavush, in the town Ijevan.
