Central Armenia Life —

West end of Central Armenia

Talin Cathedral

• 1 Talin Cathedral.– At the very west end of this region is the town of Talin. Just west of the town center is the huge 7th century cathedral built much in the style of the Cathedral of Ani a few kilometers west, and the Cathedral of Aruch, a few kilometers east down the highway, and worth a visit also. Talin Cathedral also has a smaller, tiled roof church near the entrance to the grounds.
• 2 Dashtadem Fortress.– 6km south of Talin is Dashtadem Fortress, with a castle and church in the middle of a fortress. These are being restored, and are worth a side trip on the way to Gyumri in the north.
• 3 Mastara Church. – This 7th century church, just a few hundred meters off the Yerevan-Gyumri highway, is an excellent example of early Christian architecture.
• 4 Garnahovit Church. – 8km further beyond Mastara Church is the village of Garnahovit with an excellent and quite large restored church with red tile roof from the same period.

On the southern face of Mt. Aragats, 5 Amberd Fortress is a quick trip from Yerevan and a popular escape from the Yerevan summer heat. The fortress looms over a small church, and both overlook the Ararat Valley and Mt. Ararat across the valley. Further up the mountain is a nice lake which is the starting point for the hike up to the southern peak of Mt. Aragats.

Before reaching Amberd, the village of Byurakan offers the ancient 6 Surp Hovhannes Church. Tucked away behind some houses, it is marked with the old Christian cross used before the Armenian cross design came into use. The 7 Byurakan Observatory in the same village was home to Viktor Ambartsumian, a famous astrophysicist, and offers tours during the day, or star gazing at night. Also nearby is the 8 Orgov Telescope, abandoned in its all Soviet glory. All are usually by appointment, though showing up and asking nicely has been known to work.

Ashtarak and Kasagh River Gorge monuments

Hovhannavank Monastery

The picturesque town of Ashtarak is less than half an hour from central Yerevan. It has 3 very old churches standing and 2 in ruins. It is also home to Ashtaraki Dzor Restaurant Complex—well worth a stop for a reasonably priced meal and nighttime entertainment show, all outdoors, and long popular with Armenians.

• A little down the river is Oshakan Village, where the creator of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrob Mashtots, is buried in the village church.
• Just north along the river (and highway) is Mughni, with an interesting church where alternating colors of stone form black and red bands around the cupola.
• Further north is Ohanavan village with 9 Hovhannavank Monastery. This restored monastery is perched atop the cliffs and has a great view of Mt. Ara.
• 10 Saghmosavank Monastery.just east of Artashavan village shares the same great views of the gorge and Mt. Ara. You can hike from one to the other in the gorge. Great architecture, carvings, details.
• Much further north is the town of Aparan, whose inhabitants are the butt of jokes which pin them as not the brightest folk. The very ancient, black 11 Kasagh basilica., just a few meters from the main highway is worth dropping into on your way to Lori Marz.

• 17 Hankavan – An old Greek village, is furthest from Yerevan and offers isolation, hot springs and sparse accommodation.
• 18 Tsaghkadzor – A ski town (see the "Do" section) offers a multitude of accommodation options, a beautiful monastery, restaurants and bars.
• 19 Bjni – Has a grand old church, ruins of a fortress, a gorgeous canyon, and springs.
• 20 Aghveran – Has a good selection of places to stay including the new, luxury Artur's Resort. Nearby are the hot springs in Arzakan.

These are absolutely obligatory stops for any visitor to Yerevan, for good reason. 12 Temple of Garni., a small Roman temple built in the first century by the Armenian king is incredibly sited atop basalt cliffs, and has a ruined bathhouse and the foundations of a temple in the fortified compound as well.

Arguably the most awe-inspiring site in Armenia is the 13th-century 13 Monastery of Geghard. much of which is carved out of the solid stone of the mountain it abuts. Once housing (and still named after) the lance that pierced Jesus' side, it is sited at the end of a canyon, surrounded by steep rock mountains, with fortified walls, holy springs, an upper chamber with unparalleled acoustics and many intricate khachkars. Monastery of Geghard together with the Upper Azat Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The 15 Etchmiadzin Cathedral. founded in 301 by St. Gregory the Illuminator and rebuilt and added to for over 1,700 years now is the heart of the Armenian Church, and seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians. The altar is built over an ancient pagan fire worshiping pit (accessible from the museum behind the altar), the inside has some interesting frescoes, altar, lamps, and thrones. The intricate bell tower entrance is an addition from the 1800s, and the surrounding grounds have gardens with examples of khachkars from throughout Armenia and further. Near the new entrance gates are a few exquisite khachkar examples from Jugha (now in Azerbaijan), which had by far the largest khachkar collection in the world. The thousands of khachkars which remained there were destroyed during this decade by the Azeri government.

Two other important churches in the same town, both honoring Roman virgins who were martyred for refusing to marry Armenia's heathen king are.

• 16 Saint Hripsime Church.
• 17 Saint Gayane Church.

 

Khor Virap

Khor Virap Monastery

Deep in a pit at 18 Khor Virap. Armenia's Christianity began. Imprisoned here for his heretic faith, St. Gregory the Illuminator was not released until he cured Armenia's king of a terrible disease (some legends say he had turned into a boar). The king, in gratitude converted himself, and Armenia with him, into the first officially Christian nation in the world. The fortified monastery sits on a small hill in a very flat Ararat Valley. The view of the mountain is the best you'll get, though the monastery otherwise is not so remarkable. 45 min from Yerevan, this is an easy morning trip, or a quick stop along the road heading to Southern Armenia.

• 19 Teghenyats Monastery.
• 20 Tegher Monastery(Tegheri Vank).
• 21 Saint Stephen Monastery of Goght(Aghjots Vank).
• 22 Khosrov Forest State Reserve. and the Khosrov cave
• 23 Zvartnots Cathedral. – UNESCO site and impressive ruins of a 7th-century Armenian cathedral, right by the international airport which is named after it.

• Mount Aragats – Armenia's highest peak, and a popular climb from mid-July to mid-September when the snow pack is mostly melted.
• Mount Ara – This one has a crater inside it which is a relatively easy climb, and if you head left you can sit upon the nose. Do not descent in steep and slippery areas, the rocks can crumble and you risk severe injury. Stick to the solid, milder slopes.

Other peaks are much more difficult and should be undertaken after consulting a guide or book.