Private Tour: Saghmosavank, Hovhanavank, Armenian Alphabet monument, Amberd

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Hovhannavank Monastery, Ohanavan Armenia

The Hovhanavank Monastery complex is located in the village of Hovhanavan, on the edge of the gorge of the Kasakh River. Perhaps it was dedicated to the Jesus Baptist St. Hovhannes Mkrtich. Traditionally, the monastery was founded in the 4th century, when Gregory the Illuminator built the oldest building of the complex - one - nave basilica. It was rebuilt in 573 BC (the wooden roof was replaced with stone arches). Another restoration was carried out in 1652. The western facade, a big arch, three windows and frescos are well preserved. During the last reconstruction, the emblem of the Vachutian dynasty was depicted on the eastern facade - a giant eagle with a dove in its claws. To the west side is a basilica with an unusual structure. Here there are inscriptions, which date back to the 12th-13th centuries. The main St. Karapet church was built by Prince Vache Vachutyan in 1216-21. It is a cross-shaped inside and rectangular outside dome-shaped structure. A chapel with a four-column central structure adjoins the church and the basilica. About 20 valuable manuscripts preserved in Ovanavank are currently in the Matenadaran of Yerevan.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Saghmosavank Monastery, Artashavan Armenia

The monastery complex Saghmosavank is located on the right bank of the Kasakh River, in the village of Saghmosavan. According to tradition, Saghmosavank was founded by Grigor Lusavorich (Grigory the Illuminator). The St. Sion Church was built by Prince Vache Vachutian in 1215. It is a cross-shaped inside and rectangular outside church with a high cylinder-shaped drum and a conical dome. The facades of the church are decorated with "Armenian hollows". In 1215-35 Vache Vachutian built a four-columned porch adjacent to the west of the St. Sion church, the central part of the ceiling of which has a 12-faceted stone shelter.
To the north of the monastery is a cemetery with khachkars from the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1250 a school was founded in Saghmosavank. The monastery was damaged by a devastating earthquake in 1988, but due to reconstruction, it has since 2000 been standing with its exquisite luxury and mystery. The monastery and the library are a wonderful example of the Armenian architecture of the 13th century. For many years many manuscripts were written, copied and illustrated here, some of which have survived to the present day.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Armenian Alphabet Monument, Artashavan Armenia

Armenian Alphabet Monument is located in Artashavan village of Aragatsotn region, on the Western slope of Mount Aragats. The complex was built in 2005, on the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet. The complex includes sculptures of 39 letters of Armenian alphabet, as well as monuments to the great Armenian thinkers. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tuff. Armenian language is an independent branch in Indo-European language family. Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405; it is used in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Javakhk, in communities of Armenian Diaspora, in different armenological and cultural centers. A rich literature was created in Armenian language; this is a writing of ancient, medieval and modern civilizations. It also has its contribution in world culture.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Amberd Fortress, Byurakan Armenia

There is a medieval fortress Amberd on the southern slopes of the Mount Aragats, away from the hectic cities. It stands on the rocky cliff on the height of 2100 meters protected from two sides with deep gorges at the junction of rivers Amberd and Arkashen. This unique sight is located 50km from Yerevan. There is only one serpentine road leading to it that passes through mountains. That is why it is impossible to get there in winter when everything is covered in snow. The history of Amberd goes back to the 7th century when Armenian princes Kamsarakan started there construction of the fortress. With the time, a small outpost turned into a well-protected fortress. However, the Kamsarakans had to pass this strategic point to another Armenian noble family Pahlavuni, who made it their residence. The great commander Vagram Pahlavuni, who lived in the 11th century, ordered to fortify the complex of Amberd and build there a church later named in his honor – Vagramashen. Despite excellent protection of Amberd, it was invaded by Seljuks coming from Central Asia in the end of the 11th century. Later, in the 13th century, Mongols captured and destroyed this beautiful fortress. No later than a century, Amberd was reconstructed and served as an outpost for several hundreds of years, however today it has only its church preserved. The architecture of Amberd is simple. Walls of the fortress are made of massive basalt tiles that once served to protect from shells and siege weapons. In some places, thickness of walls reaches 4 meters. Foundations of construction and few walls had been preserved inside the fortress. Church Vagramashen was built in 1026 and reached our days practically in its original state. Church architecture is ascetic, as well as the entire fortress and its only exquisite detail is the southern door.

Duration: 1 hour