Mount Armagan

Mount Armaghan, a dormant volcano rising 2,829 meters above sea level, is officially listed as a natural monument of Armenia. Yet few know of its existence, and fewer still speak of its secrets. Part of the Geghama mountain range, Armaghan’s summit hides a quiet crater lake—50 meters wide, 15 meters deep—fringed with alpine grasses and the stark calm of highland air.

The climb is steep. The slope is loose and the soil crumbles underfoot. The first steps test even experienced hikers.

At the summit lies a small, nameless lake, still as glass, as if the sky itself had come to rest in a shallow basin. At the highest point stands a modest chapel—known as the Armaghan Shrine. Though the current structure was built in 2009, it rises atop ancient ruins. The origins of those ruins remain unknown. The site is unstudied, undocumented. But the remnants of a cemetery nearby, along with the old tombstones, suggest a history that reaches deep into Armenia’s early spiritual landscape.

Unlike the intricate stonework of traditional khachkars (cross-stones), the carvings here are simpler. No floral motifs, no knotwork. Instead, there are silhouettes of human figures and earthen jugs—symbols of life, prosperity, and sustenance. Pagan markings are etched into some stones: a circle with a central dot, thought to represent the “Heart of the World”—a sign of motherhood, fertility, and the sun. Other symbols are less distinct, worn by time, but their presence speaks of a pre-Christian past.

Inside the chapel, two ancient graves remain undisturbed. The new walls don’t conceal the sense of something consecrated. There are matches and beeswax candles at the altar—free for anyone who comes to pray. Pilgrims from nearby villages continue to visit this mountain sanctuary, keeping the tradition alive.

And from up here, the view of Lake Sevan is extraordinary—wide, wind-swept, and unforgettable.