Shirak Landmarks

Shirak may lack the vibrant diversity of Lori or the lush palette of Tavush, but it holds its own secrets—places that don’t just impress, but leave a lasting mark. Let’s explore five of the most compelling landmarks in Armenia’s northernmost province.

No visit to Shirak can begin without a thorough exploration of its cultural heart—Gyumri. But the journey here leads beyond its boundaries, into quieter, lesser-known corners of the land.

This triple-aisled basilica, built atop a pagan sanctuary, is among the earliest Christian structures in Armenia, dating back to the 4th or 5th century. Once the largest building in medieval Armenia, it still stands—partially ruined, yet commanding.

Located near the village of Anipemza, the site is notable not only for its own history but also for its proximity to the ancient city of Ani, once the capital of the Armenian Kingdom from 961 to 1045. Today, Ani lies just across the closed Armenian-Turkish border, visible but unreachable.

Yererouk remains enigmatic. Greek inscriptions mark its southern wall. Excavations unearthed a large burial site, along with seven or eight sculpted statues—believed to be funerary monuments. A significant number of infant graves have also been found within the basilica grounds, prompting theories of an ancient tragedy. Another interpretation suggests the church was dedicated to John the Baptist and, following early medieval customs, served as a burial site for children who died before baptism.

Yererouk is currently on UNESCO’s tentative list for World Heritage status.

Rising above the left bank of the Akhuryan River, Marmashen Monastery is one of the finest examples of Ani-style cross-domed Armenian architecture. Built from rose-colored tuff, the monastery lies just two kilometers southwest of the village of Vagramaberd.

The complex includes several structures, with the main church constructed by Prince Vahram Pahlavuni between 988 and 1029, as recorded in a detailed inscription carved into its walls. The architect is believed to have been Trdat. Inside the cathedral, silence reigns—only occasionally broken by the soft flutter of a bird’s wings echoing under the dome.

Beyond the central church, one can find the remains of a 13th-century gavit, a ruined round church with four apses, and several burial chambers. Like many medieval Armenian sites, Marmashen suffered heavily during the Seljuk invasions.

The grounds are worth returning to time and again. On one visit, we stumbled upon two deep, clay karases—ancient vessels once used for storing wine—buried in the earth.

Beside the monastery, an apple orchard stretches across the slope—a peaceful place for a picnic. As for the Akhuryan River, its swift current and shallow depth make swimming difficult, but a small waterfall has carved a natural basin into the rock. Local boys leap from the cliffs into the water, though the activity is not without risk.

About twenty minutes on foot from the monastery lies a highland lake, known by locals as Lake Nadi. According to local lore, a Soviet athlete once chose this spot to train for the European Championship. She drowned here, and the lake has carried her name ever since. Reaching it without a guide is difficult. And for those tempted to swim—be warned: even under a blazing sun, the water stays bitingly cold.

Often bypassed by standard tourist routes, Lake Arpi National Park remains one of Armenia’s most underrated natural treasures. Its surroundings are home to several hundred plant species, including a significant number of endemics unique to Armenia and the Caucasus.

But the park’s richness is not limited to its flora. It is the only place in Armenia where the rare Darevsky’s viper resides—though it’s better admired from a distance. Out of the 250 recorded species of vertebrates, over ten are listed in the Red Book of endangered species. These include the European otter, the marbled polecat, and the aforementioned viper. Remarkably, Lake Arpi is the only Armenian site where the endangered Dalmatian pelican is bred.

Perched 2,025 meters above sea level in the Ashotsk region, Lake Arpi is Armenia’s second-largest freshwater reservoir. In 2009, the area was designated a national park to preserve its unique biodiversity. Today, it draws ecotourism enthusiasts in search of unspoiled nature and rare wildlife encounters.

Three to four kilometers from the center of Artik, in the village of Arich, stands one of Armenia’s largest monastic complexes. It also houses a theological seminary and remains an active center of spiritual life.

The buildings, dated between the 7th and 13th centuries, are situated on a rocky ledge near the western slope of Mount Aragats at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. The earliest structures include a basilica and a church dedicated to Gregory the Illuminator. The complex’s centerpiece is the Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), whose construction began in 1201.

One peculiar detail sets this church apart: a loose stone slab on the floor that tilts underfoot. It is said to conceal an entrance to a subterranean passage leading into a gorge—and further still. Local lore claims that these tunnels once connected Arichavank to Ani, the medieval Armenian capital now across the Turkish border.

After a quiet walk through the monastery, one can continue to the nearby village of Sarnakhpyur—literally “Cold Spring”—to taste water from a legendary mountain spring. Reaching the source requires passing through a small cave divided by a wall. The first chamber, once a prayer room, leads to the second, where a cold spring flows from the rock. Locals believe the water has healing properties, and pilgrims travel far to collect it. Tradition holds that Gregory the Illuminator himself once hid in this cave, sustained by the spring during his time in seclusion.

Just beyond Artik, on a barren plateau beside abandoned quarries, stands Lmbatavank—or Karmiravank—a modest yet striking church dating back to the 7th century.

The Church of Saint Stepanos, crowned with an octagonal dome, is a masterful example of early Armenian cross-domed architecture. Within its walls survive fragments of medieval frescoes—rare and precious remnants of a nearly vanished tradition.

The frescoes depict the Ascension of Christ. His figure once appeared in the center, flanked by seraphim and encircled by blazing wheels. Though time has dimmed the colors, one can still make out the base of the throne, the arc of a rainbow beneath it, Christ’s feet, and traces of his robe. At the edge of the apse, two riders are faintly visible—one mounted on a white steed, the other on black. Their faces are blurred, but the composition remains expressive and precisely drawn, full of motion and tension.

According to legend, when Turkish forces reached Lmbatavank, their commander was warned not to disturb the church. It was said to be under divine protection. He ignored the warning—and was immediately paralyzed from the waist down. Terrified, the invaders withdrew without touching a single village or monastery in their path.