Impregnable fortresses of medieval Armenia

$150.00

1 day(s)

from January to December

Tour countries:: Armenia
Type of tour:: Historical, General

Itinerary: Yerevan - Ashtarak - Saghmossavank - Amberd - Yerevan
Duration: 7 hours

Ashtarak (meaning "Tower" in Armenian) is the administrative capital of Aragatsotn region, spread out in and above the gorge of the Kasagh River. The city is endowed with old churches, interesting museums, and some ambitious restaurant/hotel/casino complexes suitable for lengthy carouses. The town of Ashtarak has the little church of Karmravor, a cute ancient little red tile roof church, photos of which usually look like a watercolor painting (look the above church). With an old bridge and other old churches, Ashtarak is a very pleasant town to explore.
Saghmossavank. Saghmossavank medieval monastery is situated in the breathtaking site, at the deep canyon of Ashtarak. Sgmossamvank is translated as "monastery of psalms". According to the tradition when the first church of the monastery was built the priests kept reading psalms 40 days long so the monastery was called monastery of psalms
Amberd. The princely fortress of Amberd was built in the 11th to 13th centuries. The principal architectural features of medieval fortress-building have found their reflection in this fortress. Having been built on a naturally well-defended cape, Amberd has for long time served as an important military fort. Next to this secular edifice there is a church built in 1026 by the duke Vahram Pahlavuni.

Sites to visit
-    Town of Ashtarak
-    Saghmossavank medival monastery
-    Amberd Fortress
-    Vahramashen Church on the hill near Amberd