Yeghegnadzor

The small town of Yeghegnadzor, home to about 8,000 residents and located 120 kilometers southeast of Yerevan, rarely appears on the radar of most travelers. Yet it serves as the capital of Vayots Dzor—the most sparsely populated province in Armenia—stretching along the Arpa River from Areni to Jermuk. While the town itself may not impress at first glance, it offers strategic access to a remarkable collection of historical landmarks and natural beauty within a 20- to 30-kilometer radius. For those interested in medieval architecture and Armenia’s rugged terrain, Yeghegnadzor is worth more than a fleeting stop.

One of the town’s few landmarks is the Agharakadzor Bridge spanning the Arpa River. Built in the 13th century, this stone bridge has withstood centuries of conflict and earthquakes, remaining largely intact. In the center of town lies Momik Park, named after the famed medieval architect who served the Orbelyan princes. Momik was behind the carvings and structures of both Areni and Noravank. The park’s centerpiece is a weathered boulder shaped like an egg—according to local legend, it marks the birth of a vishap, the mythical Armenian dragon.

But the true interest lies in the surrounding countryside.

Just northeast of Yeghegnadzor, near the village of Gladzor, stands Vernashen. Here, the 12th-century basilica of Surb Hakob (GPS: 39.792492, 45.363941) still stands, though no longer used for religious services. Inside, a small museum commemorates Gladzor University, one of Armenia’s medieval centers of learning. Seven khachkars (cross-stones) in front of the basilica symbolize the seven classical subjects taught at the school: logic, grammar, rhetoric, geometry, arithmetic, music theory, and astronomy.

Further north, hidden in the hills near Vernashen, is the abandoned Spitakavor Monastery (GPS: 39.829773, 45.363727), whose 13th-century church bears the hand of the same craftsmen who worked on Surb Hakob. On its western side, a bell tower adjoins the church, its entry richly decorated with relief carvings. In the monastery’s courtyard lies the grave of national figure Garegin Nzhdeh. Even further north are the remnants of Proshaberd Fortress, dating to the 13th century.

To the east, near the village of Shatin, a turnoff from the Sevan highway leads to the Tsakhats Kar Monastery (GPS: 39.890365, 45.353526), perched on a slope above Yeghegis village. The monastic site is split into two groups: a western cluster with the 10th-century churches of Surb Astvatsatsin and Surb Hovhannes, and an eastern one featuring 11th-century Surb Karapet and Surb Hovhannes, the latter with a rectangular burial chamber.

The most practical route to Yeghegnadzor is via Yerevan. Minibuses (marshrutkas) depart from the capital’s central railway station as soon as they fill up; the ride takes about two hours. Yeghegnadzor sits at a key intersection of Armenia’s road network, linking the country’s north and south. Nearly all southbound buses from Yerevan pass through the town, making it a convenient base for exploring the remote but historically rich Vayots Dzor region.