Armenia Memoirs | Ariology

Day11: Day of Exquisite Monasteries

Visiting divine monastic complexes on the way back to Gyumri to spend my last night in Armenia

Makaravank, Sevkar, Kirants, Haghpat, Sanahin, Odzun, Tavush, Lori & Shirak provinces

This was going to be my last day in gorgeous Armenia. I had to have the most fun out of it. As I have already shaped up my route plan, I had to leave very early in the morning. My program consisted of visiting 4 Monasteries, so I had to be as swift as possible.

As Anakhit was aware of my early departure, she was setting up the table already, when I stepped out of my room to the porch. Multiple selection of fruit jams, home-made butter, fresh honey, two types of Armenian cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes were already there on the table waiting for me. Morning sun started to warm the porch at the time I finished my breakfast. I said ‘Hachoutyun, bari or’ (kind of farewell, adieu in Armenia mentioning good luck and good day) and was replied with ‘Bari canapar’ (have a nice trip, bon voyage).

Subsequently, I drove of to get to my first monastery perched on the slope of a hill. Having past the village Achajur, the path leading to the monastery was not so driver friendly.

Makaravank journey

As seen in the video, the route to Makaravank was not so comfortable but I immediately realized that it was worth getting there once I reached the monastery. I’d better talk less and let you enjoy with the pictures from this wonderful monastic complex.

Makaravank

Makaravank

Makaravank

Makaravank

Makaravank

Matenadaran

Makaravank

Makaravank

Makaravank

To whom it may interest, Makaravank is located on the slope of Paitatap Mountain near the Achajur village. The most prominent detail about the construction was the building material of this exquisite monastery. The main structure consists of large pieces of roughly hewn red tufa.

Here I also attach the site plan of the monastery for those who are interested in architecture...

Having completed my visit at the monastery, I, as usually, get on my way to follow my daily plan. Similar to my previous road trips, I frequently stopped at some places worth photographing. So, on my way between Makaravank and Haghpat, I first halted near a former aqueduct in Sevkar.

Surpassing Sevkar

Next, I found a conservative church on the side of my road situated on a slope of a hill again.

Surpassing Sevkar

Surpassing Sevkar

Then, surpassing the hills and valleys, I felt the urge to stop and take a picture of this hand carved apostolic monument right in front of an amazing panoramic view.

Surpassing Sevkar

Once again a fascinating landscape view from the top of a hill! How wouldn’t I stopped and took a picture? So there it is!

Saghmosavan Road

Surpassing Kirants

Saghmosavank

Surpassing Kirants

After those awesome views, I headed to my next destinations, Haghpat & Sanahin Monasteries. Both Monasteries are placed and secured in the World Heritage Site List.

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Saghmosavank

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Saghmosavan

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Haghpat

Mikoyan Brothers Museum

Two brothers, Anastas and Artem were by far the most famous brothers in Armenian history. As Mikoyan brothers were raised in Sanahin, this museum in the village is dedicated to their past lives. Follow the link for further information about Mikoyan Brothers.

Sanahin

Sanahin

Sanahin

Sanahin

Sanahin

Sanahin

Sanahin

Well, having finished my tour at two incomparably beautiful monastery sites, drove off to my last destination, an exceptional church called Odzun. I repeated one of my routine stops at the edge of roads having a skyward view united with great landscape.