The big, round, black fortress on the top of the hill overlooking Gyumri is a good spot to take in the view. It once protected the Russian Empire from the Ottoman Empire.This building made of black tuff is the southern castle of ancient Alexandrapol fortress. Because of the black tuff the locals use Black Fortress…
Lernakert is a picturesque hamlet with cobble stone streets and old, though ruined, traditional stone houses. In the center of the village, stands a simple 4th century basilica devoted to St. Hovhanes Mkrtich (St. John the Baptist). Don’t leave before paying a visit to Artem Mkrtchyan, a khachkar maker, who made all the stone crosses…
An 11th c. Silk Road caravanserai was rebuilt by Jrapi when the Akhurian resAn 11th c. Silk Road caravanserai was rebuilt by Jrapi when the Akhurian reservoir was constructed. A “caravanserai” was a roadside inn built to shelter people, ervoir was constructed. A “caravanserai” was a roadside inn built to shelter people, goods and animals…
There is not much left to Horom Citadel. The once great fortified city is now little more than a collection of stone walls. We visited in September 2015 and spent a half-hour or so walking the ruins. With a bit of imagination it is very easy to see the ancient city. Climb to one of…
An archaeological site in the village of Beniamin is one of the best examples of Shirak’s culture from the 5th-2nd c. BC, when the province was a part of the Achaemenid Empire. The excavations comprise the foundations of a royal palace, a fortress, numerous buildings, columns, streets and other artifacts which cover a large area.…
The most breathtaking view in Shirak Province is looking across the Akhurian The most breathtaking view in Shirak Province is looking across the Akhurian River gorge into Turkey at the ruins of Ani, the medieval capital of the Armenian River gorge into Turkey at the ruins of Ani, the medieval capital of the Armenian kingdom…
There certainly is not much left to Gusanagyugh Fortress. You can see the ruins from the main street that runs through Gusanagyugh and then you can climb up to the Fortress (just a very short climb). You’ll find the remains of two tall walls, and two circular areas. The tallest wall might be nearly 20…
Musayelyan is situated in the foothills of the Bazumi Ridge, 2000 meters above sea level. The village offers a unique opportunity for tastings at Ashotsk Cheese. Since its foundation in 1973, The Ashotsk Cheese Factory is the largest enterprise in Armenia producing hard and brine cheeses. Its wide range of assortment includes Emmental, Dutch cheese,…
A visitor center in Ghazanchi village has a permanent exhibition of endangered species and organizes field trips on foot and by horse, along with bird watching and crosscountry skiing. There is no standard souvenir shop, but some medicinal herbs and locally produced honey can be purchased at the center. The recently established visitor center has…
“Sepasar” Fortress (4th-3rd mil. BC) represents the Bronze Age Cyclopic castle’s ruins at the top of the Sepasar hill. The site is under active archaeological excavations. A small medieval chapel with a sacred gravestone (possibly a fallen dragon stone) is located next to it. Detailed information about the site can be obtained from Larisa Yeganyan,…