Sacred wandering: Armenia’s unmissable monasteries

Armenia has a wealth of monasteries – here’s our hitlist of what not to miss.

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Off-the-beaten-track highlights

In the central provinces Around Gavar The most important site in the vicinity of Gavar is the field of khachkars at Noratus but for…

Tatev Monastery

© Norayr Grigoryan, Unsplash According to legend, the architect couldn’t get down when he finished the cupola of the main church. He cried out:…

Etchmiadzin

Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church © Deirdre Holding Officially Vagharshapat since 1995, yet still almost universally referred to by its…

Makaravank

Makaravank is home to a number of fine carvings © Adrian Chan  Spectacularly located on the side of Mount Paytatar, this fine monastery is…

Noratus and the field of khachkars

One of Armenia’s most amazing sights is the field of khachkars in Noratus © Maros Markovic, Shutterstock It is quite impossible to do justice…

Marmashen Monastery

Marmashen is unusual for an Armenian monastery as it is situated within a valley © yug, Shutterstock Located off the main tourist trail, the…

Noravank

Noravank, or ‘New Monastery’, is set against a dramatic mountainous background, particularly striking in the winter © Hovhannes Boranyan, Shutterstock This is one of Armenia’s…

Yerevan

Arabkir Church, Yerevan © Nasser Ansari-Yer Yerevan is the cultural and financial capital of Armenia and has in recent years developed into a pleasant,…

Selim Caravanserai

The long building was constructed of basalt and has only a single entrance at one end for better defence against thieves © Tom Allen With a…

Geghard Monastery

Various stone-carved detail on the side of the Geghard Monastery © Adrian Chan Visiting Geghard on a Sunday morning is an enthralling experience with beautiful…

Tigranakert

The impressive fortress is the centrepiece of Tigranakert © Lukasz Z, Shutterstock Founded by Tigran the Great, this excavated ancient city and fortress are…

Dadivank

Dadivank is notable for its exceedingly complex layout © Maria Oleinik Dadivank, one of the largest medieval Christian monastery complexes in the region, is…

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You marvelled at the Taj Mahal, partied in Phuket and wandered along the Great Wall of China. But there are plenty of other places to discover in Asia.