North of Yerevan
Tour 5:
5.3 Hovhannavank/Saghmosavank
There are many historic places in the surrounding areas of Ashtarak that are worth visiting. These places include breathtaking medieval monasteries. Situated 8 km/4.9 mi north of Ashtarak, in the village of Ohanavan, is Hovhanavank monastery (built in 1216), which stands on the edge of the Kassakh River canyon. The monastery was dedicated to John the Baptist and bears his name (Hovhan=John; vank=monastery). The oldest part of the monastery is the single nave basilica of St. Karapet that was founded at the beginning of the 4th century. The wooden roof of the church was replaced in 554 with a thatch cover. The basilica itself underwent renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The centerpiece of the monastery is the cathedral built between 1216 and 1221 by Prince Vache Vachutyan. Between the 12th and 17th centuries, Hovhanavank was an important educational and theological center, where manuscripts were written and illuminated. About 7 km/4,3 mi away from Hovhanavank, also on the edge of the precipitous canyon of the Kassakh River, stands the Saghmosavank monastery. Saghmosavank and the adjacent monastic complex were built by the Vachutyan Princes between 1215 and 1221. There is also a monastic book depository that was built in 1255. Many parchments were written and illustrated here. The architect of the monastic complex was Vardapet Aighbairik.
5.1Yeghvard
5.2Ashtarak
5.3 Hovhannavank/
Saghmosavank
Saghmosavannk ParkMatenadaraCascade
5.4 Alphabet
Park
5.5 Lake Kari
5.6 Amberd/
Byurakan
5.7 Arsacid
Mausoleum
5.8 Oshakan