Individual / Mughni, Hovhannavank, Saghmosavank, Tsaghkevank

• Surb Gevork Monastery in Mughni
• Hovhannavank monastery complex
• Saghmosavank monastery complex
• Tsaghkevank Monastery

The first stop of the tour is Surb Gevork Monastery in Mughni. According to the 17th century historian Zakaria Sarkavag, Surb Gevork Monastery was founded by the monastic order of the Hovhannavank Monastery. In all likelihood, this happened in the first half of the 13th century, as a copy of the manuscript was made in Surb Gevork Monastery in Mughni already in 1278. Manuscripts were created here in the XIII-XV centuries, and the monastery itself became a place of pilgrimage. In the 17th century the monastery flourished and was rebuilt twice. In 1632-55, the abbot of the monastery, Bishop Martiros, demolished the dilapidated church and other buildings and erected new ones: a three-nave basilica with two pairs of pylons, walls and cells. However, vardapet Hovhannes completely demolished the building in 1664, and a new one made of  hewn tuf was erected in 1664-69.

The next stop is the Hovhannavank Monastery. The Hovhannavank Monastery, which, along with the Saghmosavank Monastery, is a major spiritual center of the Vachutyans, is located in the gorge of the Kasakh River, in Hovhannavank village. The monastery was built in the IV-XIII centuries. According to Arakel Davrizhetsi (XVII century), Hovhannavank was named so in honor of Hovhan, whom Ghazar Parpetsi appointed instead of himself as the abbot of the monastery. The oldest building of the monastery is dated back to the 5th century. It is a one-nave basilica, the wooden roof of which was replaced by a stone vaulted roof in the 6th century. 

Then we will move to the Saghmosavank Monastery. This Armenian apostolic monastic complex, like the Hovhannavank Monastery, is located near the Kasakh River above a high canyon. The Hovhannavank and Saghmosavank monasteries are located at a distance of 5 km from each other. The Saghmosavank Monastery was founded in 1215, when Prince Vache I Vachutyan ordered to construct the Holy Sion Church here. Later, the temple was overgrown with outbuildings from the western and southern sides: a vestibule (1250), a book depository (1255) and the Surb Astvatsatsin Church  (1235).

The word "saghmosavank" comes from the Armenian word "saghmon", meaning "psalm". This is the only monastery in the world named after the psalms resounding here. This monastery has excellent acoustics.

The main temple of the Saghmosavank monastery complex belongs to the type of cross-domed churches. Powerful portals and small khachkars inserted into the walls enliven the monumental simplicity of the walls. It is a severe building of dark brown stone, each of its four sides represents a cruciform façade. And a dome on a cylindrical drum rises in the middle. 

In the Middle Ages Saghmosavank was famous as one of the centers of Christian culture in Armenia.

Then we will continue our way to Mount Ara. Tsaghkevank Monastery (monastery of St. Varvara) carved into the rock is located here. The local residents celebrate Christian holidays here. It is here that there is a spring, which, according to a legend, has healing properties. Due to the high content of zinc, the water of the spring contributes to the treatment of a number of diseases (visual impairment, joint diseases, muscle spasms). The locals call this water "holy water". Tsaghkevank is considered to be the grave monument of St. Varvara.

Departure: 10:00

Arrival: 19:30

Place of departure: Hakob Hakobyan str. 1/ next to Mergelyan Institute

1 person - 43.000 AMD,

2-3 persons - 23.000 AMD,

4-10 persons - 20.000 AMD,

11-20 persons - 15.000 AMD,

21-30 persons - 8.000 AMD