Preparations for an educational trip (Vayots Dzor)

Preparations for an educational trip

(Vayots Dzor)

It’s been 6 months since our last trip. We spent a great time in Karabakh, and still can’t forget our adventures. But its time to start a new story. This time we decided to go to Vayots Dzor Province. I don’t know if anyone from our group has been there, but if so, this is a great opportunity to go there, see new places, learn new things or remember what you’ve forgotten. As a tradition, I’m going to tell you about one of our destinations, this time its Noravank.

Noravank is a 13th-century Armenian monastery, located 122 km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River, near the town of Yeghegnadzor, Armenia. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery.

Noravank was founded in 1205 by Bishop Hovhannes, a former abbot of Vahanavank near the present-day city of Kapan in Syunik. The monastic complex includes the church of S. Karapet, S. Grigor chapel with a vaulted hall, and the church of S. Astvatsatsin. Ruins of various civil buildings and khachkars are found both inside and outside of the compound walls.

In the 13th–14th centuries the monastery became a residence of Syunik's bishops and, consequently, a major religious and, later, the cultural center of Armenia closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, especially with Gladzor's famed university and library.

So that’s all for now. Photos, review, and some projects – coming soon.