Duration: | 2 Day(s) - 1 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Culture Tours |
Day 1: Yerevan – Harichavank – Marmashen – Gyumri
Marmashen Monastery is a 10th-century Armenian monastic complex consisting of five churches near the village of Marmashen in the Shiral Province of Armenia. The Harichavank is a 7th-century Armenian Monastery located near the village of Harich. The Cathedral is a cruciform church with two-story sacristies in each of the four extensions of the building. Drive to Gyumri which is known for its old and new buildings, Old Gyumri, and famous food and fruit market. Overnight in a hotel in Gyumri.
Day 2: Gyumri - Spitak – Saghmosavank – Amberd - Yerevan
Drive to the city of Spitak, which also has a tragic history, but a very interesting shape. Visit the art school in the city of Spitak. Continue to the Saghmosavank medieval monastery which is situated at the deep canyon of Ashtarak. Sagmossamvank is translated as “monastery of psalms”. Drive to Amberd, which was built in the 11th to 13th centuries.
Having been built on a naturally well-defended cape, Amberd has served as an important military fort. Next to this secular edifice, there is a church built in 1026 by the Duke Vahram Pahlavuni. Drive back to Yerevan. Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan.
NOTE*: Amberd Fortress is reachable only starting from the end of May until the end of October.
For prices and availabilities please contact us.
Know More About Amberd Fortress of Armenia:
Amberd is one of the most powerful Armenian fortresses remaining from the Middle Ages. It was built in the province of Aragatsotn on the southernmost slopes of Mount Aragats, approximately 10 km north of Byurakan village.
The fortress is difficult to reach, located about 2200 meters over a precipice. As a result, not many excavations have occurred at the site.
Amberd contains many of the characteristics of a feudal stronghold, including a difficult-to-reach location, protected by natural defenses. It had a solid defense system and could supply water to the inhabitants in peacetime and during sieges.
The architecture of the fortress was simple; it was limited to basic needs, especially reliable protection against attacks. Large blocks of its stone walls were designed to take hits from enemy projectiles and battering rams. There are no ornaments, only bright spots of faience plates set into the brickwork.