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12 hours
Daily Tour
Armenian, English, Russian
This Haghpat Sanahin Odzun monasteries tour from Yerevan takes you to three of Armenia’s most historic religious sites, each with unique medieval architecture and UNESCO heritage.
It lasts about 12 hours. All three sites are located in the north of Armenia, in the forested Lori region.
1.Our first stop is Sanahin Monastery, built in the 10th century on the site of a pagan temple, which was most likely dedicated to the Armenian goddess Anahit. Some parts of the old pagan temple can still be found under the foundations of the main church. But of course, the name had to have a non-pagan origin, so the locals believe that Sanahin comes from “Sa-na-hin,” meaning “this one is older than that one” – implying that Sanahin is older than Haghpat, which is our second stop on the tour.
2.Second stop–Haghpat Monastery is built on top of a hill, offering marvelous views that one can’t get enough of. Like Sanahin, Haghpat is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The name Haghpat is thought to come from the words “hagh” (strong) and “pat” (wall). There are many legends surrounding the name of the monastery. Haghpat was founded in the 10th century by Queen Khosrovanush, wife of King Ashot III, in honor of their sons. It was an important educational center in medieval Armenia.
3.The third and final stop of the tour is Odzun, the name of which comes from the Armenian word otsel, meaning “to ordain.” According to another legend, the church was constructed above the place where Thomas the Apostle buried the swaddling clothes of Jesus Christ. The church has a unique architectural style, and it is truly amazing that it has survived to this day. Odzun dates back to the 6th-8th centuries. It features a massive, beautiful pink dome supported by engraved columns and arches.
All private tours can be changed upon request.
Your private driver and guide meet you at your hotel in Yerevan. All three sites are approximately 3 hours from the capital in the forested Lori region of northern Armenia. An early start allows a relaxed day without rushing.
First stop at Sanahin - a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 10th century, sitting on a plateau above the Debed River canyon. According to local legend the name Sanahin means this one is older than that one in Armenian — a playful dig at its neighbor Haghpat. The monastery was built on the site of a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Anahit, and traces of the original pagan foundations can still be found beneath the main church. Sanahin was one of medieval Armenia's greatest centers of science, medicine and astronomy. Its architectural innovation - connecting the two main churches with a single earthquake-resistant seminary building - remains remarkable 1,000 years later.
A short drive to Haghpat - the second UNESCO World Heritage Site, founded by Queen Khosrovanush wife of King Ashot III in the 10th century, built on a hillside with extraordinary views across the Debed Canyon. Haghpat was one of the most celebrated scriptoriums in medieval Armenia, producing manuscripts, miniatures and scientific works for centuries. The legendary Armenian troubadour Sayat-Nova lived and created here in the late 18th century. The complex includes the Cathedral of Surb Nshan, the Church of the Holy Mother of God, a library and one of the most beautifully carved bell towers in Armenia.
Optional lunch at a local restaurant in Alaverdi or the Debed Canyon area. Can be added in Extras when booking.
The hidden highlight of the route - the 6th to 8th-century Odzun Church, perched on a plateau above the Debed gorge near Alaverdi. Odzun is one of the only surviving early medieval basilicas of this type in all of Armenia and is among the rarest architectural specimens in the Caucasus. Its massive pink dome supported by engraved columns and arches is unlike anything else in the region. According to legend the church was built over the spot where Thomas the Apostle buried the swaddling clothes of Jesus Christ after arriving in Armenia in the 1st century AD.
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