Yerevan-Mugni — Ovanavank — Sogmosavank — Oshakan — Echmiadzin — Zvartnots

We will leave Yerevan towards the city of Ashtarak to the village of Mugni. The Church of St. Gevorg (St. George) is located in a village 2 kilometers north of Ashtarak. The complex includes the main church (1661-1669) with a gallery, a refectory, the abbot's chambers and office premises. The buildings of the monastery are surrounded by a beautiful, well-groomed garden and wall. In the garden of the Church of St. Gevorg there are several khachkars: the oldest - 932, the latest - 1975. Interestingly, the latter was installed at night, so no one knows who brought it. From the Kasakh River to Mugni stretched a secret path of 1 km, which served to obtain water, escape in unforeseen dangerous situations, as well as to save manuscripts.

Among the shrines stored in the monastery of Mugni are the right hand of St. Gevork, the relics of the Apostle Thaddeus and the evangelist Matthew. Pilgrimage Day at the Monastery of St. Gevorg in Mugni is celebrated on the last Saturday of September.

Then we have the monasteries of Ohanovank and Sagmosavank - the monastery is located on the eastern outskirts of the village of Sagmosavan. The distance between them is about 5 km, they stand on the same highway, so they are easily accessible to tourists. Hovanavank Monastery is located in the village of Oganavan, also near the Kasakh River gorge. These monasteries provide an opportunity to experience the power and antiquity of Armenian architecture. Both monasteries were built at the beginning of the XII century. This was the time of the last “golden age” in the history of Armenia, when most of the Armenian Highlands became part of the Georgian Kingdom under Queen Tamar.

Return to the city of Ashtarak and through the village of Voskevaz go to the village of Oshakan, to the church of St. Mesrop Mashtots. The village of Oshakan is located south of Ashtarak, among the vineyards and green gardens occupying the entire space between Ashtarak and Echmiadzin. Here is the burial place of the great enlightener of Armenia Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of writings of completely different languages of peoples – Armenians and Georgians.

Through the picturesque gorge we go to the city of Echmiadzin. The Cathedral is the main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the throne of the Supreme Patriarch - Catholicos of all Armenians in 303-484, and again from 1441; the Church of St. Hripsime - 618 and St. Gayan - 630.

On the way back to Yerevan, we will stop and inspect the ruins of the Zvartnots temple. It is also called the Temple of the Vigilant Forces.

The ruins of Zvartnots make a very deep spiritual and mystical impression even on a non-religious person. You ask why? The answer is, you have to feel it on the spot. Shall we?

• Guide services, transportation costs, entrance tickets.