Dilijan, Haghartsin Monastery, Goshavank Monastery Tour
Armenia. Dilijan
Armenian Switzerland or Little Switzerland is the name given by the locals to the Dilijan Town, nestled amidst lush green mountains. Since the Soviet period Dilijan is known as a resort town, and holds numerous cultural and historical sites.
Haghartsin Monastery
The white monastery is surrounded by the Pambak Mountain Range covered with forests. The largest church of the complex, St. Astvatsatsin Church, was built in 1281. Next to it St. Gregory Church was built in 1071, St. Stepanos Church in 1244 and the refectory in 1248. The famous architect Minas was the one who designed the refectory. Skillfully using cross vaulting techniques, Minas made the interior seem more spacious compared to its appearance from the outside. About 1.5 km west of the monastery is the mausoleum of Bagratuni kings Smbat and Gagik (13th century). Nearby is a cross stone (khachkar) from the same period.
Goshavank Monastery
Situated in the mountainous village Gosh, Goshavank (literal translation from Armenian is “Monastery of Gosh”) is a 12-13th c. monastery. On its place used to stand an even older church Nor Getik that collapsed due to an earthquake in 1188. The name of the village and monastery is connected with the famous writer, scientist and author of the first criminal code Mkhitar Gosh. He took part in the rebuilding the monastery and founded a school here.
The complex includes the central Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (1196), in front of it the Gavit (1197), the elevated Matenadaran (Library) on the north side, the Church of Surb Gregory (1237) on the south, and the flat-roofed Church of Grigor Lusavorich (1237) next to it.
Goshavank is also known for one of the finest and best preserved examples of khachkars, Armenian cross-stones. The best of them is carved in the Aseghnagorts “Needlecarved” style, which one of the hardest in this form of art.
Dilijan, Haghartsin Monastery, Goshavank Monastery Tour.
Price: 1 person-240$; 2prs-130$; group 20$~ each.
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