Sightseeing in Areni: Monastery, Cave, Church

Areni’s sights are old and spread over a short drive. Noravank is the headline, the cave and church are close to the village, and two more sights lie in the Yeghegis valley.

1. Noravank

  • Where: about 10 km up the Amaghu (Gnishik) gorge, at about 1,500 m, 3 km north-east of the abandoned village of Amaghu.
  • Founded: 1105 by Bishop Hovhannes, per Stepanos Orbelian’s history.
  • Surb Karapet (also called Surb Stepanos Nakhavka): early 13th century. Above its window, a tympanum shows God the Father in human form blessing a crucifix.
  • Surb Astvatsatsin (Burtelashen): finished in 1339 for Prince Burtel Orbelian and attributed to Momik as his last work. The west stair is narrow and has no handrail.
  • Visiting: guides describe entry as free, parking at about 100 AMD and a small museum at about 500 AMD. Go by day. There is no public transport, so use a taxi or driver.

The churches are stone buildings standing in the gorge, not caves.

2. Areni-1 Cave

Armenian archaeologists with UCC and UCLA partners dug here from 2007 to 2014. The finds include a vat, press and jars from about 4100 BC, which makes them roughly 6,100 years old, and a one-piece leather shoe from about 3600 to 3500 BC. Both are Chalcolithic. The shoe is displayed at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan. The cave is about 2 km from the village. Entry is about 1,000 AMD, and listings give different daytime hours, so confirm when you arrive. A guided visit makes the most of a small, dry site. A cave museum is planned for around the end of 2026, so check before you go.

3. Areni Church

The Holy Mother of God church crowns a hill about 0.5 km north of the village, above the Arpa. The inscription at the west door gives 1321, and the church was commissioned by Hovhannes Orbelian, Archbishop of Syunik, to a design by Momik. The west portal carries a relief of the Virgin and Child. It lost parts to the 1840 earthquake and was restored in 1967 to 1972, with a new dome in 1998. Entry is free, and it is not an active parish church, so ask locally about services.

4. The Canyon and Its Wildlife

The Arpa Protected Landscape covers the canyon. Bezoar goats are the draw, and a ranger takes visitors to see them. The area is also noted for the bearded vulture and rare butterflies. Book through the Arpa Environmental Foundation, which has a visitor centre in Yeghegnadzor.

5. Zorats Church, Yeghegis

This 14th-century church is also called Surb Zorats or St Stepanos, and some sources date it to about 1303. Its altar is said to be raised to the height of a mounted rider. Allow more than an hour each way from Areni.

6. Smbataberd Fortress

The hilltop fortress stands at about 2,000 m. It may date to the 5th century, was fortified between the 9th and 13th centuries, and has been a protected reserve since June 2018. Walk in through the north gate.

Check gov.uk and travel.state.gov for up-to-date Armenia advice before you travel.

Read more: walking tours in Areni for trails to Noravank and beyond.

References: Courtauld Institute on Noravank and Wikipedia on Smbataberd . Tours: Viator Noravank tours .