Tour to Saghmosavank

​Within the vicinity of Ohanavank, another majestic monastery complex peaks over the Kasakh River gorge: the Saghmosavank Monastery. Its main temple, the Church of Zion (1215 AD), belongs to the same type of cross-winged domed structure with two-foor annexes in all the corners of the building as the Church of Karapet in Hovhannavank. Saghmosavank was a significant center for quality scholarship and calligraphy, with an established medieval higher structure of schooling. A constant rivalry among the monasteries of Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank raged for the title of the most beautiful of all the churches in the province. To decide which of the two deserves the title, one must visit them both!

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Armenian Alphabet Monument, Artashavan Armenia

Armenian Alphabet Monument is located in Artashavan village of Aragatsotn region, on the Western slope of Mount Aragats. The complex was built in 2005, on the 1600th anniversary of the creation of Armenian alphabet.
The complex includes sculptures of 39 letters of Armenian alphabet, as well as monuments to the great Armenian thinkers. All the letters and statues are made of Armenian tufa. Armenian language is an independent branch in Indo-European language family. Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots in 405; it is used in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Javakhk, in communities of Armenian Diaspora, in different armenological and cultural centers.
A rich literature was created in Armenian language; this is a writing of ancient, medieval and modern civilizations. It also has its contribution in world culture.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Amberd Fortress, Byurakan Armenia

Amberd, the largest standing fortress in Armenia, is located on the southern slopes of Mount Aragats, on a triangular cape where the rivers Arkashen and Amberd join. Amberd means “a fortress in the clouds," a fitting name given its elevation at 2 300 m above sea level. The mansion and some sections of the walls were constructed in the 7th century by the noble house of Kamsarakan.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Saghmosavank Monastery, Artashavan 0211 Armenia

The monastery complexes of Hovhannavank and Saghmosavank are five kilometers apart and situated in the villages of the same names of the Ashtarak district. Both monuments perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. Their silhouettes dominate the adjacent villages and rise sharp against the background of the mountains crowned by Mt. Aragats.

Duration: 45 minutes