Month: Сентябрь 2022

The southern part of the Republic of Armenia is occupied by Syunik, an ancient Armenian land with many thousands of years of history. Let’s find out more about her.

So, Syunik has been known since the times of Great Armenia, whose 9th Ashkhar (province) it was. Among the ancient Greeks, this beautiful picturesque region was known as Sodukena.

The name of the Armenian Syunik comes, most likely, from the famous princely Armenian family Suni (Սյունի), who ruled here from the beginning of our era until the XVIII century.

It was in Syunik in the V century A.D. that the great began, with the support of local princes, the creation of the Armenian alphabet. Mesrop Mashtots, who opened the first Armenian schools here.

Since ancient times Syunik was famous as the land of true warriors, magnificent horsemen. Even as the king of Great Armenia, the valiant Syuniks sent a detachment of ten thousand of the best horsemen — heavy cataphractaries to the army. And the Prince of Sunia traditionally occupied the highest place among all the Armenian nobility at the royal court.

At the beginning of the II millennia AD, Syunik had its own strong Syunik kingdom, which recognized the supreme authority of the Ani rulers of Bagratuni.

Syunik Kingdom as part of Bagratid Armenia

The capital of Syunik was located in the city Kapan is today the administrative center of the Syunik marz (region) of the Republic of Armenia.

Kapan is the capital of Syunik

Living on the southern border of the Armenian state, Syuniks constantly had to fight for their land — constantly repel countless Persian, Arab, Seljuk, Timurid invasions. Many troubles and destruction were inflicted on Syunik by enemy invasions. But the Syunik people survived!

In the XVI—XVII centuries in Syunik, as well as in the neighboring Artsakh (Khachen, Nagorno-Karabakh) Armenian statehood was preserved — in the form of small states (principalities). In 1722, the Armenians of Syunik raised a powerful uprising against the Persian yoke, the uprising was led by a great Armenian warrior David-Bek.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Armenians under their generals Garegin Nzhdeh, Pogosa Ter-Davtyan and Andranik Azanyan saved Syunik from enemy capture.

Syunik people now speak a special dialect of the Armenian language, close to that used by residents of neighboring Artsakh.

Today Syunik is famous as one of the most beautiful regions of Armenia. There is a magnificent Tatev Monastery (Տաթևի վանք — Tatevi Vank), founded in the X century AD.

Tatev Monastery at dawn

There is also the southernmost city of modern Armenia — Meghri (Մեղրի -Honey), by the way — the birthplace of the ancestors of the famous actor Dmitry Kharatyan.

Meghri is the southernmost city of Armenia

The famous Tatev Wings cable car, the longest in the world, has been operating in Syunik since 2010.

Wings of Tatev — the longest cable car in the world

The resort town of Jermuk, famous all over the world for its mineral waters, is located here.

Famous Armenian mineral water from Syunik

A strategic link for Armenia with Iran passes through Syunik — the Iran—Armenia gas pipeline runs from here, the route from one country to another.

Here is such a beautiful and wonderful land of the ancient Armenian Syunik!

Syunik can be found on the medieval French map of Armenia.

Historical sights of Tavush region

Dilijan National Park

Dilijan is probably the most beautiful town of Tavush region. It is a major resort town of Armenia. Dilijan National Park is known for its forest landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, mineral water springs, natural and cultural monuments. The ancient Monastery of Haghartsin (10-13th centuries) and Goshavank Monastery (12-13th centuries) are located near Dilijan National park.

Haghartsin Monastery

HaghartsinMonastery complex was founded by Bagratunies, in the 10th century. It is located in the town of Dilijan, Tavush Region. According to historian Kirakos Gandzaketsi, the monastery was built in the 10th -13th century. The monastery complex includes four churches: Saint Grigor (1244), Saint Astvatsatsin (1281), Saint Katoghike (12th century) and Saint Stephanos (1232), as well as two courtyards, refectory, prayer halls and khachkars(cross-stones).

Goshavank Monastery

Goshavank is a medieval monastery complex. It is located in the village of Gosh, at the left bank of Getik River. The previous name of the church was Nor Getik, but after the death of Mkhitar Gosh, the church was renamed Goshavank in honour of Mkhitar Gosh who was a famous Armenian scientist, historian, parable writer, and teacher. Once this church was a remarkable religious, educational and cultural centre where Gosh lived and worked for 25 years.

The complex includes two churches, courtyard, two-storey writing house, bell tower and many khachkars (cross-stones). Near the monastery complex, a small domed church called Saint Gevorg is located. The monastery had a school and a book depository where numerous manuscripts were kept. At the school Armenian, Latin, Greek, Grammar, Philosophy, music, drawing and other disciplines were taught.

Makaravank

Makaravank monastery is another attraction in Tavush region, which was built in the 13th century. The main Church of the complex (1205) has a wide, bright and impressive structure. The unique sculptures of the interior walls are considered masterpieces of Armenian medieval art. St. Astvatsatsin is the oldest church of the monastery which was built in 1198. There is also a small round chapel of the 10th century in the northern part of the monastery.

Lastiver Cave

Another great place in Tavush is Lastiver; a magnificent place to enjoy the fantastic nature of Tavush Region. Lastiver is perfect for lovers of extreme tourism. The footpath to Lastiver starts from the village of Yenokavan. It takes nearly an hour to get to the place which reminds of a fairy tale with wooden gazebos, cottages, tree houses and a large bonfire. Not very far from the wooden structures, you will have a beautiful view of the waterfall of Lastiver. And of course, the cave itself is an interesting and mysterious site to visit and discover.

перевод на русском

Исторические достопримечательности Тавушской области

Дилижанский национальный парк

Дилижан, пожалуй, самый красивый город Тавушской области. Это крупный курортный город Армении. Дилижанский национальный парк известен своими лесными ландшафтами, разнообразной флорой и фауной, источниками минеральной воды, природными и культурными памятниками. Древний монастырь Агарцин (10-13 вв.) и монастырь Гошаванк (12-13 вв.) расположены недалеко от национального парка Дилижан.

Монастырь Агарцин

Монастырский комплекс Агарцин был основан Багратуни в 10 веке. Он расположен в городе Дилижан Тавушской области. По словам историка Киракоса Гандзакеци, монастырь был построен в 10-13 веках. Монастырский комплекс включает в себя четыре церкви: Святого Григора (1244), Святого Аствацацина (1281), Святого Катогике (12 век) и Святого Стефаноса (1232), а также два внутренних двора, трапезную, молитвенные залы и хачкары (крест-камни).

Монастырь Гошаванк

Гошаванк — это средневековый монастырский комплекс. Он расположен в деревне Гош, на левом берегу реки Гетик. Предыдущее название церкви было Нор Гетик, но после смерти Мхитара Гоша церковь была переименована в Гошаванк в честь Мхитара Гоша, который был известным армянским ученым, историком, автором притч и учителем. Когда-то эта церковь была замечательным религиозным, образовательным и культурным центром, где Гош жил и работал в течение 25 лет.

Комплекс включает в себя две церкви, внутренний двор, двухэтажный дом для письма, колокольню и множество хачкаров (хачкаров-камней). Рядом с монастырским комплексом расположена небольшая купольная церковь под названием Святой Геворг. В монастыре была школа и книгохранилище, где хранились многочисленные рукописи. В школе преподавались армянский, латинский, греческий языки, грамматика, философия, музыка, рисование и другие дисциплины.

Макараванк

Монастырь Макараванк — еще одна достопримечательность Тавушской области, которая была построена в 13 веке. Главная церковь комплекса (1205) имеет широкое, яркое и впечатляющее строение. Уникальные скульптуры внутренних стен считаются шедеврами армянского средневекового искусства. Церковь Святого Аствацацина — старейшая церковь монастыря, построенная в 1198 году. В северной части монастыря также есть небольшая круглая часовня 10 века.

Пещера Ластивер

Еще одно замечательное место в Тавуше — Ластивер; великолепное место, чтобы насладиться фантастической природой Тавушской области. Ластивер идеально подходит для любителей экстремального туризма. Пешеходная тропа в Ластивер начинается от деревни Енокаван. Требуется почти час, чтобы добраться до места, которое напоминает сказку с деревянными беседками, коттеджами, домиками на деревьях и большим костром. Не очень далеко от деревянных строений у вас будет прекрасный вид на водопад Ластивер. И, конечно же, сама пещера — интересное и таинственное место, которое стоит посетить и открыть для себя.