Harichavank & Gyumri City Tour

The Harich Monastery Complex is located in the Shirak region, on the northern slope of the Aragats mountain. It consists of two churches: St. Gregory and St. Astvatsatsin, a vestibule, a bell tower, depositories, a chapel, a school and other buildings. No clear information has been preserved about the construction of the first church of the monastery, but the analysis of the inscriptions on the walls proves that the church dates back to the 7th century. Harichavank was an important educational center, that flourished especially in the 13th century. It is another sample of Armenian medieval architectural thought, a reflection of the spirit of the time and a historical witness. The famous Armenian writer Avetik Isahakyan received his primary education at the local school.

Among the many churches of Gyumri, the largest is the St. Astvatsatsin or Yot Verk (Seven Wounds). The asymmetrically built Yot Verk Church was consecrated in 1886 and got its unique popular name from the icon of Mariam Astvatsatsin, which depicts her seven wounds. The icon was brought here from Western Armenia, and then it was decided to move to Harichavank for security reasons, but the people of Gyumri did not allow it, keeping it in their city. The Yot Verk Church adorning the city's main square is one of two large churches, the second being St. Amenaprkich.

St. Nshan is the third largest church in Gyumri. It is another 19th-century church that repeats the Armenian style. During the Soviet years, the church was turned into a warehouse, and the earthquake destroyed the domes, which, fortunately, were later restored.

Built in 1873, the church repeats the main temple of Ani, the former capital of Armenia. Later, during the Soviet years, it served as a philharmonic hall. The 36-meter-high giant temple was damaged during the 1988 earthquake. It is now being restored.

The Black Fortress is a defensive fortress built of black stone. It was built in 1834 after the Second Russian-Persian War. The drainage system, which protected the castle's walls from rain, deserves special attention. The Black Fortress, now turned into a tourist center, reminds visitors of its military past.