Noratus (Cross-Stones)

In the Armenian world, khachkars (cross-stones) can be found almost everywhere, as they are one of the most distinctive expressions of Armenian cultural heritage. The largest khachkar field in the world is located in Noratus village, in Gegharkunik Province, one of the oldest settlements in the region. The village cemetery, also known as the Noratus Khachkar Field, is famous for its multitude of khachkars. About 900 khachkars stand there—the oldest dating to the 9th century, and most to the 13th–14th centuries. Previously, the Julfa (Jugha) cemetery in Nakhichevan, with its 2,500 khachkars, was the largest, but it was destroyed by Azerbaijan between 1998 and 2005. Numerous talented stone masters worked in Noratus, including Melikset the Carver, Nerses, Kiram, and others. In addition to the cemetery, the village and surrounding areas contain other monuments as well.