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Sights of Armenia Aragatsotn

Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God

  • RegionAragatsotn
  • Distance from Yerevan21.9 km
  • TypeMonastery/Church

Aragatsotn

About this place

Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God is located in the town of Ashtarak, in Armenia’s Aragatsotn Province. It was originally built in the 5th–6th centuries and reconstructed in the 13th–14th centuries. The church is a single-nave structure with a rectangular floor plan and a vaulted roof. Spitakavor is situated on a scenic hilltop at the edge of the Kasagh River gorge, offering a beautiful view of the river and the surrounding landscape. The church was built using locally sourced white tuff stone, from which it gets its name — Spitakavor, meaning ""whitish"" or ""white-colored."" Over the centuries, the Church of the Holy Mother of God has undergone several renovations in different historical periods.

Interesting

facts about Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God

  1. According to legend, three sisters once lived in the town of Ashtarak, and all three had fallen in love with a young man named Sargis. The two older sisters, as a sign of self-sacrifice, decided to pave the way for their younger sister's happiness. Wearing apricot-colored and red dresses, they threw themselves into the gorge. When the youngest sister learned what had happened, she put on a white dress and also threw herself into the gorge. Sargis, unable to overcome this immense sorrow, became a hermit. Over time, three churches were built at the edge of that deep gorge—Karmravor, Tsiranavor, and Spitakavor—symbolizing the colors of the sisters’ dresses and their sacrifice.

Weather in Aragatsotn

The high season in Armenia lasts for a long time due to the pleasant climate conditions. Warm days in Armenia start in March and last until late autumn; winter is usually snowless and not long. The high precipitation season is variable. The tourist season for Spitakavor Church depends on the weather conditions.

Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God

FAQ

Where is Spitakavor Church?

The Spitakavor Church of the Holy Mother of God is in the town of Ashtarak, in Armenia's Aragatsotn Province. It stands on a scenic hilltop at the edge of the Kasagh River gorge, with a beautiful view of the river and the surrounding landscape.

When was Spitakavor Church built?

The church was originally built in the 5th–6th centuries and reconstructed in the 13th–14th centuries. Over the centuries it has been renovated several times.

What does the church look like?

Spitakavor is a single-nave church with a rectangular floor plan and a vaulted roof, built of locally sourced white tuff.

Why is it called Spitakavor?

The church was built of local white tuff, which gave it its name: Spitakavor means “whitish” or “white-colored”.

What legend is linked to Spitakavor?

Legend says three sisters in Ashtarak loved the same young man, Sargis; the two elder sisters, in apricot and red dresses, threw themselves into the gorge so that the youngest could be happy, and she, on learning this, put on a white dress and followed them, while Sargis became a hermit. Three churches were later built at the edge of the gorge, Karmravor, Tsiranavor and Spitakavor, symbolizing the colors of the sisters' dresses and their sacrifice.

Aragatsotn

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Address

Spitakavor Church, Alazan Street, Ashtarak, Armenia

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