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Tsiranavor Church

Region

Aragatsotn

Distance from Yerevan

21.9 km

Type

Monastery/Church

In the part of Ashtarak that was once known as the fortress district, stands the city’s oldest church, Tsiranavor. It was built in the 5th–6th centuries by Catholicos Nerses II Bagrevandtsi. The Tsiranavor Church (also known as St. Astvatsatsin) is built on a rectangular plan with a horseshoe-shaped apse, and sacristies on both the right and left sides. The structure belongs to the three-nave basilica type with vaulted roofing. Over the centuries, several architectural changes were made: the northern and western walls were reinforced with additional layers, and arrow slits were added on the southern side, giving the church a fortress-like appearance. To this day, parts of the walls, the apse with its adjacent rooms, and the southern nave remain standing. Inside, the pair of windows on the western side are still noticeable. On the eastern façade, remnants of a toothed cornice can be seen.

Interesting

facts about Tsiranavor Church

Facts

According to legend, there once lived three sisters in Ashtarak, all of whom had fallen in love with a young man named Sargis. The two older sisters, out of self-sacrifice, decided to step aside for the happiness of their youngest sister. They dressed in apricot-colored and red dresses and threw themselves into the gorge. When the youngest sister learned of this, she dressed in white and also threw herself into the ravine. Unable to bear the grief, Sargis became a hermit. Over time, three churches were built near the edge of that deep gorge — Karmravor, Tsiranavor, and Spitakavor — symbolizing the colors of the sisters’ dresses and their sacrifice.

The Tsiranavor Basilica was once surrounded by defensive walls, giving it the appearance of a fortress. Located at the edge of the Kasagh River gorge, it served not only a religious function but also a defensive one. For this reason, it was sometimes referred to as Pokaberd.

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 Tsiranavor Church depends on the weather conditions.

Sights

near Tsiranavor Church

Perch Proshyan House Museum

0 km

Karmravor St. Astvatsatsin Church

1 km

The Mughni St. Gevorg Monastery

2 km

Hovhannavank Monastic Complex

7 km