Route: Sanain-Haghpat-Akhtala
Rate includes: high qualified guide service, transport services, lunch, wine tasting
Duration: 9-10 hours
Sanahin is a monument of Armenian architecture, a medieval monastery, and one of the main medieval cultural centers of Northern Armenia. The Church complex dates from the X—XIII centuries. The Academy, libraries, scriptoriums, and schools where books were written were founded here. Sanahin owned extensive land.
Haghpat is a medieval monastic complex in Haghpat that was founded by Queen Khosrowanuish, the wife of the Bagratid king Ashot III, probably in 976. Haghpat was one of the most important spiritual and cultural centers. Of all the monastic buildings preserved-the main Church of St. Nshan (967-991) with sculptures on the outside and paintings (XIII-XIV centuries) inside, the Church of St. Gregory (1005) and a small domed Church of St. Astvatsatsin (XII-XIII centuries), the refectory of the XIII century, the book Depository of the XIII century, the tiered bell tower (1245), khachkars.
The monastery complex of Akhtala, located in the middle of a picturesque area, was founded in the X century. The architecture of the monastery is very peculiar and quite noticeably differs from other buildings of this type. This is explained by the fact that when designing akhtal, master architects used an unusual mix of Armenian and Georgian architectural styles. Akhtala was not only a religious, but also a military-defensive object. This is reminiscent of the preserved defensive fortress and many secret underground tunnels.
After an exciting tour, we will have a delicious lunch, wine tasting and master classes in preparing Armenian dishes.