Noravank
Armenia · Vayots Dzor · 1000 m
Description
Noravank (Նորավանք) stands at the end of a narrow red rock gorge in Vayots Dzor, and the approach along the canyon floor is half the point, three kilometres between brick-coloured cliffs that close in overhead. The thirteenth century Surb Astvatsatsin church is the piece people come for, a two storey mausoleum whose upper chapel is reached by narrow stone brackets cantilevered out of the west front with no rail, and whose carved tympanum shows God the Father with almond eyes. Areni, ten kilometres back down the road, has the cave where the oldest known winery in the world was found.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – June or September – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Surb Astvatsatsin church and its cantilevered stairs
- Red rock gorge approach
- Areni-1 cave and the oldest known winery
- Areni wineries and the Areni Noir tastings
- Carved tympanums of the monastery church
- Areni wine festival (approx. October)
- Jermuk waterfall and the mineral spa town(Day trip)
- Vayots Dzor gorge hiking trails
- Smbataberd fortress on its ridge(Day trip)