Pokaberd (Tsiranavor Church)

Pokaberd, better known as Tsiranavor Church, is a historical landmark nestled in Ashtarak, Armenia. Believed to have been constructed between the 5th and 6th centuries under Catholicos Nerses II Bagrevandtsi's patronage, this ancient Armenian church offers a glimpse into the region's rich past. The name "Tsiranavor" translates to "apricot-colored," referring to the apricot-hued tufa stone used in its construction.This triple-nave basilica features a rectangular design with a horseshoe-shaped apse and chambers on either side. The church's structure was fortified with two rings of walls, which served as a stronghold called Pokaberd, meaning "Fortress of Pok". The central nave was supported by three pairs of T-shaped columns, a typical architectural element of 5th-century Armenian churches. Sadly, an earthquake caused severe damage to the church, resulting in the loss of its dome and parts of its walls.According to local lore, the church's name and those of nearby Karmravor (reddish) and Spitakavor (whitish) churches originate from a tragic legend involving three sisters. The sisters, all in love with the same prince, met a sorrowful end when the two eldest sacrificed themselves for the youngest, who then followed suit, each donning a dress of a different color before jumping into the gorge.