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Spitakavor Monastery: A White Jewel in Vayots Dzor

Discover Spitakavor Monastery in Armenia: a 14th-century architectural gem with stunning views and a rich history, nestled in the Vayots Dzor mountains.

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Nestled in the rugged landscape of Vayots Dzor, Armenia, Spitakavor Monastery, also known as Tsakhkavank, stands as a testament to medieval Armenian architecture and religious significance. Built in the 14th century from polished white felsite, the monastery offers breathtaking views and a serene escape.

A brief summary to Spitakavor

  • R9H7+WFJ, Vernashen, AM

Local tips

  • The road to the monastery is rough; a 4x4 vehicle or hiking is recommended.
  • Visit in spring to see the surrounding slopes burst into bloom, giving the monastery its nickname, the 'Flower Monastery'.
  • Look for the grave of Garegin Nzhdeh, a prominent Armenian military and political figure, in the monastery courtyard.
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Getting There

  • Hiking

    From Vernashen village, a 7-kilometer trail leads to Spitakavor Monastery. The moderate hike climbs 500 meters in elevation, offering scenic views of the rocky gorges and surrounding landscape. The trail is part of the larger Transcaucasian Trail and is clearly marked. Be prepared for a 2-3 hour hike each way. Sturdy footwear and water are recommended.

  • 4x4 Vehicle

    A rough, winding dirt track (8.4km) is accessible by 4WD vehicles from Vernashen. From Yeghegnadzor, drive towards Vernashen and past the Museum of Gladzor University. At the T-junction, take the road to the left. The road will take you all the way up to the monastery. Be prepared for challenging road conditions.

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Discover more about Spitakavor

Spitakavor Monastery, also known as Tsakhkavank, rises in silence seven kilometers north of Vernashen village, in Armenia's Vayots Dzor Province. Perched on a slope carved by gorges, the monastery complex is composed of a church, a gavit (narthex), a belfry, and fortified walls. The Church of Surb Astvatsatsin, also known in medieval records as Surb Karapet, was founded by Prince Eachi Proshyan and completed after his death in 1318 by his son Amir Hasan II, who finished construction in 1321. It was built from polished white felsite, which gave the church its name — “Spitak,” or “white” in Armenian. In the local vernacular, the monastery is often called Tsakhkavank, the “Flower Monastery,” as in spring the surrounding slopes burst into bloom, and the church seems to sit within a living garden. The monastery stands out with its conical roof and detailed reliefs blending sacred and secular motifs. The church's surfaces are adorned with sculpted scenes that reflect both spiritual and worldly life. One of the church's most striking details is a large cross carved into the eastern exterior wall, its asymmetrical wings ending in five-pointed stars. The belfry, attached to the gavit’s western wall, was built in 1330. Spitakavor became one of the leading spiritual, cultural, and educational centers in Vayots Dzor, remaining active through the 15th century and surviving the waves of Tatar-Mongol invasions. The monastery's significance was re-evaluated in 1987 when the relics of Garegin Nzhdeh, a military, political, and state figure, were buried at the southern wall of Saint Astvatsatsin Church.

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