Excursion-walk to Harichavank, Forest, Pemzashen medieval monasteries

The medieval church complex Harichavank in Armenia. It is one of the oldest medieval Armenian monasteries. The oldest building was built in the 7th century. It is the church of St. Gregory. It is adjoined by two-storeyed chapels of the 13th century. The main church of the monastery was built by order of brothers Zakare and Ivane in 1201 and is a large cross-dome construction. This monument is one of the pearls of medieval architecture, shrouded in fine ornaments. The building is majestic in its simplicity, perfection of design. The monastery was a center of science. Avetik Isahakyan studied at the famous school functioning here in 1887-1889.

During the Seljuk invasion, many people entered the church and disappeared. The Seljuks explained this miracle by saying that by the power of their souls, the people in the church turned into pigeons and flew away. However, there was a secret place in the church through which the Armenian refugees could descend to the bottom of the gorge. Upon entering the temple, the Seljuks, finding no one, became enraged and decided to raze the temple to the ground. They used horses to tear down the four pillars supporting the bell tower, but the church was not destroyed. Fearing such a miracle, the Seljuks never tried to destroy the structure again!

To the southeast of Pemsashen, on the road to Lernakert, is the church of St. Sion in Makaravank, which, according to an inscription, was built by a certain Saak in 1001. Around the church is an ancient cemetery of the monastery. Nearby, in the gorge, there is the vaulted church of St. Astvatsatsin (XVII century). At the top is a small cave "Tsak Kar".

It is located in the center of the village of Pemsashen, which consists of three early medieval churches built side by side. Since the IV-VII cc. the group of monuments is one of the unique surviving examples of Armenian architecture. It is one of the oldest with inventive features. The central church of the complex (VI century) is a three-domed, cross-shaped, central dome, externally included into the rectangular volume. This is the only small dome-shaped structure whose composition is externally enclosed in a rectangle.

You can buy the service fully or book it by paying little money (booking voucher). If you purchase a booking voucher, you pay the rest of the cost of the service of your choice on the spot before providing the service.

Please, read carefully about the service information and if necessary, take with you your passport or other identification document (ex. Driving license) and wear appropriate clothes (if it is mentioned on the page of the service).

The purchase or booking should be done at least 48 hours in advance. In case of reservations made after that, complications may arise during the organization of the service, and the amount of the reserved service during that period is not refundable, unless otherwise provided in the cancellation policy. The minimal number of members for this service is 3. You will receive the final confirmation or non-confirmation of the service you purchased by e-mail. Please be careful and arrive at the place of service/office only in case of final confirmation. If you made the purchase more than 10 days before the date of service, the confirmation or non-confirmation letter will be sent to you 72 hours before the day of service.

Attention: The booking voucher is for one-time use of the service you purchased.

In order to use the service, in case of purchasing both full and booking vouchers, it is necessary to submit the purchase receipt electronically or in print (QR code).

Cancellation can be made only in case of full purchase. In case of cancellation of the booking voucher the money will not be refunded, but that can be used for another day or for purchasing another service.

Without any penalty full purchase cancellation is available at least 48 hours in advance. After that, the whole value of the service is non-refundable in case of purchase, cancellation, as well as without the consent of the service provider. The date can only be changed at least 24 hours before the first day of the service, with the consent of the partner, according to the availability of those days.

For full information on money refund and other costs related to that can be found in the Public Contract.

Bring bottled water with you.

There are no age or other restrictions for participating in this tour.

We strictly follow the COVID-19 safety rules of the RA government. Please, take masks and individual sanitizers with you.