A half-ruined monastery hanging on the canyon wall above Tumanyan, with fragments of frescoes.
Founded in the 12th century under the Kiurikian princes, Kobayr clings to a ledge reached by a steep path and stone steps from the railway halt below. The climb takes 20–30 minutes; the views and the faded apse paintings repay it.
Good to know
- Start from the Kober station by the main road.
- Wear proper shoes — the path is slippery after rain.
Read more: Wikipedia: Kobayr monastery
Getting there
158 m above the Debed river, which runs 300 m away in a straight line.
| From | Road distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Vanadzor | 34.8 km | 37 min |
| Alaverdi | 12.9 km | 15 min |
| Stepanavan | 45.4 km | 44 min |
| Yerevan | 150 km | 2 h 37 min |
| Tbilisi | 125.1 km | 2 h 21 min |
Details
- Type
- Ruins
- Where
- Kobayr
- Elevation
- 995 m
- Built
- 12th c.
Light
Golden hour is when the sun is less than 6° above the horizon — the warm light for photos. In deep gorges the sun leaves the valley floor earlier.
Photos taken nearby
From Wikimedia Commons, within 1 km. Click a photo for its author and licence.
Weather at Kobayr Monastery
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Forecast for 995 m from Open-Meteo.
On these routes
- Three slow days in the canyon 3 days
- Kobayr cliff path hike, 1 hour return
Sights nearby
- KatoghikeChurch 0 m 28 m higher
- Viewpoint in KobayrViewpoint 50 m 37 m lower
- Arahavor YekeghetsiChurch 150 m same level
- Chitakhants VankChurch 350 m 148 m lower
- KhachkarKhachkar / wayside cross 900 m 91 m lower
- Hovhannes TumanyanMonument 950 m 181 m lower
Nature nearby
- Memorial ParkPark 1.2 km 139 m lower
- AvanakarPeak 2.0 km 138 m higher
- Hill KartsnasarPeak 2.5 km 324 m higher
- Odzi PortSpring 4.0 km 394 m higher
- The Snake's NavelCliff 4.1 km 380 m higher
Stay nearby
- Rustic Cottage with GardenApartment 1.1 km 155 m lower
- Old School Apartment by Abastan CoworkingApartment 1.2 km 123 m lower
- Retro Studio on Town SquareApartment 1.2 km 148 m lower
- Retro Apartment with Debed ViewApartment 1.2 km 148 m lower
- Guest House ArtemiGuesthouse 1.3 km 152 m lower
Eat nearby
- Flying Samovar CafeCafe 1.2 km 157 m lower
- Restaurant in DseghRestaurant 4.8 km 110 m lower
- DzoreniRestaurant 5.3 km 152 m higher
- Coffee House OdzunCafe 5.4 km 108 m higher
- Hats u PanirRestaurant 6.4 km 239 m higher
Services nearby
- Haypost 1712Post office 1.2 km 148 m lower
- Fuel in TumanyanFuel 2.5 km 158 m lower
- Fuel in OdzunFuel 4.5 km 113 m higher
- Team EnergyEV charging 5.0 km 71 m lower
- Team EnergyEV charging 5.0 km 71 m lower
- A.A.A. MarketConvenience store 5.4 km 108 m higher
Distances in the "nearby" lists are straight-line; the height difference shows how much climbing a short distance can hide here.