Monasteries & churches

Lori has one of the densest clusters of medieval Armenian churches anywhere. Start with the canyon classics, then use the map to find the small village churches — many are open, most are free, and you will often be alone.

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99 places, showing the first 60.

Haghpat Monastery

MonasteryHaghpat10th–13th c.UNESCO

A UNESCO-listed monastery village above the Debed, founded in the 970s by the Bagratid queen Khosrovanuysh.

1,016 m295 m above the Acher1 h 03 min from Vanadzor

Sanahin Monastery

Monastery10th–13th c.UNESCO

Haghpat's older twin across the gorge, famous for its school of calligraphy and illumination.

1,033 m

Akhtala Monastery

ChurchAkhtala10th–13th c.

A fortified monastery whose church is covered, wall to wall, in early-13th-century frescoes.

708 m127 m above the Debed1 h 14 min from Vanadzor

Odzun Church

ChurchOdzun5th–7th c.

An early domed basilica on the canyon rim, with a funerary monument unlike any other in Armenia.

1,101 m320 m above the Debed51 min from Vanadzor

Kobayr Monastery

RuinsKobayr12th c.

A half-ruined monastery hanging on the canyon wall above Tumanyan, with fragments of frescoes.

995 m158 m above the Debed37 min from Vanadzor

Hnevank Monastery Complex

ChurchKurtan7th–12th c.

A monastery on a rock in the gorge where the Dzoraget and Gargar rivers meet.

1,022 m41 min from Vanadzor

Horomayr Monastery

ChurchOdzun13th c.

Two groups of churches on the cliffs just south of Odzun.

1,123 m338 m above the Debed54 min from Vanadzor

Khuchap Monastery

ChurchJilizamedieval

A forest monastery on the Georgian border above Privolnoye.

1,138 m1.0 km walk from the road2 h 12 min from Vanadzor

St. George Church, Sverdlov

ChurchSverdlov6th c.

A rare early-medieval church on the edge of Sverdlov village, north of Stepanavan.

1,541 m51 min from Vanadzor

Chgnavor Monastery

ChurchTsater

1,186 m324 m above the Debed55 min from Vanadzor

Holy Mother of God Church

ChurchVanadzor

Church of the Holy Mother of God is a 19th-century church in Vanadzor, Armenia. It was constructed between 1828 and 1830 and consecrated in 1831. The construction was completed through the donation of Yuzbashi (captain) Piluman Tayiryants, during the reign of tsar Nicholas I of Russia and Catholicos John VIII of Armenia.

1,311 m2 min from Vanadzor