Spitakavor Monastery

Foundation: 14th century

Location: Vernashen village, Vayots Dzor province

Distance from Yerevan: 150 km (3 hours)

Spitakavor Monastery (White Monastery) is located on the slopes of Teksar mountains, 7 kilometers north of Vernashen village. The monastery was built of polished white felsite stone by Proshian princes. The construction began by Prince Eachi and completed by his son Prince Amir Hasan II. Later on the narthex was built, and there after Hovhannes Proshian added a three-story belfry to the Complex.

The remains of the Armenian Resistance leader Garegin Njdeh were secretly buried in the yard of Spitakavor Monastery.

You will have to take a 7 kilometers hike through an amazing terrain from Vernashen village to get to the Monastery; another 2 kilometers and you will get to Boloraberd Fortress (13th century).

The Complex:

  • The Entrance
  • Foundations
  • St. Astvatsatsin church (1318 – 1321)
  • Gavit or narthex (1321 - 1330)
  • Bell tower (1330)
  • Garegin Njdeh's grave (buried on May 9,1987)

Leave No Trace

  • Plan ahead & be prepared
  • Dispose the waste properly
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimize campfire impacts
  • Respect the wildlife
  • Be considerate of other visitors

Roads conditions

It is winter time! Check out road conditions before heading to the road! Beware of the snow & ice layer!

Vanadzor - Alaverdi section of the M6 Interstate highway stretching from Yerevan to Georgian border is temporarily closed. You can use Vanadzor-Stepanavan-Odzun-Alaverdi bypassing road.

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