Makaravank

Makaravank stands in forest on a slope above the Aghstev valley, four churches of the tenth to thirteenth centuries with a gavit, and its reputation rests on the carving: the interior of the 1205 church has an altar dais and walls worked with rosettes, birds, fish, geometric interlace and a figure sometimes read as a stonemason at work, more densely than almost anywhere else in the country. The main church is built of pink andesite, which makes the detail read well.

History

The oldest church was built in the 10th and 11th centuries of large, roughly cut blocks of red tuff, the white-stone church of Surb Astvatsatsin, credited to Hovhannes, followed in 1198 on the east side, and the main church went up in 1205 in pink andesite with a gavit of red andesite; the monastery was also called Agravavank, and large settlements once stood around it (Wikipedia, Makaravank).

Highlights

• The carved interior - rosettes, birds, fish and interlace worked across the 1205 church.
• The four churches - buildings from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries together.
• The gavit - the vaulted hall with carved capitals.
• The forest setting - beech and oak woodland on the slope around the walls.

When to go

May to October is the season; the road up is difficult in snow. Autumn in the Tavush forest is the best time of year. Midday light is needed to see the interior carving well.

Before you go

The road up from Achajur is steep and rough. The interiors are dim and the carving needs time and patience to pick out. The site can be locked outside daytime hours.

Nearby

Ijevan is south in the valley, and Lastiver is nearby above the town.

Key facts