Dvin
Ruins of Armenia's early medieval capital
- Area Ararat
- Type Historic site
- Time needed 45m
Dvin was Armenia's capital through much of the early medieval period, and what survives is a low archaeological site south of Yerevan rather than a standing monument. Foundations, a citadel mound and the outlines of a cathedral are spread across farmland near the modern village.
Open in the planner →Getting there
It is about 28 km and roughly 31 minutes from Yerevan on the app's estimate, on flat roads through the Ararat plain villages. Signage at the site itself is minimal.
What you see
You walk over exposed wall footings, the base of the cathedral and the citadel mound, with the scale of the city readable mainly from the ground plan. Carved capitals and stone fragments are gathered in groups on site. The plain and, in clear weather, Ararat give the place its sense of scale.
What to pair it with
Khor Virap monastery is a short drive south across the same plain, and Yerevan's history museum holds much of what was dug up here.
When to go
Spring and autumn are best, with wildflowers over the site in spring and no shade at all in summer. Winter mud makes walking unpleasant.
What is hard about it
There is very little above knee height, and the site rewards reading beforehand more than wandering around. Visitors expecting ruins in the usual sense are regularly disappointed.
Common questions
Is there anything standing at Dvin?
No. The site is foundations, mounds and loose carved stone, with the cathedral readable only as a plan.
Where are the finds from Dvin?
Many are held in museum collections in Yerevan rather than on site, which is worth knowing before you go.
Is it worth visiting?
For people interested in Armenian history, yes, as the former capital. For general sightseeing it is a thin stop.
Nearby
- Khor VirapMonastery on the plain with the classic view of Mount Ararat
- Khosrov Forest ReserveAncient royal hunting reserve of rugged canyons
More of the same kind
- Garni TempleFirst-century Hellenistic temple above the Azat gorge
- PtghnavankRoofless 7th-century basilica above the Kasakh
- Zvartnots Cathedral ruinsRuins of a 7th-century circular cathedral
- MetsamorBronze Age metallurgy site and museum