Nor Varagavank
Forest monastery above Varagavan
- Area Tavush
- Type Monastery
- Time needed 45m
Nor Varagavank is a 13th-century monastery on a wooded spur above Varagavan village in northern Tavush, founded to house relics brought from the older Varagavank near Van. It is quiet, little visited and interesting mainly to people who enjoy Armenian church architecture.
Open in the planner →Getting there
About 142 km from Yerevan, roughly 2h 35m of driving, past Ijevan and up the Tavush valley towards Berd. A side road climbs to the monastery.
What you see
Three churches of different periods stand close together with a gavit, the main one carrying good carved detail around its drum and windows. Fragments of fresco survive in places, and there are khachkars and grave slabs in the enclosure. The forest comes right up to the walls, which is much of the appeal.
What to pair it with
It fits with Berd, Makaravank and the Ijevan stretch of the Tavush road.
When to go
May to October is most comfortable. The approach road is less reliable in winter and after heavy rain.
What is hard about it
It is a long drive for a 45-minute stop, and the site is remote enough that you will probably make a dedicated detour rather than passing it. Some masonry is in poor condition and parts are fenced off.
Common questions
Is it a working monastery?
There is religious use and some care of the buildings, but no regular monastic community on site. [VERIFY — confirm current details]
How does it differ from Varagavank near Van?
The original Varagavank, in present-day Turkey, is a separate and much older foundation. This one was established later to hold relics associated with it.
Can it be combined with Kirants?
Both are in northern Tavush, but the roads between them are slow. Doing both in one day from Yerevan would be very long.
Nearby
- Haghartsin MonasteryMonastery complex set deep in beech forest
- Goshavank12th-century monastery with an exquisite khachkar
- MakaravankRichly carved monastery high in the forest
- Dilijan National ParkForested park known as "Armenian Switzerland"
- Lake ParzForest lake with walking trails near Dilijan
- JukhtakvankPair of churches in the woods near Dilijan
More of the same kind
- Geghard MonasteryPartly carved into the rock face, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Havuts TarRuined monastery reached by a hike across the Azat gorge
- Kecharis Monastery11th-century complex in the ski town of Tsaghkadzor
- Aghjots MonasteryMonastery tucked into the Khosrov forest edge