4 / 5 - One review
How to get there
Around 100 kilometres from Yerevan by car
When to go
All year round, though it's more pleasant in summer
Minimum stay
A few hours
St Stepanos (Armenia)
©
flickr cc Nina Stössinger
Practical information on St Stepanos
Reviews of St Stepanos
The Church of Saint Stephen, or "Lmbatavank" as its also known, lies just outside the fairly nondescript town of Artik and is one of the oldest churches in the whole country.
My suggestion:
If you're in the region and have a car at your disposal, head a little further afield and visit the beautiful monastery of Harichavank, four kilometres from Artik.
My review
The small town of Artik, which lies in Shirak Province in the northwest of the country, does not have much to offer the visitor and is practically indistinguishable from so many other typical Armenian towns with its blend of Soviet and rural architecture. However, just away from the town, at the point where the magnificent valleyed steppes that characterise this region commence, stands a church dedicated to Saint Stepanos (Saint Stephen), which In early autumn blends almost invisibly into the surrounding landscape.
Though quite small in size, this 7th century church contains some magnificent and particularly well preserved frescos. I was really taken with the simple, modest appearance of this very old monastery, which lies off the usual Armenian tourist routes and receives very few visitors.
©
flickr cc Nina Stössinger
100 travelers' photos
