Carbon Neutral 100%
Destinations
Top destinations of the moment in Europe
  • Tour Ideas
Trip Types
  • Travel Style
  • Interests and Activities
  • Tour Ideas by Month
  • Continents and Regions
An update from Evaneos
Hovanavank

Hovanavank (Armenia)

Practical information on Hovanavank

  • Place or Religious Monument
  • Place or Historical Monument
4 / 5 - One review
How to get there
25 km by road north of Yerevan
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
A few hours

Reviews of Hovanavank

Timothée D. Seasoned Traveller
285 written opinions

In the River Kasagh gorge Hovhannavank monastery presides majestically over the volcanic rocks which dominate the river.

My suggestion:
Ashtarak is a good base from which to explore the region.
My review

Hovhannavank monastery is a sublime religious site dating from the 7th century, in the River Kasagh canyon, which extends north from Ashtarak. Over 10 kilometres the valley has some of the most beautiful sites in the country, which you can explore on foot, by car or in a taxi.

The high point of Hovhannavank monastery is its 12th century cathedral, covered in traditional inscriptions carved into the stone. It is these the site is famous for and they are worth a visit all by themselves. During my visit I went for a walk between the two main monasteries in the gorge, Hovhannavank and the sublime Saghmosavank, which are about 1 and a half hour's walk apart across the river valley. It was a great Armenian experience.

Hovhannavank monastery