XI AD - Syunik Region

"Bgheno-Noravank - General View" © 2000 Raffi Kojian, All Rights Reserved

Not to be confused with Noravank, Bgheno-Noravank is a complex much further south in Armenia which now consists of a small church situated in the forest, which is very ornately decorated with borders and biblical reliefs.  It is a perfect spot to camp out and being so close to the main highway means you could have the bus (to Kapan or Meghri) drop you off, or if you are attempting to bike along the main highway it is an easy stopover.

Going S. on the main road from Goris to Kapan, the road rises from the village and hydroelectric station of Vorotan (155 v.) in the gorge (restaurant).  A kilometer or two beyond the summit, a signposted road leads W to Bardzravan (108 v., till 1926 Mazra).  At 3.1 km from the turnoff, a paved road (faded white sign) leads right to a little wooded promontory on which stand the remains of Bgheno Noravank, with a small reconstructed church of 1062.  The ruins of this church were rediscovered in the 1920s by Axel Bakunts, the famous prose writer, during one of his wanderings as agronomist.  In the village of Bardzravan is a S. Astvatsatsin church of 1870.  Two km S on the slope toward the Vorotan river is Karkopi S. Minas church of the 17th c.  [This paragraph is from the Rediscover Armenia Guide.]

"Bgheno-Noravank - Relief" © 2000 Raffi Kojian, All Rights Reserved

"Bgheno-Noravank - Door frame" © 2000 Raffi Kojian, All Rights Reserved