XIII AD - Ararat Region

"Surp Karapet Vank - General View" © 2001 Raffi Kojian, All Rights Reserved

Tucked into a fold of the Urts Range overlooking a back valley of the Ararat region, S. Karapet Vank* (the "Forerunner" -- i.e. John the Baptist) is a wonderfully remote and melancholy site for a picnic (shaded picnic table). The church of 1254 (padlocked) is well preserved, with a graveyard, ruined belltower and tumbled remains of outbuildings and a choked cistern. The road passes broken khachkars, faint ruined farm buildings, and hawks and harriers hunting across the sheep-cropped hillsides. To reach the site, take the main Yeghegnadzor road 19 km from the Yeraskh circle and turn left on the paved road just before Urtsalanj (150 v.). Passing through Lanjar (143 v., till 1968 Pirlu), you crest a small pass at 2.5 km, from which a clear dirt road follows the contour line off to the left. The monastery of St. Karapet is 7.1 km along a road rocky and steep in places, in others axle-deep in dust (or, in season) mud.

[Paragraph Source: Rediscover Armenia Guide]

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"detail of carvings above door" © 2001 Raffi Kojian, All Rights Reserved