Explore Tavoush Region and Dilijan Old town

Words alone cannot express the natural beauty of the Tavoush Region. The rocky hillsides and flat peaks shrouded in the dense forests of the region give the north of Armenia a characteristic look.

More than 120 kinds of trees including beech, oak, yew, and pine give richness to the textured landscape. The region is teeming with rivers, lakes, and natural mineral springs. Several resorts, hotels, and treatment centers can be found in Tavoush. The towns of Ijevan and Dilijan, the main industrial and resort centers of the region are equally famous for their cultural heritage and activity.

As the serpentine road winds through the mountains towards Dilijan, the landscape undergoes a gradual but thorough metamorphosis as more and more plants and then trees appear. The town itself, with its preserved wooden house from pre-soviet days, is the most famous of Armenia's regional cultural districts, boasting a rich legacy of craftsmanship, music, and the arts.

Turning back the clock, this region of Armenia bustled with activity as the Silk Road passed through this center of monastic life and learning, with signs of this activity evident at the impressive monasteries at Goshavank and Haghartsin. The Dilijan national park is a showcase of a broad variety of animals and plants, many of which are identified as endangered species or nurtured for protection.

Goshavank- Nor-Ghetik or Goshavank is an example of 12th-13th century architecture. It was founded by Mkhitar Gosh, a medieval Armenian ruler who was both a scholar and a politician.  The monastic complex of Goshavank consists of three churches, as well as a large reading hall. The buildings were constructed in the late 12th and early 13th century. The Monastery itself was founded in 1188 and it formed a significant cultural centre during the Middle Ages. The smallest of the churches St. Gevorg named for St Gregory the Illuminator (1237) also served as a courtroom and it housed Armenia's first collection of law books. The earliest building is the Church of the Virgin (1191-1196). A number of small chapels complete the site, surrounded by delicately carved khatchkars, works of the master Pavhos (13th century), one of which is displayed now in the State Museum of Armenian History.

Haghartsin- The monastery is located several km east of Dilijan, in a remote mountain setting. This monastic group of buildings, near the town of Dilijan includes three churches, and a refectory. The principal church St. Astvatsatin was built in 1281, as a cupola structure, with a tall drum. This is the biggest building, the artistic dominant of the ensemble. The south entrance is crowned with decorative moldings. All the walls, except the west one, have two triangular niches on the outside. The most ancient of the group is the church of Saint Grigor (11th century). The refectory built in 1248 by the architect Minas, is one of the best representatives of medieval Armenian architecture: a structurally daring concept is divided into a pair of communicating square halls, roofed with intersecting arches.

Jukhtakvank- Jukhtak monastery is nestled in an attractive forest grove with picnic tables. The near church, St. Grigor, was built probably in the 11th or 12th c. The dome disappeared long ago, and the foundation and walls have been brutally reinforced against the collapsing soft stone below. 

Dilijan National Park- Dilijan Reserve was elevated to National Park status in 2002 and it occupies an area of approximately 28,000 hectares - an area roughly one-sixth as large as the area of Lake Sevan National Park. While the National Park doesn't present the whole diversity of the flora of Northern Armenia, it has over 1000 species of plants. In the park's fauna 107 species of birds are distinguished such as Common Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Lesser Spottled Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Eagle Owl and others.  There are 45 species of mammals such as brown bear, wolf, fox, badger, beech marten, and even a small number of leopards. There are numerous historical-architectural monuments and archeological sites on the territory of the National Park. These include the Goshavank, Matosavank and Hagartsin Monasteries.  The "Parz Lich" (Clear Lake) is in the territory of the Park. There is no swimming in the lake, but it is a nice picnic spot.