Aragatsotn region

The administrative center of the Aragatsotn region is the city of Ashtarak, famous for its viticulture and winemaking.

Ashtarak is one of the most ancient settlements of Armenia. According to Roman Empire maps, it is known as Shtrang-Urpia («snake-city»). The city was named so for its elongation on both banks of the Kasakh River. Translated from the Armenian, «ashtarak» means «tower».

In the south of the Aragatsotn region, the village of Akhtsk is located, where the tomb of the Armenian dynasty of Arshakids, dating to the IV century, is situated. Only the light, penetrating through the door opening, illuminates the tomb. On the entrance stone pillars bas-reliefs of hunting scenes are preserved. According to legend, to the left of the entrance the remains of the pagan kings from the Arshakid dynasty were buried, and to the right, near the bas-relief with a cross - the kings who had already accepted Christianity. The sarcophaguses are decorated with bas-reliefs of the IV century. On the right Christian sarcophagus, a warrior, striking a boar with a spear, is depicted. The scene of the battle with a boar symbolizes the war between Armenia and Persia, as the boar was depicted on the Persian king’s seal.   

Aragats, the highest mountain in Armenia (4090 meters above sea level), consists of four peaks. On the slopes of Aragats, there is a high-altitude lake Qari. Many interesting legends are related to the mountain. The name of St. Gregory the Illuminator has a central place in of them. It says that when Grigor Lusavorich ascended to the top of the mountain for prayers, at night he a lamp shone for him. The ever-burning fire descended right from heaven. They say that the lamp lights up when it's dark even nowadays.  

On the slope of Aragats at an altitude of about 2300 meters above sea level, in a picturesque gorge, there is a fortress castle of the VII century – Amberd, located. The walls of the fortress, composed of massive stone blocks, were designed to protect against the attacks by enemies. In the XI century, near the fortress, the Church of Vahramashen (the Church of Amberd) was built.

On the banks of the Kasakh River, 5 km from each other in the homonymous villages, there are the monasteries of Hovhanavank and Saghmosavank situated.

The most ancient building of Hovhanavank monastery is Surb Grigor basilica, dating back to the V century. The Surb Karapet church dates back to the XIII century. An interesting legend is connected with the monastery. When the tatar-mongols came here, its abbot, not wanting to see how the shrine would be desecrated, decided to drown himself in the river. But the Lord did not want to receive him, and he started to walk on the water, as on earth. The leader of the enemy army Tamerlane was amazed by such a miracle. He told the abbot that he could ask for anything from him. The abbot appealed to him with these words: «Let me save as many people as the church will take». Tamerlane agreed. The church miraculously accepted all the villagers, because those who entered it turned into pigeons and flew up into the sky.

Saghmosavank monastery consists of the churches of Surb Sion (1215) and Surb Astvatsatsin (1235), vestibule (1250) and a book depository (1255). It is believed to be founded by Gregory the Illuminator, so that the brethren wrote psalms here. Going around the monastery, one will possibly notice that it does not just located on the bank of Kasakh River, but hangs on the very edge of the rocky breakage of the gorge.

Not far from Ashtarak, in the village of Oshakan Surb Mesrop Mashtots church is located. It was built in the XIX century on an ancient church location, founded by the disciple of Mashtots - Prince Vahan Amatuni. Under the altar the grave Mesrop Mashtots's (Armenian alphabet creator) grave is located. Mashtots died in 440 in Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin). His ashes were moved to Oshakan, since Amatuni was a close friend and admirer of the linguist and scientist. In 1962, at the entrance to Oshakan, a monument in the form of an open book was erected, in the pages of which the letters of the Armenian alphabet were engraved. Surb Mesrop Mashtots church and the monument are among the most visited places in Armenia.

On the southern slope of Mount Aragats, at an altitude of 1490 meters on the outskirts of Byurakan village, one of the leading scientific institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia - Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory is located. The observatory is named after Viktor Hambardzumyan - one of the founders of theoretical astrophysics, as well as the founder of the USSR theoretical astrophysics school. It was founded in 1946 on the initiative of the scientist.