Tsakhats Kar Monastery
Ցաղաց քարի վանք
A cluster of 10th- to 14th-century monasteries deep in a valley north of Smbataberd. Small chapels and carved khachkar cross-stones are scattered across high alpine meadows.
Tsakhats Kar means 'Flowering Stone.' The monastery was built between the 10th and 14th centuries and was an important religious center of the Orbelian noble family. Surviving structures include the Church of St. John, the Church of the Holy Cross and several other small chapels, along with remains of a narthex. Finely carved khachkar cross-stones are scattered throughout the site. It sits at an altitude of about 2,000 meters, surrounded by open alpine meadows and rock walls, with few visitors and a sense of quiet remoteness. You can hike along the ridge from Smbataberd in about 1.5 hours, or drive a 4WD along a dirt road. It is best visited on the same day as Smbataberd.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Zorats Church
- Jewish Cemetery of Yeghegis
- Smbataberd
- Spitakavor Monastery
- Tanahat Monastery
- Selim Caravanserai
- Mozrov Cave
- Areni-1 Cave & Areni Wine Village