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Photo: Soghomon Matevosyan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
With the possible exception of Kobayr Monastery, Akhtala has the most exquisite frescoes in Armenia. This fortified monastery, with massive gates and beautiful details, carvings, and ruins, is above a mining town of the same name. Built by the intertwined Armenian-Georgian royalties of the times, this monastery captures the best of both. There are sunken rooms, arches that outlasted their buildings, and nice views.
Akhtala, also known as Pghindzavank is a 10th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery located in the town of Akhtala in the marz of Lori, 185 kilometers (115 mi) north of Yerevan and 87 kilometers south of Tbilisi. The monastery is currently inactive. The fortress played a major role in protecting the north-western regions of Armenia (Gugark) and is among the most well preserved of all in modern Armenia. The main church at the compound is famous for its highly artistic frescoes, which cover the inside walls, the partitions, and the bearings of the building. The frescoes of Akhtala Monastery, in Armenian-Chalcedonian style, were commissioned by the Zakarid ruler Ivane I Zakarian in 1205–1216.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Part of the same UNESCO site as Sanahin, you'll have a hard time choosing a favourite. The labyrinth of passages, chambers, khachkars and views will leave you wondering how this masterpiece was built. A combined UNESCO world heritage site, these two monasteries sit on top of opposite sides of the Debed Canyon and have vied for first place with one another ever since the beginning. Both are gems, with extensive grounds, buildings and each with a bell tower. Haghpat has a colored khachkar famous for depicting Jesus - highly uncommon among khachkars, and has half-buried buildings.
Ruins of a small black fortress built in 1233.
Narekatsi church
New town church completed in 2001.
Local hiking guides able to show you some of the hidden trails of the Alaverdi countryside.
Artyom Mikoyan was a famous aeronautical engineer and designed the aircraft of the Mikoyan-Gurevich fighter series (MiG parked out front), while his brother Anastas become Premier of the USSR. The price includes a guided tour in English (translated folders in German, French and Spanish are also available at the museum).
From this bridge you can walk up to the top of the canyon and further to Sanahin monastery.