Places to Go

Syunik

Discover Syunik, the soul-stirring gem of Armenia’s south!

Embark on an enchanting journey through time along ancient Silk Road routes. Delve into the Paleolithic era with mesmerizing prehistoric petroglyphs, wander through a Bronze Age stone settlement and observatory, and marvel at ancient Christian churches and medieval fortresses.

Then, be transported to the present day, where vibrant local communities breathe life into age-old traditions like carpet weaving, stonemasonry, pottery, and traditional song and dance. All this unfolds against the breathtaking backdrop of majestic mountain ranges and plunging river gorges.

Syunik is truly a unique part of Armenia, boasting a diverse tapestry of landscapes that encompass nearly every climate zone found in the country. From the beautiful alpine meadows of Goris, to the rugged splendor of Sisian, the tranquil warmth of Meghri’s valley, and the lush, forested mountains that enfold Kapan, each corner of Syunik offers a distinct and captivating experience of nature’s grandeur. Here you can visit Tatev Monastery, one of Armenia’s most iconic destinations, and

ride the Wings of Tatev Aerial Tramway to get there, the longest reversible cable car in the world! You can venture to the mysterious and abandoned cave villages of Old Khndzoresk and Hin Khot, and visit the vibrant and charming town of Goris, where local artisans are creating beautiful handmade pieces of art like carpets and pottery. And in the region’s villages, you can experience local hospitality and taste delicious local dishes that can only be found here.

Quick info about Syunik

Location

Southernmost province of Armenia, nestled between rugged mountain ranges and bordering Iran and Azerbaijan. Known for its dramatic landscapes, ancient monasteries, and remote charm.

Three thousand meter peaks

7 peaks above 3,000 meters, including the iconic Mount Khustup and Mount Kaputjugh, offering stunning views and challenging hikes.

Cable cars

1 world-famous aerial tramway – the Tatev Aerial Tramway, the longest reversible cableway in the world, connecting Halidzor village with the Tatev Monastery.

Holiday villages / towns

More than 6 scenic destinations including Goris, Kapan, Tatev, Sisian, Meghri, and Agarak – each with its own unique culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.

Culture

Syunik holds a special place in Armenian history as a local cultural hub, developing its own unique artistic styles that can be seen in local architecture, handicrafts, culinary traditions, and ways of life. With its rich historical heritage dating back centuries, there’s an abundance of sights and experiences waiting to be explored.

Tangible cultural heritage

If history and architecture are what you look for when traveling, you’re going to love Syunik. The region’s tangible cultural heritage, that is, heritage that we can store or physically touch, stretches back thousands of years. These monuments, from ancient petroglyphs, to Silk Road caravanserais, medieval monasteries, and mighty fortresses, have stood the test of time and blend seamlessly with their stunning natural surroundings. Let’s check out some of the highlights.

Tatev Monastery

Tatev Monastery is a 9th-century monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the village of Tatev. Historically, it played a significant role as a center of economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity. During the 14th–15th centuries, the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting.

Zorats Karer

Zorats Karer, also known as Karahunj, is a prehistoric archaeological site near the town of Sisian. It is often referred to as the “Armenian Stonehenge” due to its large, stone monuments arranged in a circle, similar to Stonehenge. Karahunj in Armenian means “speaking stone,” related to a whistling sound the stones make on windy days, due to holes carved into the stones at different angles in prehistoric times.

Ukhtasar Petroglyphs

These ancient rock-carvings, believed to date all the way back to the Paleolithic era (7,000 years old), are found on Mount Ukhtasar near the town of Sisian. There are over 2,000 decorated rock fragments that extend to the foot of the mountain, carved onto dark brownish-black volcanic stones left behind by an extinct volcano.

St. Karapet Church in Tolors Reservoir

This 16th century church in the village of Tolors is actually submerged underwater at certain times during the year. That’s because in the 1970s, Soviet authorities constructed the Tolors Reservoir precisely where this church stands. Despite suggestions from scientists and architects to relocate the church, authorities chose to let the reservoir’s waters engulf the historical monument. The water level of the reservoir changes with the seasons. For safety reasons, we recommend waiting until the late summer months to explore the area by foot, as this is when the waters have typically receded to their lowest levels.

Syuni Vank, St. Grigor Lusavorich

Also known as Sisavan, this 6th century monastery is located in the town of Sisian, and is in remarkable condition, considering its age. The monastery is one of the best examples of early Christian architecture in Armenia, and continues to stand tall and proud today with no major alterations to its structure over the centuries.

Aghitu Memorial

This memorial in the village of Aghitu, which dates back approximately 1,500 years, is a very unique complex in Armenia. It served as a funeral structure as well as a memorial for Christian martyrs, similar to the monument at Odzun Church in the Lori region.

Vorotnavank Monastery

This 11th century monastic complex is located along a ridge overlooking the Vorotan Gorge, between the villages of Vaghatin and Vorotan, about 14 kilometers east of the town of Sisian. The complex is surrounded by a high stone wall for defense against foreign invasions and once housed workshops, stores, a seminary, resort, cemetery and an alms-house. A pillar once stood in the yard of the monastery to indicate that kings were inaugurated at the monastery.

Vorotnaberd Fortress

Also known as Davit Bek’s Castle, Vorotnaberd is an important fortress along a ridge overlooking the Vorotan Gorge, between the villages of Vaghatin and Vorotan. Vorotnaberd was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times following years of foreign invasions, including attacks by the Seljuk-Turks and Mongol-Tatars, but it still stands proudly today as a testament to local people’s strength and courage.

Melik Tangi Bridge

Completed in 1855 by the Armenian noble (or melik [meh-leek] as they were called in the old days) Tangi, this bridge was built over the Vorotan River to connect Vorotnaberd Fortress with Vorotnavank Monastery. The bridge is noteworthy not only for its simplistic beauty, but also for the stunning rock formations that surround it in the gorge where it is located.

Tatev Mets Anapat

Tatev Mets Anapat (the Great Hermitage of Tatev) is a 17th-century Armenian monastery located in the Vorotan River Valley. It was constructed by order of Catholicos Hakob IV Jughayetsi. The main part of the hermitage is surrounded by rectangular lime mortar walls with towers.

Cave settlements

One of Syunik’s most fascinating landmarks are its many cave settlements, especially those at Old Khndzoresk, Old Khot, Harzhis, Shinuhayr, and Goris. These settlements were centered around natural caves that local people not only lived in, but built entire villages and towns around. These were fully-functioning settlements with populations that reached several thousand in the old days.

Urban Architecture of Goris

You may be surprised to learn that the town of Goris, as we know it today, was actually planned by a German architect in the 1870s during the time of the Russian Empire. Goris is well known in Armenia for its neatly planned streets and unique local architecture, characterized by one-to-two floored homes and buildings with stone fences and arched gates. Take your time walking down the beautiful little streets of this charming town, which is the center of cultural and economic life in the Syunik region.

Kyores – Historical settlement of Goris

This historic settlement, located on the left bank of the Vararakn River, was the original location of what is today the modern city of Goris. Built in and around a natural cave system, this is one of the historic cave settlements the Syunik region is known for. The historic neighborhood was formed along the natural paths connecting the caves.

St. Hripsime Church

Located in Verishen village very near the town of Goris, this 4th–5th century church is the largest single-nave church in Armenia. In the courtyard of the church, there are several well-preserved khachkars [khahch-kahr] or cross-stones, as well as tombstones with valuable inscriptions dating from the 15th–17th centuries.

Old Khndzoresk Cave Village

This abandoned village is well known because of the many natural and human-made caves that local people used to live in. Fully inhabited around the 17th and 18th centuries with more than 8,000 residents — and partially inhabited until 1958 — Old Khndzoresk once boasted homes, schools, churches, and even a bar where villagers could socialize at night, all partially built inside caves. There used to be approximately 2,000 cave dwellings here, each of which might have housed between 12 and 25 people, depending on the family’s economic status. The size of each dwelling depended on the family’s needs and the position of the rocks. As you explore the different rooms of these houses, you should admire the work of master cave-builders who were highly respected craftsmen in the community.

Bgheno-Noravank Monastery

This is an 11th-century Armenian monastery east of Bardzravan village, on a triangular promontory surrounded by wooded gorges. It now consists of a small church dating to 1062 which was not used for mass service. The church is located on a little wooded promontory, and ornately decorated with borders and biblical reliefs. The ruins of this church were rediscovered in the 1920s by Aksel Bakunts, a well-known local prose writer, on one of his wanderings as an agronomist.

Halidzor Fortress

The fortress is located along a hill overlooking the Voghji River near the town of Kapan. It was originally built by Armenian nobles in the 17th century to serve as a nunnery. It later served as a fortress for the noble Parsadanyan family for a short time. Noble feudal families like the Parsadanyans ruled over territories in the region, called melikdoms, throughout the medieval period. During the 18th century, the famous Armenian military commander and liberator David Bek used the site as his main headquarters as well as an administrative center for Syunik in the fight against the forces of the Ottoman Empire and the Iranians.

Vahanavank Monastery

Vahanavank is a 10th–11th century monastic complex located approximately 5 kilometers west of the town of Kapan, situated at the foot of Mount Tigranasar along the right bank of the Voghji River. The monastery was built over a Bronze Age grave field by Prince Vahan Nakhashinogh, from which it gets its namesake.

Baghaberd Fortress

Baghaberd, also known as Davit Bek Fortress, is a 4th–12th century fortress located along a ridge overlooking the Voghji River, 14 kilometers northwest of Kapan. According to Stepanos Orbelian’s History of the Province of Syunik, in the mid-4th century Prince Andovk, the hereditary lord of Syunik, defeated three military units of the Persian Sassanid King Shapur II by rolling rocks down this cliffside upon them.

Yeritsvank Monastery

This 5th–11th century monastery is located east of the village of Artsvanik near the town of Kapan. Considering its age, it is in rather good condition. The walls of the church are actually extremely tall, but don’t seem to be, because the ground level outside has risen over time, sinking the church a bit.

Bekhi Anapat

Also known as the Hermitage of Tandzaparakh, this 10th century monastery is found deep in the forest above Bekh Village, located west from the center of Kapan. Only accessible by foot or on horseback, the monastic complex features several service buildings standing around a church. If you walk a short distance downhill, you’ll see a small chapel in the woods which was recently uncovered.

Saint Katherine Greek Church in Kavart

You may be surprised to know that there are ruins of a Greek Orthodox Church near the town of Kapan, in the village of Kavart. This church, named the Saint Katherine Church, was built in 1865 by a small community of ethnic Greeks, who moved to this part of Armenia from the Lori province to work in a local copper mine. Like many Greeks in Armenia, they were descendants of Pontic Greeks from the southern coast of the Black Sea.

Pokr Tagh of Meghri

The town of Meghri, the southernmost community of Armenia located on the border of Iran, is divided into two neighborhoods: Mets Tagh, meaning “large neighborhood,” and Pokr Tagh, meaning “small neighborhood.” Pokr Tagh is the old district of Meghri, where you’ll find narrow, cobble-stoned streets lined with rock-hewn century-old homes. This part of town is very charming and authentic – take your time exploring the streets here!

Meghri Fortress

Dating back to the 11th century, this fortress stands proudly in the heart of the town of Meghri, at the border with Iran. It is located on a hill overlooking the old district of the town. The fortress is noteworthy not only for its dramatic location, but also for its unique construction — it boasts six separate towers built on different hills, standing without the typical defensive walls between them, instead using the natural rock formations as a defense.

Shvanidzor Aqueduct

This single-arch aqueduct is located at the south-west edge of the village of Shvanidzor. Built from polished basalt in the 17th century, it still functions to this day and is the most valuable engineering structure of its type built in medieval Armenia.

Museums in Syunik

Aksel Bakunts House-Museum

Located behind a picturesque stone wall and wooden door opening to a beautiful and spacious yard in Goris, this museum offers an intimate glimpse into the life and origins of esteemed writer Bakunts.

Sisian History Museum after Nikoghayos Adonts

The Sisian History Museum is known for a rich ethnographic collection of artifacts from the Syunik region, including household objects, traditional costumes, and textiles

Goris Local Lore Museum

Located in the center of the town of Goris, this museum houses a collection of over 5,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects.

Kapan Local Lore Museum

The Kapan Local Lore Museum, founded in 1969, is dedicated to the preservation, exhibition, and study of the region’s significant archaeological and geological discoveries.

Cuisine

Local cuisine in Syunik reflects the history, cultural traditions, and natural environment of the region. After thousands of years of brewing and perfecting recipes, you can be sure that the foods here, like in all of Armenia, are hearty and delicious. Here are some must-try dishes when traveling through Syunik.

Here are some favorite local dishes in Syunik. See if you can taste all of them while exploring the region!

Zhengyalov hats [zheen-gyah-lohv hahts]: this is a grilled, savory flatbread originally from the Nagorno-Karabakh region that’s also enjoyed in this part of Armenia. Unleavened dough, which is made from just water, salt and flour is rolled out until it becomes paper-thin, then it is filled with the stuffing that consists of 10 to 20 types of diced and oiled wild and cultured herbs. After stuffing, the zhengyalov hats is then fried on a special griddle called a saj or sajin.

Harissa [hah-ree-sah] is a beloved Armenian classic made with tender chicken, wheat, and rich butter, simmered to perfection. This dish used to be traditionally cooked by locals on Christmas Eve.

Chorotan [chohr-ah-tahn]: this is dried fermented buttermilk that can be stored for long periods of time and used to make different dishes such as soups and kyalagosh. What’s kyalagosh? Keep reading!

Kyalagosh [kyah-lah-gosh]: literally meaning “wolf’s meal,” kyalagosh is a thick yogurt soup with lentils, fried onions, dried lavash bread and spices, sometimes including meat like ghavurma. Why is it called “wolf’s meal?” Because it’s quite filling – fit for a wolf. In Syunik, chorotan is used instead of regular yogurt.

Ghavurma [ghah-voor-mah]: these are chunks of beef tenderloin that are salted, boiled, fried, and then preserved in butter or oil.

Nature

As previously mentioned, the natural environment of the Syunik region is incredibly diverse, consisting of nearly every climate zone there is in Armenia, including the warm valley of Meghri, the forested mountains of Kapan, and alpine meadows of Goris.

Nature here is so rich and diverse, that there are eight amazing protected areas: Arevik National Park, Boghar Sanctuary, Goris Sanctuary, Zangezur Sanctuary, Khustup Sanctuary, Shikahogh Reserve, Plane Grove Sanctuary, and the Lake Sev Sanctuary.

Let’s see what natural wonders await in Syunik.

Shaki Waterfall

This 18-meter-tall waterfall is one of Syunik’s, and Armenia’s, most popular natural destinations, and it’s no wonder why. Shaki is unique for its beauty, and for the legend behind its name. According to local lore, 93 local women were kidnapped by invading armies and forced to walk a long distance. When reaching the waterfall, they requested that they be allowed to relax and bathe in the waters. Their captors agreed, but as soon as they entered the river, they disappeared beneath the waters. One woman, named Shakeh, remained, but she too eventually disappeared, which is how Shaki Waterfall got its name.

Vorotan River

Originating in the Syunik Plateau, this river flows for a total of 162 kilometers. Along its course, deep gorges have been carved by erosion, resulting in breathtaking natural vistas. Moreover, numerous historical and cultural monuments of the Syunik province are nestled along the riverbanks, adding to its significance as both a scenic wonder and a repository of local heritage.

Devil’s Bridge

Below Tatev Monastery, nestled in the 500-meter-deep Vorotan River Gorge, lies the awe-inspiring natural wonder known as Devil’s Bridge. Shaped over millennia by the relentless forces of wind and water, this rock bridge showcases the sculpted beauty of petrified lava. Stretching 60 meters in width and 30 meters in length, it serves as the pathway to Tatev Monastery, offering visitors a breathtaking journey. Nearby, warm natural springs beckon, encircled by stunning stalactites of vibrant hues. For those seeking adventure, venturing deeper into the canyon to explore hidden grottos below the springs is possible with the guidance of experienced local experts.

You can hike from Tatev Monastery directly to Devil’s Bridge on the Devil’s Bridge Trail using the free HIKEArmenia app.

Mount Khustup

Mount Khustup is the highest summit of the Katar Mountain Range, located 9 kilometers southwest from the town of Kapan. Cloaked in alpine meadows and forests, its rugged terrain comprises volcanic stones and sedimentary rocks, adorned with numerous caves and cliffs along its slopes. From this lofty summit, hundreds of streams and rivers cascade downward, giving rise to the mighty Vachagan River. Offering a breathtaking spectacle visible from Kapan, Mount Khustup also beckons adventurers to ascend its heights and experience its grandeur firsthand.

Water Reservoirs

Syunik is home to the Tolors, Spandaryan, Angeghakot and Shamb reservoirs, which are vital for the region’s water resources. They’re also very beautiful sites to see, and for a waterside picnic!

Lichk Waterfalls

Near the village of Lichk are a series of small, cascading waterfalls along narrow gorges formed by the Zvaraget and Meghri Rivers. Only a few of these waterfalls are accessible by foot, but they’re absolutely beautiful destinations where you can take in the sites, go for a swim, and feel the healing effects of nature.

Travel agencies and hiking enthusiasts offer expeditions to these hard-to-get-to waterfalls.

Adventure

With its rushing rivers, deep canyons, and towering mountains, you can be sure that there are plenty of outdoor adventure activities to do in Syunik that will get your blood pumping. Let’s check them out!

Horseback Riding

There are few joys like getting out in the wilderness while on horseback. You can go horseback riding in the village of Antarashat, where you’ll get stunning views of Mount Tapasar.

Hiking

Syunik boasts excellent hiking trails, many of which are conveniently marked and have downloadable GPS coordinates to enhance your adventure. Among these trails is the renowned Legends Trail, a captivating 14-day journey spanning 150 kilometers that links the towns of Goris and Kapan. This immersive hike traverses rugged mountain terrain and meanders past ancient monasteries, following the footsteps of the historic Silk Road. While the entire trail can be completed as a cohesive expedition, each section also offers the flexibility for individual day-hikes.

Ziplining

You can experience one of the longest ziplines in Armenia in the town of Kapan. Spanning a total length of 1,080 meters with its highest point from the ground being 160 meters, the zipline actually goes directly over the town – you’ll literally fly over the buildings of Kapan!

Canyoning

Embark on an epic canyoning adventure in Syunik. Get ready for heart-pounding excitement as you explore the stunning Vorotan Canyon and Devil’s Bridge. To show you Armenia like never before and give you memories to treasure forever. You will rappel down cliffs, plunge into refreshing pools, and discover hidden wonders. Get ready to scream with excitement as you explore the wild beauty of Armenia.

You can contact the passionate guides of Scream of Soul for professional assistance. They provide all the gear—you just bring your swimsuit and boots!

Donnez-nous votre avis !

Événements et festivals à venir

5th International Festival of Crafts in Meghri

Meghri will host the 5th International Festival of Crafts on May 16–17, bringing together around 40 artisans, exhibitions, master classes, traditional music and cuisine.

#Culture and lifestyle

#Festival

sam., mai 16 - dim., mai 17

Meghri

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