Forest churches
Among the oaks.
Aleksey Chalabyan a.k.a. Xelgen — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Beko — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soghomon Matevosyan — CC BY-SA 4.0
A medieval monastic complex hidden in a densely wooded valley northeast of the town of Dilijan, with stone churches and conical domes among oak and beech trees, counted among the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia for its enchanting setting. The complex was built between the tenth and thirteenth centuries and includes several churches, a large refectory with crossed arches, monks' buildings and carved stone slabs. Its name, by popular tradition, means the play of the eagle, from a tale of an eagle circling the site as it was built. In 2005 the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, visited the monastery and was moved by its condition, and he funded its full restoration, carried out between 2008 and 2013; a plaque at the entrance records the gift. Entry is free, and the forest road to it is one of the loveliest drives in the region, especially in autumn when the trees turn. There is a small restaurant and a spring near the car park, and modest dress is required inside the churches.
Among the oaks.
Crossed arches.
On the road.
Forests of Dilijan National Park, about 18 km northeast of Dilijan
Its restoration in 2008-2013 was funded by the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.