Rock pinnacles
Tower-like.
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Khndzoresk is a deep gorge in southern Armenia, filled with tower-like rock pinnacles, caves cut into the rock that once served as homes and green wooded slopes. The village stands at 1,580 m on the slopes of a deep gorge that, by tradition, gave it its name. At the end of the 19th century Old Khndzoresk was the largest village in eastern Armenia, and its people lived in the artificial caves until the 1950s, when the new village was built above the gorge. At the bottom of the gorge is the 17th-century church of St Hripsime. You walk down into the gorge, wander among the caves and rock formations, and see the old church at the bottom. The gorge is about 7.5 km in a straight line east of Goris. The path down is steep, so wear proper shoes. The UK advises against all travel within 5 km of the eastern border with Azerbaijan, which lies near this area, so check current advice.
Tower-like.
Old homes.
At the bottom.
Near Goris, Syunik Province, southern Armenia
Until the 1950s.
The path is steep, so take your time.