Ashtarak: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Culture

Ashtarak is associated with the 7th-century Surb Astvatsatsin Church, also known as Karmravor, the 5th-century Tsiranavor Church, and the 13th-century Spitakavor Church in Berdatagh. There are also bridges from the 10th century and from 1664. The Saint Sargis Church in Ashtarak dates from the 13th century. Karmravor is distinguished by red tuff stone and striking architecture, while Tsiranavor is described as a church converted from an ancient pagan temple.

A local legend connects Ashtarak’s churches—Karmravor, Tsiranavor, and Spitakavor—with three sisters and Prince Sargis. A water and irrigation system in the Ashtarak area is described as Urartian and approximately 3,000 years old, and is identified as a tourist attraction in Ashtarak.

The Perch Proshyan House-Museum was established in 1948 at the writer’s birthplace in Ashtarak. It is located in Old Ashtarak near the Karmravor, Tsiranavor, and Spitakavor churches, as well as the old bridge over the Kasakh River. The museum includes a cellar and a tandoor room with household items and tableware made of copper, clay, and wood from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Old Ashtarak has houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as narrow, well-kept lanes with a small canal running through the streets. The balconies and verandas are designed with wooden arches and railings. Many of the balconies in Old Ashtarak were built to capture the cool air rising from the bottom of the gorge. The Ashtarak Bridge offers views of the Kasagh Gorge.

Cuisine

Ashtarak is characterized by a mosaic of vineyards and orchards. The Ashtarak area has a long tradition of winemaking. Ashtarak and the Aragatsotn region are associated with master classes in baking gata and lavash, as well as making sujukh and arishta.

Visitors can try Armenian cuisine at Yeganyan's Gastro and Wine Yard, Ashtarakats, and Tatoents Qotuk.

Other destinations: Awan, Byurakan, Oshakan, Yernjatap, Jrambar.

Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Ashtarak can continue their accommodation search afterwards.

To the higher-level travel overview: Aragatsotn.