Odzun: Vacation Apartments and Holiday Homes

The Odzun Church stands in the central part of Odzun. Those wishing to rent a vacation apartment in Odzun can continue searching for accommodation afterward.

Culture

The Odzun Church is stylistically dated to the late 6th century. Its prayer hall is divided into three naves by two rows of pillars. An outer gallery surrounds the prayer hall on three sides and is described as a uniquely preserved example in Armenia.

The church is built of hewn basalt and light-brown felsite. Its exterior and interior walls bear numerous Armenian inscriptions. Above the baptismal font is a relief of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child. The church walls also preserve numerous older stones decorated with reliefs; 25 of them are dated to the 4th century.

The Odzun Church is described as being fully preserved, although reconstruction work has been carried out over the course of time. Next to it stands an unusual 5th- to 6th-century funerary monument with sculpted pillars and reliefs depicting biblical scenes as well as the Christianization of Armenia. At the southeastern edge of the village lie the ruins of the 5th-century Tziranavor-Tzaghkavank Basilica.

Routes and Activities

Horse riding is offered near Odzun and Dsegh. The rides last from a few hours to several days and offer views of the Debed Gorge. A hiking excursion from the Temple of Odzun leads to Nerkin Horomayr Monastery, then continues to Kobayr Monastery and includes a stop at Verin Horomayr Monastery.

As a nearby activity, an 8 km hike is followed by rafting on the Debed River. The rafting section runs from Tumanyan District to Sanahin District. The Odzun–Horomayr–Kobayr Trail is described as a 9 km linear route through the Lori Gorge.

Nature

The Odzun Church stands on a high plateau above the Debed Gorge. The view over the gorge from the Odzun Plateau depends greatly on the weather conditions. At the end of the village, near a khachkar, there is a viewpoint overlooking the Debed River. From there, there is also an elevated view of the city of Alaverdi.

Local Character

Local residents may offer herbal tea and homemade jam while sharing local stories. A local resident may also offer quince vodka for tasting as a regional beverage.

More destination profiles: Alaverdi, Vahagnadzor, Lermontov, Tumanyan, Stepanavan, Dzoraget, Vanadzor, Dsegh.

For the broader travel overview: Lori.