Itinerary

1. Gyumri Tour

   • Visit Marmashen Monastery, a 10th-century Armenian monastic complex that consists of five churches near the village of Marmashen in the Shirak Province of Armenia.
   • Marvel at the Sev Berd or Black Fortress, which was built on top of a hill, and the full fortification took a decade after the first stones were laid in 1834. The fortress is a 360-degree round structure made of black stone, from which it gets its name.
   • Pay a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God or Our Lady of Seven Wounds, a 19th-century church in Gyumri, Armenia. The cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The church was constructed between 1873 and 1884.
   • See St. Nshan (St. Cross) church built in 1859-1864. According to the inscriptions above the southern and northern entrances, the church was named St. Astvatsatsin until 1870. This is one of the earliest apostolic churches in Gyumri. 
   • Explore St. Gregory, the Illuminator's church. This name was given to the church because of the construction the peasants carried out with their expenditure and according to their own "taste" without maintaining the symmetries accepted in Armenian architecture.
   • Walk through Vardanants Square; Gyumri's large central town square has a rectangular shape (280 by 140 meters). The square is decorated with several fountains with a memorial to the Battle of Avarayr at the central part.
   • Varpetats means belonging to the Masters-The Street of Masters. This is where you meet can three greatest masters of Gyumri of all times. The house museums of Hovhannes Shiraz, Mher Mkrtchyan and Avetiq Isahakyan.
   • Go to Avetiq Isahakyan Museum. Since ancient times Gyumri has been the birthplace of outstanding artists, poets, musicians, composers and sculptors. Here, you can find the museum of the famous Armenian poet Avetiq Isahakyan.
   • Stroll through Maxim Gorki Park, located in the heart of the town. It is a lovely green large area with walking alleys and children's amusement facilities, worth seeing monuments. 
   • Head to the Khachkar Park. The word "khachkar" is formed by two Armenian roots: "Khach" (cross) and "kar" (stone). A typical khachkar is made out of volcanic basalt or tuff. In the center of the cross is the symbol of Crist's crucifixion, which is usually resting on the symbol of the sun or of the wheel of eternity. The cross and its surroundings are covered by fine patterns or images of grapes and leaves.