Yeghegnadzor

Yeghegnadzor lies in southern Armenia at around 1,195 metres altitude in Vayots Dzor Province ('Gorge of Sorrow'), about 120 km south-east of Yerevan along the M-2 highway to Iran. The town of some 8,000 inhabitants is the administrative and educational centre of one of Armenia's most sparsely populated yet most spectacular regions, famed for its deep gorges, lofty monasteries and ancient winemaking culture. Only a few kilometres away lies the Areni-1 cave, where archaeologists have uncovered, among other things, the oldest known winery in the world (about 6,100 years old) and a 5,500-year-old leather shoe. Nearby attractions include the dramatic cliffside monastery complex of Noravank set in red rock, the wine-festival village of Areni, the Mozrov cave system and the 5th-century Smbataberd fortress plateau.

Nearby cities

Vayk

Vayk is a small town in southern Armenia, nestled in a valley and surrounded by rugged mountain terrain.

Martuni

Martuni is a town situated on the southern shores of Lake Sevan, known for its fishing and agriculture.

Nakhchivan

Nakhchivan is the capital of the autonomous republic of the same name, an exclave of Azerbaijan.

Gavar

Gavar is a mountainous city located near Lake Sevan, known for its cold winters and historical monuments.

Vardenis

Vardenis is a town located near the southeastern shore of Lake Sevan, acting as an agricultural hub.

Lchashen

Lchashen is a village near Lake Sevan, widely recognized for its important Bronze Age archaeological discoveries.

Sevan

Sevan is a popular resort town on the shores of Lake Sevan, Armenia's largest body of water.

Ararat

The city of Ararat is an industrial town in the Ararat plain, known primarily for its large cement factory.

History & landmarks

Noravank

A monastery in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River, famous for its reddish limestone cliffs.

Selim (Orbelian's Caravanserai)

Armenia's best-preserved caravanserai, a 14th-century stop on the Silk Road located at 2410 meters altitude.

Sevanavank

A monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan with scenic views.

Zorats Karer

A prehistoric archaeological site, often referred to as the Armenian Stonehenge, consisting of hundreds of large standing stones.

Nature

Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.

Lake Batabat

A picturesque high-mountain lake in Nakhchivan, famous for its floating peat island.

Lake Akna

Lake Akna is a picturesque crater lake in the Geghama Mountains, surrounded by alpine meadows.

Aras River

The Aras marks the southern border of Armenia and plays an important role in the region's history.

More places

Vayots Dzor Pomegranate Orchards

The warm and dry conditions in Vayots Dzor are ideal for growing pomegranates, the symbol of life in Armenia.

Smbataberd Fortress

A medieval fortress located upon the crest of a hill between the villages of Artabuynk and Yeghegis.

Noravank

A 13th-century Armenian monastery, located in a narrow gorge known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs.

Vayk Mountain Range

A rugged mountain range in southern Armenia, standing out for its aridity and steepness.

Areni Wine Region

The mountainous Areni region is world-famous for its ancient grape varieties and traditional Armenian winemaking in clay jugs.

Jermuk Mineral Water Factory

The Jermuk Mineral Water Factory bottles the famous, naturally sparkling water from the Jermuk springs.

Amulsar Gold Mine

The Amulsar Gold Mine is a large gold mining project in the Vayots Dzor Province.

Vardenis Mountains

A mountain range forming the southern boundary of the Lake Sevan basin.