Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia

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Haghartsin monastery is nestled in a temperate rainforest on a mountainside. It is one of those spots in Armenia that feels like you are walking through a huge, unreal movie set. When we arrived in August it was great weather and even though it was in the middle of the day there was mist hanging about making the setting so scenic that even without the monastery it would have been breathtaking. The first warning of the approaching monastery is a small cave-like building and some khatchkars on the left of the road, as you heading down a steep mountainside with another mountain opposite to you, way off to the left. You continue for about another two minutes where you can see the roofs, then the road makes a sharp steep semicircle, and you have arrived at the main complex.

The combination of natural and architectural beauty is very impressive, and most visitors to Armenia do not ever see it. There are three main buildings still standing. Two to the left, and one to the right. The caretaker lives in a small house with his family down a short path from the monastery, you must get him to open the doors if he is not there. Very few people were around which was both sad and nice. He opened the doors and led us around, also allowing us to wander at will. The building immediately to the left was a large hall. Its distinguishing characteristic is the impression you receive when you walk in that it is much bigger than it really is. It is otherwise rather simple and contains many tables and chairs made of huge logs which I would image are for present day weddings or lunches. Past that the two churches are beautiful. The size, proportions, detail, carvings, etc all seem perfect. You can wander around a ruined building, explore the plants and have a nice lunch. It is a very beautifull pleace which you will wisit more than once.

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