From Yerevan to Gyumri

This is a monument, with all the letters of the Armenian alphabet:

Heading northbound, we stop in Amberd, a 7th-century fortress located 2,300 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Aragats. The name translates to "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian.

 

Then Saghmosavank, a 13th-century monastic complex, situated atop the precipitous gorge of the Kasagh river, against the background of Mount Aragats

 

Next visit is for Harichavank, one of the most famous monastic centers in Armenia, which was especially renowned for its school and scriptorium.
Archaeological excavations indicate that Harich was in existence during the 2nd century, and was one of the more well known fortress towns in Armenia.
We are lucky enough to meet a young seminarist, Pavlik, who patiently answers our questions.

It is raining cats and dogs, bad luck for the pictures, but it makes the temperature a lot nicer.

In the evening, we reach Gyumri, close to the Georgian border and to the epicentre of the 1988 earthquake, where we have dinner in a typical fish restaurant located near the Russian military base (near the base, not IN the base...).