Tsaghkadzor Sights: Monastery and Museum
Sightseeing in Tsaghkadzor means a medieval monastery, a house-museum, a statue, a summit view and a small park, all within a short drive or walk of each other. Check gov.uk and travel.state.gov for current Armenia advice before you go.
Kecharis Monastery
Kecharis stands on a wooded hillside in the northern part of town and is visible from the slopes. Entry is free. No opening hours are published, so go in daylight.
The complex has four churches, a gavit and several chapels. St Grigor dates to the 11th century. Surp Nshan is also 11th century and was rebuilt in 1223 according to an inscription. Katoghike was built between 1203 and 1214. The founder was Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni, and the monastery has been restored. The small church of Surp Harutyun, dated 1220, stands apart in a forest glade a short walk west of the main group.
This is a functioning Armenian Apostolic church complex, so dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees and keep voices low. The Wikipedia entry on Kecharis gives the building dates.
Orbeli Brothers House-Museum
The museum at Orbeli Brothers Street 12 is the house where Levon (Leon) Orbeli, the physiologist, was born. It became a house-museum in 1972 and holds about 2,000 exhibits across a scientific section and a memorial hall. His brothers were Hovsep (Joseph), an orientalist who directed the Hermitage, and Ruben, founder of Soviet underwater archaeology.
It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00. An adult ticket costs 1,400 AMD, ages 12 to 18 pay 700 AMD and children under 12 enter free. Details are on the official museum site .
The summit view
The top chairlift station sits at 2,819 m, and the ride up takes about 32 minutes. In clear weather you can see Lake Sevan to the east and, in good visibility, Mount Ararat to the south-southwest. The summit of Mount Teghenis is a little higher, at about 2,851 m. Lifts run daily from 10:00 to 17:30 (ropeway.am ), and a ride is about 3,000 AMD, so confirm at the ticket office. The top is cold in every season, so bring a windproof layer.
Leonid Yengibarov monument
A bronze statue of the clown Leonid Yengibarov stands on Tsaghkunyats Street in the town centre. Sources point to an unveiling in 2012 and the sculptor David Minasyan. It is a quick photo stop on the way to the museum.
The city park
The park on the hill near Kecharis is known as the Action Park and has a zipline, a VR simulator, trampolines, bicycle paths and cafes. It is more of a leisure stop than a sight, and it is a short walk from the monastery.
From the street
The Olympic Sports Complex was built in 1967 as the Soviet training base for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and renovated in 2007 and 2008. It is a working training complex with its own hotel, best treated as a view from the street.
Read more: walking tours in Tsaghkadzor . For guided options, browse GetYourGuide .