Historic places in Dilijan

13 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Dilijan.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

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Aghavnavank Monastery
12th-13th century monastic complex. The church is a small structure with the dome in the center and its depositories. It is built with yellowish polished stone. Hood of the dome and roof were covered with polished slabs, but only few of which preserved. Shaped stones of cornice fell down. There are also numerous constructions remained to the south of monument, which most probably constituted logistical and residential premises of the church congregation.
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Goshavank Monastery
Goshavank monastery is surrounded by a traditional village. There is a groundskeeper who opens the main church building up for visitors and can give a tour. This is the one church in all of Armenia where entrance to one of the chambers is not free. The chamber is nice, but you can certainly enjoy the rest of the complex without it, especially since it may not be offered in English. There are excellent carved details and khachkars here, but the "lacework" khachkar at Goshavank is one of the most impressive in the world.
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Haghartsin Monastery
One of Armenia's most popular monasteries, Haghartsin is nestled in lush forested mountains about a half hour drive from Dilijan. The monastery is in good condition and has a resident priest who sometimes gives tours. There are a few different churches, a large gavit, a huge dining hall, khachkars and a massive hollow tree. A slightly sweet bread is often being baked in an old oven.
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Mantash Fortress
Ashot Yerkat Fortress, Mantashberd
It was built under the Arab rule and was one of Armenia's invulnerable fortresses. Ruins of the fortress has two entrances, the doors of which were made of large stones. The passable parts of the mountain are fortified with walls that have pyramid-shaped towers on top.
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Old Dilijan historic complex
A little cobbled street with the traditional buildings. Created in 1979 by artist Hovhannes Sharambeyan. The aim of the historic center was to present the history of Dilijan, its lifestyle, and the interest of the people who live there. Here instead of the previously established workshops and houses, 16 studios were opened where you could see items used in everyday life as well as handmade works of Dilijan craftsmen and artists. In 2005 the territory was leased by American-Armenian businessman James Tufenkian, who has already had a list of hotel complexes named “Tufenkian Hospitality” Ltd.
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The Geological Museum and Art Gallery of Dilijan
Here are some excerpts from the "Page Info" page of this small museum's Facebook site: "The Geological Museum and Art Gallery of Dilijan which was founded in 1950... provides a comprehensive view of the history of the Dilijan Region, the historical development of the local people, their way of life, material culture monuments, historical and geographical conditions.""[The land of Dilijan was so rich in archeological relics] that it... was able to provide museums of the... city with [items that are] more than 3,000 years old.... The rare pictures stored here also make the Geological Museum of Dilijan a treasury." It contains works by Armenian and Russian painters, "Dutch, Italian and French painters of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries", etc.Following your guided tour of the museum, you can participate in a hands-on workshop The Art of Printmaking which will help you discover and differentiate among the artistic processes and practices of printmaking. The workshop will also teach you the specialized technique of transferring images from a matrix (e.g., a metal plate, block of wood, stone, linoleum) onto another surface, such as paper or fabric. All necessary materials and equipment are provided to create your own print based on already-incised images on different matrices. At the end of the workshop, you will be able to take home your new artwork.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00; during summer till 21:00
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Goshavank – Gosh Lake
A short walk down from Goshavank Monastery there is a small Gosh Lich (Lake). It has a nice picnic area there.
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Haghartsin Monastery – Shamakhyan Village
From tourist information center take the road north to Ijevan, after 8 km turn left ( there will be a sign for Haghartsin Monastery). Follow it for another 6 km. The beginning of the trail is 100 meters before the road ends (near the chapel with khatchkars).
See Not mapped
Historic museum
In a 19th century house decorated with furniture, carpets and crockery of that time.
3,000 dram
See Not mapped
Jukhtak Vank Monastery
A nice little an 11th– or 12th-century monastery. Huge iron bands hold one of the two churches together, preventing its collapse.
See Not mapped
Matosavank Monastery
A 13th-century small Armenian monastery, hidden in a forested area 3 km northwest from the town. It sits in close proximity to the monastery of Jukhtak Vank as well as to a nearby cemetery. The church is in ruin and it is easy to miss, and not terribly interesting from the outside, but the inside is a cool, moist, green, mossy world unto itself. The low light illuminating bright green algae-covered khachkars is very soothing, and the environment transports you far from your daily life.
Do Not mapped
Parz Lake – Goshavank Monastery
A 3-hr hike. There is a sign near a lake marking beginning of the trail.
Do Not mapped
Sewing history and culture
The Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan is a non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing the civic participation of young people for community development. One of its other projects is ARMENECOOP, which provides training in leadership, entrepreneurship, sewing, and pottery for unemployed women from the Dilijan area. ARMENECOOP also offers a sewing class in Dilijan where visitors may learn about the history of sewing and make a roll-up pencil case or a tote-bag decorated with Dilijan’s distinctive motifs.
Classes are available 7 days a week, from 11:00 to 18:00. Reservations must be made 1 day in advance.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Dilijan (CC BY-SA 4.0).