The stern guardian of Armenia's main treasure

Armenia is home to the gigantic Lake Sevan—the largest in the Caucasus and the second largest in the world. The Sevan Peninsula juts into the lake from the northwest. Here lies Sevanavank, the most famous of Armenia's monasteries. It is a place with a rich history and an incredibly powerful energy! The walls of the monastery churches are made of smoothly hewn tuff and uncut basalt. These rocks are dark in color, so from a distance the buildings appear almost black. Because of this, this ancient complex is often called the "Black Monastery." The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists come here from all over the world. You can reach Sevanavank from Yerevan in just an hour, covering 60 km. It is advisable to visit in the morning, before tour buses arrive at the monastery. At this time, the monastery is very quiet and cozy, and you can enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Sevan, which stretches for many kilometers around. It's worth noting that the climb to the monastery is not easy—it's reached by a steep stone staircase of 230 steps. Rumor has it that if a pilgrim climbs it three times, it's considered equivalent to visiting Mecca. Services are held regularly here, and the singing of the Sevanavank choir is captivating, as the monastery churches have excellent acoustics. In the church courtyard, you can see an entire exhibition of khachkar crosses. Sevanavank is a must-see during a trip to Armenia. Only here can you truly experience the beauty of Lake Sevan and the incredible power of the Sevan Peninsula—a place steeped in prayer for centuries, an incredibly spiritual place.