Twelve dragon stones, medieval stone-door caves and churches dating from widely separated centuries give Awan a distinctive cultural and historical profile. There is also a hike rated as easy, covering five kilometres round trip. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide what to focus on: the cultural heritage or the guided hike, which includes a visit to a church?
Dragon Stones at Karmir Sar
The Vishapakar complex of Karmir Sar (Tirinkatar) lies in the southern highlands of Aragats, within the ancient Karmir Sar archaeological site. The archaeological complex dates from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BC. It includes twelve dragon stones: eight are bull-shaped and four fish-shaped. These forms give the site a different character from Awan’s later churches and caves. Those interested in archaeological sites will find a distinctive focus here, clearly different from the medieval remains.
Churches from Different Centuries
The parish Church of the Holy Mother of God is dated to the 17th–19th centuries. The Church of St. Hovhannes dates further back: it was built in the 5th–6th centuries and is now a ruin. Both churches are registered monuments in the Awan community. As part of a heritage preservation initiative, the grounds of both churches were cleared and improved in 2017. Their different dates help put the churches in context: here, a span of several centuries sits alongside an early medieval origin.
Stone-Door Caves on the Aragats Slopes
Within Awan’s municipal boundaries, caves with stone doors are found on the southern slopes of Aragats. These caves date from the early and late Middle Ages; most were made in existing caves. Across several communities, the stone-door caves are regarded as monuments of great archaeological and historical value. They are also associated with the hidden storage of food. The caves thus add another form of historical use to the picture conveyed by the churches and the Vishapakar complex.
Hiking and Other Activities
A hike to Awan, rated as easy, includes a visit to the local early Christian church. The round-trip distance is five kilometres. Hiking boots and clothing are recommended. The tour includes transport in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus and an Armenian-speaking guide; English summaries may be available. Before planning, check with the provider for current availability and details about the route, transport and languages.
Awan is also designated as a paragliding launch site. If you plan this activity, check local conditions and the availability of a provider. This is a different focus from the hike: one takes you to a designated launch site, while the other combines a set route with a visit to an early Christian church.
If you want to include the guided hike, plan your trip around the current tour details. If you are more interested in the cultural monuments, plan to visit the churches, caves and Karmir Sar complex as separate stops. Then you can check whether your chosen accommodation suits your own itinerary, rather than basing your stay solely on one excursion.
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