We offer an opportunity to book a tour to Sevanavank Monastery – one of Armenia’s ancient Christian sanctuaries, located on the shore of Lake Sevan. We take care of professional organization for tours from Yerevan and other cities of Armenia, providing comfortable vehicles and expert guides. We also recommend places where you can taste the best national dishes and drinks. With us, your journey through the hospitable Armenian land will be enjoyable and worry-free, allowing you to fully appreciate the unique nature and beauty of our country.
Sevanavank Monastery: Touching History and More
Armenia is full of silent, majestic witnesses of the past. One of the most iconic is Sevanavank Monastery, situated on the peninsula of Armenia’s largest lake, and the largest in the Caucasus – Lake Sevan. The peninsula was once an island, but after the water level dropped, a land bridge connected it to the shore.
This is a very ancient site: in ancient times there was a pagan temple here. In 305 AD, Saint Gregory the Illuminator built two churches on this site – the small church of Surb Karapet and the larger church of Surb Arutyun (Church of the Ascension). At the end of the 7th century, monks arrived on Sevan Island and built cells and a chapel. Over time, the number of monks grew, and the monastery expanded. The monks manually carved a ledge into the rock around the perimeter of the island, which became the foundation for stone walls built from monolithic blocks. Massive walls with a watchtower and gates reliably protected the monastery, where three more churches, cells, and utility buildings were later added.
The monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, daughter of King Ashot I Bagratuni and wife of Gegharkunik prince Vasak Gabur. At one time, King Ashot II the Iron lived here. Nearby, the Armenian army, led by the king, fought the Arab army and defeated the invaders in the famous Sevan Battle, where the monks of Sevanavank fought alongside the warriors.
From the 16th–17th centuries, the monastery began to decline, and its walls were partially destroyed. In 1930, the last monk left the monastery. During Soviet times, Sevanavank was closed, and the church of Surb Astvatsatsin was almost completely destroyed in 1931, its stones used to build the Sevan Rest House. Remaining structures suffered further damage during the destructive earthquake of 1936.
After Armenia regained independence, the Christian sanctuary at Lake Sevan began to be actively restored, and the monastery complex was literally reborn. Today, Sevanavank is one of Armenia’s most popular spiritual sites, attracting thousands of tourists who come to touch ancient stones and light a candle under church arches more than a thousand years old.
Sevanavank Monastery Today
Today, Sevanavank complex includes two ancient churches – Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin. Their original wooden doors and carved capitals are preserved in the History Museum of Yerevan. Both churches are built in the classic Armenian cross-dome style, characterized by strict lines and a general ascetic simplicity. A spiritual seminary named after Vazgen I operates on the monastery grounds.
From the monastery’s territory, visitors enjoy unmatched views of Lake Sevan and surrounding mountain ranges. The place evokes a sense of peace and contemplation, where you can touch ancient stones and breathe in the fresh mountain air.
Organized Tours to Sevanavank
We offer individual or group tours (5–18 people), which include vehicle transfer (sedan, minibus) and guide services. Drivers and guides speak fluent Russian, making your trip engaging, informative, and memorable. To book a tour, contact us online, via messenger, or by phone.