Continuing,     the    road     reaches Vernashen, (historical name Srkoghovk, known till 1946 as Bashkend) site of the Masis shoe factory. Inhabitants came from Salmast in 1829. In village, S. Hakob church of 17^th c.   built   with     earlier carved blocks, has  been  converted into  a  museum for the Gladzor university.  There   are   photographs

   Some   150  meters  E  past  the  main turnoff into downtown Yeghegnazdor, a paved road goes S toward Agarakadzor, just across the Arpa. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right and follow the dirt road downstream about  2  km  to  the   well- preserved 13^th c. bridge which  served once the road to  Julfa.  There  is  a  13- 15^th c.  graveyard  2km  E  of  town.  On

and maps charting the existence of educational institutions in Armenia, and the influence of Gladzor and its pupils. Outside the door are seven modern khachkars representing the trivium and qvadrivium, the 7 branches of medieval learning. Tanahati Vank (or Tanade), the actual site of the university is 7 km SE continuing along the same narrow paved road. About 3 km E of Tanahati Vank is Arkazi S. Khach (Holly Cross) Vank, a church completely rebuilt in 1870-71, still a significant piligrimage site particularly on October 8 or 11. According to legend, a piece of the true Cross, given by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius to the wife of Burtegh, ruler of Syunik, was buried in the walls. Boloraberd or Proshaberd fortress, is 6-7 km N of Vernashen on a poor jeep track (left just beyond Gladzor U. Museum). The fortress was built in 13^th c. by Prince Prosh, namesake of the Proshian family; shrine to E. About one km distant is the Spitakavor S. Astvatsatsin church, built in 1321 by the Proshians.

the N bank of the Arpa somewhere nearby is the abandoned site of Erdes with a ruined medieval castle and a small church.