UNDER CONSTRUCTION

   Toward the E end of Vardablur,  a muddy road leads N across the fields to the impressive gorge of the Dzoraget River and to the ruined 6/7^th c. Jgrashen church on the edge.

   Entering  Kurtan  from  the  W,  you pass a small ruined single-aisle church. The main road then angles right to cross the stream. Keeping straight on toward the village, you pass a number of large official buildings and then, on the left, after a large school yard and fountain,  reach

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

the ethnographic museum, open 11-5. A bit beyond is a partially restored S. Astvatsatsin single-aisle basilica, allpaegedly of the 5^th c.The paved road from Kurtan gradually descends E along the side of the gorge, heading toward the Debed river. At 6.3 km from the Kurtan intersection, after a series of switchbacks, you reach a spring, monument and picnic table, from which spot a rough track descends to Hnevank on a hill inside the dramatically beautiful gorge, near where the Dzoraget and Gargar rivers join.This splendid monastery, decorated with fine stone carving, was built originally in the 7^th c., but totally rebuilt by lord Smbat of the then Georgian but later Armenian  Orbeli/Orbelian family princes of Syunik, in 1144. About 1.5 km beyond Hnevank, a deteriorated dirt road cuts back toward the monastery, crossing the river on a modern bridge and switchbacking up the far side to emerge at Arevatsag. However, just before leaving the gorge the road passes two steep hills facing one another across the gorge, each garnished with a small fortress/monastery.