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   Opposite of Vardakar is Nor Kyank (till 1940 Mejitli), with ruined 6-7th c. Grigor Lusavorich church.

   Continuing the road SE,  one  reachs the city of Artik. Coming into Artik on the road from Maralik/Pemzashen, turn left at the entrance of town, then right on the flyover across the railroad tracks.  At the town square (WWII monument), continue straight up Tonakanian    St.   to   where   the    two

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adjacent early churches appear on the the left: Marine or Astvatsatsin Church, 5th c.; S. Gevorg church, 7th c. Both are ruined, with restoration interrupted by the collapse of the USSR. There is also an 18th c. church in a cave in a gorge 1 km SE in direction of Harich. Catacomb type tombs of the 14th-9th c. BC have been excavated near Artik as well. The well-preserved Lmbatavank church of the 7th c. stands on a hillside just SW of Artik (S. Stepanos church, important wall paintings). Some interesting 18-19th c. houses also survive in Artik.