UNDER CONSTRUCTION

   Continuing, one  passes  on   the    left an unmarked dirt road to Chinchin and then descends steeply into the valley of the Hakhum river, and Tsaghkavan (until 1939 Veligegh). The important Shkhmuradi Vank of the 12-13th c. with S. Astvatsatsin church built in 1181, is W of town about 6 km up the river valley; 150 m  up    from  the  monastery

   Next   village  E   is  Varagavan   (till 1978 Azizlu). To reach the charmingly sited monastery of Nor Varagavank, with S. Astvatsatsin church of 1237, Anapat 1198, David Ishkhan tomb/shrine 13th c, enter the village at the cemetery, then follow the main road through the village (when in doubt, always bear  left),  about  4.5 km

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

is 6-5th c. fortress called Kalkar.  Some 2 km N of Kalkar and 1.5 km N of the road to Shkhmuradi Vank is another similar fort called Sevkareri Blur.  One km NE of this fort is a third, Sevkareri Takht on the left bank of the Hakhum River. In front of the cattle breeding farm of Tsaghkavan village on the right bank of the river is another cyclopean fort called Baghri Khach.

        

through pleasant woods.