Information about Tourist Places to Visit in Lori Province, Armenia
Lori is a northern province of Armenia located between Shirak province and Tavush Province. The city was established by Kind David Anhoghin the first in the 11th century. He laid a foundation of a fortress city which later became the capital of Tashir Dzoraget Kingdom. You can still see the remains of Lori fortress near Stepanavan town. It is among Lori’s top attractions. Before that, the region was referred to as Tashir, which is now one of the a town in Lori province of Armenia. Though time of the kings has passes, there are several historical things to see in Lori pertaining to their history. You will be able to find monasteries and fortresses among places to visit in Lori province. There are also several natural wonders to explore on foot. You might not find designated hiking trails in most of the forest. So it is advisable to stick to adventurous things to do in Lori which are closer to towns. The province has beautiful landscapes of mountains, rivers, valleys, forests, and plateau. Mountain tops are unquestionably the best place for Lori sightseeing and fortunately that’s where most of the towns are built.
There are several historical tourist attractions in Lori province spread across the region. Most of these attractions are churches and monasteries. Some of the most well known among them are Akhtala, Haghpat, Sanahin and Odzun. While Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries are known for their architecture and history, the Akhtala monastery is admired for the beautiful murals in the interior of the church.
There are also four fortresses among things to see in Lori. We already talked about the Lori fortress in the beginning of the article. Other than that, the most popular one is Akhtala Fortress. Another one is located in Alaverdi called Kayan Fortress. There is also a ruined fortress named Avanakar Fortress near Tumanyan.
Besides the nature and historical places to visit in Lori, there are two more reasons to visit the province, though both reasons only occur once a year. Among Lori tourist attractions are Cheese Festival of Tashir and Barbecue Festival of Akhtala. If you are looking for cultural experience, you should be a part of these festivals. You will also get to try the local flavors and explore a variety of Armenian cuisine unique to the region. The festivals are already a popular attraction among people of Armenia as residents from different provinces gather here to be a part of these extravaganzas.
Table of Contents
Best Places to Visit in Lori Province
1. Akhtala Monastery
This is a typical Armenian Monastery and is best known for the frescos inside the church. You will need about an hour to explore it.
2. Haghpat Monastery
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site among places to visit in Lori Province. The church itself comprises of several religious sites ands structures. You will need about an hour to explore them.
3. Kobayr Monastery
This monastery was built in the 12th century is most associated with the Zakarian noble dynasty of Armenia. Much parts of this monastery are in ruins. Some of them have been restored or renovated but he government. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore it.
4. Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum
This museum is dedicated to life and works of renowned Armenian writer and poet Tumanyan Hovhannes. You will need about an hour to explore the exhibits of this house museum.
5. Lori Fortress
This ruined castle is one of the most beautiful things to see in Lori Province. The medieval castle once dominated the mountains around it, but now lies in ruins. You will need about an hour to explore the ruins of this castle.
6. Church of Odzun
This church was established between 5th and 7th century. It is one of the most important cultural places to visit in Lori Province. You will need about 45 minutes to explore this church.
7. Ardvi Monastery
This monastery sits on the slope of Mount Srblis and is surrounded by beautiful forests. It is one of the most well known historical sites to explore while hiking up this mountain. You will need 15 to 20 minutes at this monastery.
8. Dendropark Forest
This forest is the go to for outdoor things to do in Lori Province. It is one of the finest botanical and forest reserve areas in the region. You would need 2 hours to explore the forest.
9. Sanahin Monastery
This monastery is among UNESCO World Heritage sites. This church has deep relation with Armenian literature and spread of literacy in the region. You will need about an hour to explore this church.
10. Hnevank Monastery
This beautiful monastery is a great example of traditional Armenian churches. Much of the monastery stands in ruins, but the central parts of structure still stand proud. You will need 20 to 30 minutes for this monastery.
11. Church of St. Nicholas
This Russian orthodox church was built in 1846. It is among the most unique Lori tourist attractions owing to its architectural style, which drastically differs from most churches in Armenia. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this church.
12. Horomayri Monastery
This monastery is among the most unique and beautiful things to see in Lori Province. It has been structures in a way that it looks to be part of the cliff. There are also parts of the monastery which are atop the cliff. You will need about 2 hours to explore various aspects of this monastery.
Cities to visit in Lori Province in Armenia
- Akhtala
- Alaverdi
- Spitak
- Stepanavan
- Tashir
- Tumanyan
- Vanadzor
Things to do in Lori, Armenia
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Lori, Armenia
- Akhtala Fortress
- Akhtala Monastary
- Avanakar Ruined Fortress
- Church of Holy Mother of God
- Church of Odzun
- Church of Saint Astvatsatsin
- Haghpat Monastery
- Haromyri Church
- Hnevank Monastery
- Holy Trinity Monastery
- Hovhannes Tumanyan House Museum
- Kayan Fortress
- Kobayr Monastery
- Lori Berd Fortress Ruins
- Mikoyan Brothers Museum
- National Gallery of Armenia
- Russian Chapel
- Saint George Church
- Sanahin Bridge
- Sanahin Monastery
- Spitak Ethnographic Museum
- Stepan Zoryan House Museum
- Tumanyan Ethnographic Museum
- Vanadzor Fine Arts Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Lori, Armenia
- Dendropark Forest
- Mount Arjasar
- Mount Spitak
- Pambak River
- Sanahin Plateau
- Tsover Lake
How to Reach Lori, Armenia?
By Air
The nearest airport to reach Lori province, Armenia is in the neighboring province of Shirak. You can get direct flights from several countries to Shirak International Airport. Armenia’s main airport, Yerevan International Airport is quite far from Lori province. You will have to travel by bus or train to reach the places to visit in Lori from either cities.
By Road
Lori province of Armenia is connected by several train stations distributed among almost every major town of the province. Owing to the natural beauty of the region, train serves as a wonderful medium for Lori sightseeing as well. The same is true for buses. The buses also connect to smaller towns and villages in the province where you can go for undiscovered adventures and other exploratory things to do in Lori.
If you are traveling by car, do know that main routes connecting Lori province, Armenia with other neighboring province are M7, M8 and H31. The province is also connected with Georgia by road through routes M3, H34 and M6. As for traveling between Lori tourist attractions, you can use M3, H34, H31, M6, and H24.
By Water
As this northern province of Armenia is surrounded by land on all sides, there are no water routes to explore the things to see in Lori.
Image Reference
- Akhtala Monastery – Lori Collins / Flickr
- Haghpat Monastery – Kris Duda / Flickr
- Kobayr Monastery – RAFFI YOUREDJIAN / Flickr
- Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum – Soghomon Matevosyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Lori Fortress – Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
- Church of Odzun – Arian Zwegers / Flickr
- Ardvi Monastery – Vopyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Stepanavan Dendropark – Valen1988 / Wikimedia Commons
- Sanahin Monastery – Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons
- Hnevank Monastery – George Mel / Wikimedia Commons
- Church of St. Nicholas – Armineaghayan / Wikimedia Commons
- Horomayri Monastery – Ashot Arzumanyan / Wikimedia Commons
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