Highlights
- Located about 1.5-2 kilometers southwest of the town of Artik.
- Known as St. Stephen Church of Lmbatavank.
- Dates back to the 6th-7th centuries.
- A cross-shaped, central-domed structure.
- Built of finely cut Artik tuff stone.
- Has a horseshoe-shaped apse, narrow arched windows, and an octagonal drum.
- Donation inscriptions from the 12th-13th centuries are preserved on the walls.
- Remains of early frescoes are preserved inside.
- Khachkar bases, graves, roof tiles, and carved fragments have been found in the surrounding area.
Did You Know?
- Lmbatavank has also been called St. Stephen of Sarnaghbyur. This name is connected with bringing water to the monastery and with the mention of the village of Sarnaghbyur.
- One of the frescoes of the monastery, depicting the “Last Supper,” was copied at natural size and is displayed in the National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan.
- The inscriptions of Lmbatavank show that the monastery owned lands and villages in the Middle Ages.
Nearest Restaurants & Cafés
Yerankyuni
Yerankyuni serves a variety of Armenian and regional dishes, emphasizing fresh ingredients and home-style recipes. The restaurant combines classic flavors with a relaxed dining experience suitable for families, small groups, and individual patrons. It has earned recognition locally for its good service and balanced mix of authentic taste and affordability.
Food Time
Food Time is a fast-casual restaurant in Gyumri, known for combining international and Armenian cuisines in a comfortable, family-friendly setting.Its offers a diverse menu including pizzas, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, ice creams, and sweets at moderate prices. The restaurant features influences from Japanese, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, and Armenian cuisines, catering to a broad range of tastes and dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Hayat Restaurant & Music Hall
Hayat Music Hall is a live music and event venue in Gyumri, offering a vibrant atmosphere for concerts, performances, and social gatherings. Known for its energetic vibe and quality sound, Hayat brings together local and guest artists, creating an engaging space for music lovers to enjoy live shows, entertainment, and memorable nights out.
Nearest Places
Harichavank
Harichavank (also known as Harich Monastery) is one of Armenia's oldest medieval monastic complexes, dating from the 7th to 13th centuries. Located in Harich village, Shirak Province, on a cape formed by ravines at the northern slope of Mount Aragats (about 22 km from Gyumri). The complex features two main churches (St. Gregory from the 7th century and St. Astvatsatsin from 1201), a gavit, cemetery, and other structures. Rebuilt by the Zakaryan princes (Ivane and Zakare) in the 13th century on the site of an older temple, it served as a royal summer residence, renowned school, and scriptorium. Today it is well-preserved, a peaceful tourist spot with stunning views of Aragats and the surrounding landscape.
Hogevank Church
Hogevank St. Karapet Church is located in Shirak Province, about 3 kilometers northwest of the village of Sarnaghbyur, on the left side of the road leading to Maralik. This medieval complex is also known as the Red Monastery and Dzoragyugh Monastery. According to the inscription preserved above the northern entrance, the church was built in 1205. It belongs to the domed hall type of Armenian churches. On the eastern side of the structure is the semicircular main apse, with rectangular vaulted sacristies on both sides. St. Karapet Church has two entrances: one from the west and one from the north. Niches typical of Armenian architecture are preserved on the façades. The church was built of finely cut red tuff stone, which is why the complex became known as the Red Monastery. During later renovations, black and gray tuff stones were also used. The dome of the church collapsed during the 1939 earthquake and was restored in the 1980s. Inside the church, carved and inscribed fragments of 4th-5th-century quadrilateral monuments and 13th-century khachkars have been preserved. Some of them have been weathered over time and are now difficult to read. The area of Hogevank is important not only because of the 13th-century church. About 50 meters north of St. Karapet Church, the lower rows of the walls of a 5th-century single-nave church and a 7th-century tetraconch church have also been preserved. This shows that the site had Christian religious significance as early as the Early Middle Ages.
Shirak International Airport
Gyumri Shirak International Airport is one of Armenia’s key aviation hubs, serving both domestic and international flights. As the main air gateway to the Shirak region, the airport provides safe, efficient, and convenient passenger services. It plays a significant role in supporting regional tourism, economic growth, and international connectivity.
Saint Arsenius Church
Saint Arsenius the Archbishop of Serbia Church is one of Gyumri’s historic Orthodox churches, built in the late 19th century. Dedicated to Saint Arsenius, a prominent spiritual leader of the Serbian Church, the building reflects the architectural style of its era. Constructed from red tuff stone, the church stands as an important part of Gyumri’s multicultural and religious heritage.
