Daily tour: Yerevan-Sanahin bridge-Haghpat monastery-Akhtala fortress-Yerevan

Sanahin Bridge is located in Alaverdi city of Lori province, above the Debed River. It is one of the most significant architectural constructions of medieval Armenia. In 12th century it was built under the auspices of Vaneni, sister of Zakare and Ivane Zakaryan, in honor of her husband king Abas Kyurikyan, who passed early.
Sanahin Monastery is an Armenian monastery founded in the 10th century in the Lori Province of Armenia. The name Sanahin literally translates from Armenian as "this one is older than that one", presumably representing a claim to having an older monastery than the neighbouring Haghpat Monastery.

One of the most ancient sights of Lori, Haghpat Monastery was built in the 10th through 13th centuries. Haghpat Monastery was once one of the largest centres of science, with a rich collection of manuscripts. It had premises for copying library manuscripts, plus cafeterias and universities. Of all the structures only the main church of St. Nishan (967-991) with sculptural images on the outside and frescos (13th-14th centuries) inside, St. Gregory Church (1005), the small dome church of St. Astvatsatsin (12th-13th centuries), the 13th-century cafeteria, the 13th-century book depository, the belfry (1245), and khachkars have survived.

Long ago, in 10th-11th centuries Lori region of Armenia was an independent kingdom. That time the magnificent Akhtala fortress was built. It’s one of the most notable architectural monuments of Armenia and is worth seeing by all means. The fortress has always been unapproachable by the enemies thanks to the rocks surrounding it and serving as a natural barrier.
Inside Akhtala fortress you will find a monastery which consists of 3 churches. Akhtala monastery represents Armenian Renaissance. It’s presently inactive. The main church is St. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother), which was built in the 13th.