The refectory of the brick-built Kirants Monastery, deep in the forests of Tavush.
A dining hall in the Kirants complex
This is the refectory — the communal dining hall — of Kirants Monastery, a medieval monastic complex set in the dense forests of Tavush. In monasteries like this, the refectory was where the brotherhood gathered to eat, a quietly important room in the daily rhythm of monastic life.
A winter trip: a 1-day ski pass in Tsaghkadzor, a spa evening, an overnight at a mountain hotel. Day two — Sevan with its ice ridges and a hot dolma lunch.
Kirants is known for its distinctive brick-and-tile construction, unusual among Armenia's largely stone-built monasteries, which gives the whole complex a warm, earthy character.
Even the dining hall here is worth the walk — proof that a monastery is built from its everyday spaces as much as its churches.
A three-day journey through southern Armenia. A night in Goris, visits to Khndzoresk and the cave churches. One of the country’s most striking routes.
What to know before you go
The monastery sits at the end of a forest road, and reaching it is part of the experience. The refectory is recognised as a cultural heritage monument of Armenia.
A one-day trip north: Alaverdi in the Debed canyon, Sanahin and Haghpat — both on the UNESCO list. Lunch by the river.
- Rare brick-built medieval architecture
- Hidden deep in Tavush forest
- A rewarding spot for explorers
The forest track can be rough and weather here changes fast, so check the forecast for the nearest point before setting out — a dry day makes the approach to Kirants far easier.
From Yerevan to this place a car or transfer is the most convenient — public transport reaches most Armenian places rarely. Plan a day for the road plus at least half a day for the place itself.
Stay nearby
Where to stay if you're going for a day or more
Old Dilijan — the Shamiryan guesthouse
A 19th-century craftsmen’s wooden house, restored by local masters. Forested Armenia at the doorstep, bicycles in the garage.
An eco-lodge in Yenokavan
Wooden cabins in a meadow, 10 minutes from the Dilijan–Ijevan road. Forest trails in the morning, spa and dinner by the fireplace in the evening.
Riverside cabins in Gosh
Six separate cabins by the river, each with a fire pit. Goshavank is a 5-minute walk away, plus the forest trails of Dilijan park.