Mount Armaghan - An extinct volcano of Armenia

An extinct volcano of Armenia

Mount Armaghan is an extinct volcano (2829 m). It is a natural monument of Armenia, in Gegharkunik Region. But there is very little information about it. Maybe it is for the best. Maybe that is why it has kept its primary state. We went there with Armenian Geographic and Mountaineering and Hiking Federation.

We stopped off on the way to take a rest and to enjoy the beauty of Sevan Lake. Then, after the line of villages, we noticed the mountain from our windows. It was covered with rich green grass as if it were crafted with a careful hand. Here it is, the extinct volcano, Armaghan. The soil is fertile, with rich vegetation. Your head goes round from the mixed smell of herbs and flowers – poppies, buttercups, wild peas, oregano, thyme, mint… And deep blue sky with clouds above your head.

Mountain Armaghan

The first steps are difficult during the climbing. You should feel the rhythm, and breathe correctly. And then, step by step, you fall in a meditative state. You hear only your heart beating, rustling under your foot and the sounds of nature. We climb in silence, one after another. It is interruptive to talk in places like this, you may spoil the magical moment filled with sound, which is so unusual for people from towns. The mountain is quite steep, the soil is friable.

But we will be granted for our effort, as there is a beautiful small lake and a small church on the top of Armaghan. That nameless lake is like a plate on which the sky is reflected.

Sanctuary of Mount Armaghan

The sanctuary of mount Armaghan was built in 2009, on the ruins, whose age is difficult to define. But as we can conclude due to the old cemetery and the gravestones, its age goes to ancient times. There are no patterns and crosses on the gravestones, only human figures and pitchers, which are the symbols of abundance and wealth, circles with a dot in the center, which is a pre-Christian symbol of sun, maternity, fertility and abundance. There are also some other pagan symbols, but they are difficult to distinguish. There are several burials inside of the church. Even inside of the new walls, you can feel that they are already filled with many prayers. There are candles and matches at the altar. Everyone who wants can light a candle for free. People from neighboring villages come here for pilgrimage.

Crater lake of Armaghan

We met two young guys from the village Madina. 16-years-old Koryun puts abbreviations by the candles. I asked him about that abbreviation, and he explained that it was the first letters of his and his girlfriend’s name – Koryun and Hripsime. He said, “She loves me, we study in the same class”. Their love made me happy and I lit my candle.

The dinner near Armaghan Lake is delicious. The ducks fly above. They break the silence by their voices and then go down to the water. The boundless Sevan is seen from afar, and you just want to wave your arms and fly away.

Yelena Shuvayeva – Petrosyan