Tavush
Encyclopedia
Tavush is a province (marz
) of Armenia
. The marz of Tavush is located in the north of Armenia and borders on Georgia and Azerbaijan.
It is well known for its mountains. The most part of its territory is situated 800-1,000 m above sea level. The territory relief consists of rocky hillsides covered with the bright green carpet of Alpine meadow
s; Tavush is sometimes referred to as a little Armenian Switzerland.
Tavush is also famous for the abundance of rivers and other water resources. The largest river of the marz is the Agstev with the inflows – the Getik, the Voskepar, and the Sarnadzhur. The Akhum, the Tavush and the Khndzorot originate in the Miapor Mountains and flow across the beautiful valleys. In Tavush there are a number of mountain springs, mineral water springs and small lakes; the most known of them is Lake Parz of extraordinary beauty. The pure watered lake rounded with thick woods is situated near the city of Dilizhan.
And, finally, the woods – another treasure of Tavush. In fact a half of its territory is covered by fine virgin woods which grow high on mountains slopes inhabited by various representatives of fauna. Tavush woods are especially attractive in autumn when trees are dressed in multi-colored attires.
In a word, Tavush is a great recreation area with picturesque river valleys, deep gorges, crystal curative springs and lakes reflecting the azure sky and surrounding woods. Dilizhan alone is similar to an Alpine resort known far beyond the borders of Armenia.
Tavush received its name after the historical area of Armenia – Tavush gavar – a part of Great Armenia – which included the most part of modern Tavush. The surviving medieval settlements, fortresse and monasteries confirm the ancient history of Tavush and prove that the territory was extensively populated in the early Middle Ages.
The main places of interest of Tavush marz are monastic complexes Goshavank (12 th – 13 th centuries), Agartsin (11 th – 13 th centuries), Makaravank (11 th – 13 th centuries), Voskepar (6 th – 7 th cntuies), Mshavank (12 th centuries), Nor Varagavank (12 th – 13 th centuries), Khoranagat (13 th century) and others were constructed either amidst thick woods or at such heights that at times they are obscured by the clouds descending from the mountains.
Mountainous and forested, Tavush is home to many historic Armenian monasteries, churches, castles, forts, and khachkars. The noteworthy Goshavank
, Makaravank
, and the Haghartsin
monasteries are all located in this region. Haghartsin was built between the 10th and 14th centuries while Goshavank was founded by Mkhitar Gosh
, an Armenian scholar and priest who wrote the civil and canon law.
The region borders the following provinces:
, the administrative subdivisions of Armenia before 1995.
Administrative divisions of Armenia
Armenia is subdivided into eleven administrative divisions. Of these, ten are provinces, known as marzer or in the singular form marz in Armenian....
) of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
. The marz of Tavush is located in the north of Armenia and borders on Georgia and Azerbaijan.
It is well known for its mountains. The most part of its territory is situated 800-1,000 m above sea level. The territory relief consists of rocky hillsides covered with the bright green carpet of Alpine meadow
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
s; Tavush is sometimes referred to as a little Armenian Switzerland.
Tavush is also famous for the abundance of rivers and other water resources. The largest river of the marz is the Agstev with the inflows – the Getik, the Voskepar, and the Sarnadzhur. The Akhum, the Tavush and the Khndzorot originate in the Miapor Mountains and flow across the beautiful valleys. In Tavush there are a number of mountain springs, mineral water springs and small lakes; the most known of them is Lake Parz of extraordinary beauty. The pure watered lake rounded with thick woods is situated near the city of Dilizhan.
And, finally, the woods – another treasure of Tavush. In fact a half of its territory is covered by fine virgin woods which grow high on mountains slopes inhabited by various representatives of fauna. Tavush woods are especially attractive in autumn when trees are dressed in multi-colored attires.
In a word, Tavush is a great recreation area with picturesque river valleys, deep gorges, crystal curative springs and lakes reflecting the azure sky and surrounding woods. Dilizhan alone is similar to an Alpine resort known far beyond the borders of Armenia.
Tavush received its name after the historical area of Armenia – Tavush gavar – a part of Great Armenia – which included the most part of modern Tavush. The surviving medieval settlements, fortresse and monasteries confirm the ancient history of Tavush and prove that the territory was extensively populated in the early Middle Ages.
The main places of interest of Tavush marz are monastic complexes Goshavank (12 th – 13 th centuries), Agartsin (11 th – 13 th centuries), Makaravank (11 th – 13 th centuries), Voskepar (6 th – 7 th cntuies), Mshavank (12 th centuries), Nor Varagavank (12 th – 13 th centuries), Khoranagat (13 th century) and others were constructed either amidst thick woods or at such heights that at times they are obscured by the clouds descending from the mountains.
Mountainous and forested, Tavush is home to many historic Armenian monasteries, churches, castles, forts, and khachkars. The noteworthy Goshavank
Goshavank
Goshavank is a 12-13th century Armenian monastery located in the village of Gosh in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Today the monastery is not a functioning religious complex, although it remains a popular tourist destination and has recently undergone some light restoration...
, Makaravank
Makaravank Monastery
Makaravank is a 10th to 13th century church complex in Achajur Village of Tavush Marz, Armenia, on the slope of Paitatap Mountain.Though the monastery is no longer used for services, the complex is well preserved. There are 4 churches, a gavit that serves the two largest of the churches, and...
, and the Haghartsin
Haghartsin Monastery
Haghartsin is a 13th century monastery located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It was built between the 10th and 14th century ; much of it under the patronage of the Bagratuni Dynasty....
monasteries are all located in this region. Haghartsin was built between the 10th and 14th centuries while Goshavank was founded by Mkhitar Gosh
Mkhitar Gosh
Mkhitar Gosh was an Armenian scholar, writer, public figure, thinker, and priest. He was born in the city of Gandzak. He got his early education from public institutions. When he reached his adolescence he decided to dedicate his life to church...
, an Armenian scholar and priest who wrote the civil and canon law.
The region borders the following provinces:
- Gegharkunik - south
- Kotayk - southwest
- Lori - west
Communities
The province of Tavush consists of the following 63 communities (hamaynkner), of which 4 (bold in the table) are considered urban and 58 are considered rural. The division below is by raionRaion
A raion is a type of administrative unit of several post-Soviet countries. The term, which is from French rayon 'honeycomb, department,' describes both a type of a subnational entity and a division of a city, and is commonly translated in English as "district"...
, the administrative subdivisions of Armenia before 1995.
| Ijevan | Dilijan | Noyemberyan | Tavush (Berd) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Aghavnavank Aghavnavank is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.Aghavnavank Monastery is located on the outskirts of the village.... Dilijan Dilijan is a spa town in Armenia, located in the northern Armenian province of Tavush. It is one of the most important resorts of Armenia, situated in Dilijan National Park. The forested and reclusive city is home to numerous Armenian artists, composers, and filmmakers and features some... Gosh, Armenia Gosh is a village located in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It is named after Mkhitar Gosh who took part in the re-building of the older monastery of Nor Ghetik during the 12th-13th centuries, which had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1188. The newly built monastery was later named Goshavank... Haghartsin, Armenia Haghartsin is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Haghartsin monastery is located near the town. In 1940, the town was renamed for the Soviet politician Valerian Kuybyshev.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Khachardzan Khachardzan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The town's prior name reflects the presence of Ayrums.... Teghut Teghut is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
Archis, Armenia Archis is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Ayrum Ayrum is a town in the Tavush province of Armenia. The name reflects the presence of Ayrums in the area previously.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Bagratashen Bagratashen is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia, on the border of the Republic of Georgia. The town was renamed in honor of Bagrat Vardanian , Hero of Socialist Labor.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Barekamavan Barekamavan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Deghdzavan Deghdzavan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Established in 1973, Deghdzavan was initially incorporated within the Archis region of Noyemberian.... Haghtanak, Tavush Haghtanak is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Jujevan Jujevan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The town has 407 people and was founded in 1874, and is the site of the Jujevank Monastery dating from the 19th century.... Koghb, Armenia Koghb is a town located in the Tavush Province of Armenia. Mshkavank also known as Mshakavank,with a restored church of Astvatsatsin, gavit, a 5-6th c. Tsghakhach church, 6th c. Tvarageghtsi church and cemetery of the 12-13th c. are somewhere on the mountain 3-4 km southwest of the town... Koti, Armenia Koti is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. In 1964, the town was renamed in honor of Shavarsh Amirkhanian , head of the precursor of the Armenian KGB.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Noyemberyan Noyemberyan is a city in northeast of Armenia in the Tavush province. It is located on the river Koghb, 187 km from Yerevan and in 22 km from railway station Ayrum, on the Yerevan-Tbilisi route... Voskepar Voskepar is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Voskevan Voskevan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
Artsvaberd Artsvaberd is a town in the Tavush province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com`... Aygedzor Aygedzor is a town in the Tavush province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Aygepar Aygepar is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Berd Berd is a city in Armenia in the province of Tavush, and considered the regional center for the Shamshadin area. It is located to the left of the Tavush rivers, 211 km from Yerevan, and is surrounded by low mountains.... Chinari, Armenia Chinari is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Chinchin Chinchin is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Choratan Choratan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Itsakar Itsakar is a village located in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Mosesgegh Movses is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Navur Navur is a village located in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Norashen, Tavush Norashen is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. The town has a museum and a cyclopean fort.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com*Kiesling, Rediscoving Armenia, p. 113, available online at the... Tovuz, Armenia Tovuz is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.- References :* – World-Gazetteer.com... Tsaghkavan, Tavush Tsaghkavan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Varagavan Varagavan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... Shamakhyan Shamakhyan is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia.... |