Awan is home to the Karmir Sar (Tirinkatar) Vishapakar Complex, a newly documented archaeological complex dating from the 4th to the 2nd millennium BC. It comprises twelve dragon stones, eight of them in the shape of bulls and four in the shape of fish.
Culture and History
The Vishapakar Complex of Awan is located on the southern heights of Mount Aragats within the ancient Karmir Sar (Tirinkatar) archaeological site. Awan is also home to the 17th- to 19th-century parish church of the Holy Mother of God and the ruins of the 5th- to 6th-century Church of Saint Hovhannes. Both are listed as monuments in the Awan community. The sites of the two listed churches were improved as part of a monument preservation measure.
Landscape
Within the municipal boundaries of Awan, there are stone-door caves on the southern slopes of Mount Aragats. The stone-door caves associated with Awan date from the Early and Late Middle Ages, were created in pre-existing caves, and served as hidden storage rooms for food. They are also described as monuments of great archaeological and historical significance. Awan is designated as a paragliding launch site.
Hiking and Tours
An easy hiking route to Awan includes a visit to the local early Christian church and is designed as a 5-km circular route. Hikers are advised to bring hiking shoes and hiking clothing for the route.
The Awan tour includes transport in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus. It offers an Armenian-speaking guide service; English summaries may be available. A tour route that includes Awan is part of Hamshen Tour's “Armenian Fortresses and Castles” project.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Awan can also visit the pages for Ashtarak, Oshakan, Yernjatap, Byurakan and Jrambar for further destination selection.
