The Cathedral of Talin (also called Surb Astvatsatsin) is a large domed church built in the 600s, in the town of Talin, in Armenia's Aragatsotn region. In its day it was one of the boldest buildings in early medieval Armenia.
It was built by the Kamsarakan family, the princes who ruled this area at the time. The design mixes a three-apse plan with a once-tall central dome — ambitious engineering for the 7th century.
Today the cathedral is partly in ruins: the dome and much of one wall have fallen. Even so, its size still impresses, and inside you can still see rare frescoes of the apostles — some of the few early wall paintings left in Armenia. A smaller 7th-century church, also called Surb Astvatsatsin, stands right next to it. The site sits near the slopes of Mount Aragats, on the road toward Gyumri, and it is a quiet, uncrowded stop for anyone who loves old architecture.
Want to explore more of this area? Discover our tours of the Aragatsotn region.
