Tsiranavor Church, Ashtarak

Tsiranavor, whose name means "apricot-colored," is the oldest church in Ashtarak, a basilica generally dated to the 5th–7th centuries and possibly built on the site of an earlier pagan temple. Though now largely in ruins, its surviving walls reveal the considerable scale of the original building and the elegance of early Armenian basilica design. Perched on the edge of the Kasagh River gorge, it offers fine views over the canyon, the old bridge and the surrounding town. Together with the nearby Karmravor church, Tsiranavor anchors Ashtarak's cluster of ancient sanctuaries and rewards a short, scenic walk.