Argel – Archaeology, Churches and Khachkar Art

Argel brings together archaeological and cultural heritage from very different periods. Its historic points of interest include Palaeolithic sites, settlements dating to widely separated periods, a fortress, churches and the work of khachkar master Arsen Panosyan. If you choose a destination based on its history, Argel offers the chance to explore early rock shelters, sacred buildings and Panosyan’s craftsmanship.

Fortress and settlement history

The Lusakert-Argel Fortress is dated from the 3rd millennium BC to the Middle Ages. It lies on a peninsula opposite the Gyumush hydroelectric complex. South of the citadel is a settlement that also dates from the 3rd millennium BC to the Middle Ages. Old Argel dates from the 9th to the 19th century; Argel also has an open-air Palaeolithic site.

Rock shelters and archaeological finds

A Hellenistic cemetery lies in the Hrazdan Gorge near Lusakert Cave. The Lusakert-1 rock shelter is a Palaeolithic site in southern Argel, on the right bank of the Hrazdan Gorge. Its deposits contain ash, obsidian artefacts and bones worked by humans. The rock shelter’s sediment sequence formed between 65,000 and 34,000 years ago (65–34 ka).

Another cave complex comprises three rock shelters on the right bank of the Hrazdan. It is associated with both the Palaeolithic and the Middle Ages. The cave sites therefore offer different points of reference in time: a specific period is given for the sediment sequence at Lusakert-1, while the other complex spans two eras.

Churches and khachkar art

The Church of St. Gevorg in Argel dates to 1890. Above the entrances to its southern and northern side chapels are khachkars from the 12th–13th centuries. The building and stonework thus bring together different historical periods in one place. The Tukh-Manuk Chapel, dating to the 17th–18th centuries, is also located on the southern edge of Argel.

Argel is also home to a group of distinctive round khachkars created by Arsen Panosyan and his sons. It is dedicated to the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. Khachkars can thus be seen both at the Church of St. Gevorg and in a separate ensemble of round stones.

The Panosyan Art Center

The Panosyan Art Center is housed in the former home of Arsen Panosyan, a woodcarver and khachkar master. Visitors can see more than 300 wood carvings and 150 khachkars there.

Arsen Panosyan created more than 60 works over the course of his life. He spent 23 years making a large vase with multi-layered engraving. The vase received a medal named after Movses Khorentsi. Exhibitions of Panosyan’s works ranged from India to Great Britain; he also received three major awards for taking part in international festivals.

Discover more destinations: Artavaz, Kamaris, Aramus, Karashamb, Garni, Arzni, Hankavan, Ptghni

For the broader travel overview: Kotayk.