Community

Akner is located on the right bank of Debed River, 10 km away from Alaverdi. This village is in a perfect natural environment, with fascinating customs and an interesting version of history. From the edge of the village, a breathtaking view of Debed Canyon opens up. A variety of natural, pure springs, which were of great importance for the locals, flow from the village’s upper reaches – the forests.

A stone church, built in the first half of the 19th century, stands in the central part of the village. There are a variety of other sights in Akner that amaze us as well. When visiting Haghpat, one of the most well-known tourist destinations, keep an eye out for Kayan Fortress, situated in the northern part of Akner settlement on the right side of the rock. It was once one of the region’s most powerful fortresses. Dsevank is located in the southern part of Kayan Fortress.The water of Dsevank passes through the village of Akner, via an underground stone pipeline.

Only 30 kilometers away from the provincial center of Lori- Vanadzor, there is a small settlement known as Dzoraget village. Dzoraget became a settlement at the turn of the century when the railway was being built. Previously, the settlement’s location served as the basis of Tumanyan station, on which the community was established in 1924. Dzoraget is located on the Vanadzor-Alaverdi road, where the Tbilisi-Gyumri interstate railway passes. 

Located at the bottom of the gorge the settlement is surrounded by rocks on both sides. The community is uniquely charming because it consists of two settlements, 2 km away from each other. The Pambak River flows through one of the settlements, while the homonymous Dzoraget River flows through the other, on which the “Dzoraget” HPP is built.

Although Dzoraget is not favorable for agriculture and cattle breeding, and it might not be considered a major ecotourism destination, the community does have various tourist attractions due to its geographical location.

Ardvi community has had its unique place on the tourist map of Lori region for a long time. This village, located 58 km from the regional center Vanadzor and 19 km from Alaverdi, is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

One of the main reasons is that several famous tourist attractions are located there.

The chief bishop and spiritual leader of Armenia’s national church, the theologian, writer Hovhan Odznetsi is buried there. Odzneci was considered to be one of the most outstanding thinkers of his time. From the 7th century, the monastery of St. Hovhannes (in historical sources known as Srbanes) was built near his grave. By the way, a famous avant-garde film by Sergei Parajanov “The Color of the Pomegranates” was shot there.