Sisian is a city in Southern Armenia.
Sisian is a pleasant if unremarkable town, always cooler than Yerevan. It is a good base to visit Ughtasar mountain, and the thousands of petroglyphs on top. A river runs through the town, which has an ancient church called Sisavan on top of a small rise in the center.
- St. Gregory the Illuminator church, Adontsi st. 6a (on the North side of town. The church was built by the ruler of Syunik Kohazard in 6-7-century.
- Sisian History Museum, +374 283 23331. Tu-Su 11:00 - 18:00. It's notable for its rich archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, as well as rich collection of stone monuments. 300, 400 dram. Guided tour in English or Russian 1,500-2,000 dram.
- Ughtasar Petroglyphs. Mountaintop is literally littered with petroglyphs, with up to 10 or 20 on some boulders. People, animals, dancing, hunting and designs that are 5 to 8,000 years old!
- Zorats Karer. It is Armenia's older and cruder answer to Stonehenge in England. Big rocks, some with holes carved in the tops, form a couple of overlapping ovals.
- Shaki Waterfall. A nice place for a picnic on a hot day, you'll have to pay them to turn the waterfall on full blast. No, seriously, most of the water is normally diverted to generate electricity, so you'll have to make up the difference! (it's quite affordable, actually)
- Vorotnavank Monastery. Fortified monastery. Rarely visited by foreigners, it's quiet and interesting.
- Aghudi Memorial. This centuries-old Armenian memorial is a few stories high and a bit out of the ordinary.
- Shamb Hotsprings. A bit past Vorotnavank Monastery, and not really all that hot, it's a popular place for locals to go swimming, and a picturesque spot.
- Vorotnaberd Fort Ruins, between the villages of Vaghatin and Vorotan. One of the oldest fortresses. Fortress is often referred to as Davit Bek's Castle, because his troops were also fighting against the Turkish conquerors.
- Tanahat Monastery Ruins.
Ughtasar Petroglyphs. Mountaintop is literally littered with petroglyphs, with up to 10 or 20 on some boulders. People, animals, dancing, hunting and designs that are 5 to 8,000 years old!
Zorats Karer. It is Armenia's older and cruder answer to Stonehenge in England. Big rocks, some with holes carved in the tops, form a couple of overlapping ovals.
Shaki Waterfall. A nice place for a picnic on a hot day, you'll have to pay them to turn the waterfall on full blast. No, seriously, most of the water is normally diverted to generate electricity, so you'll have to make up the difference! (it's quite affordable, actually)
Vorotnavank Monastery. Fortified monastery. Rarely visited by foreigners, it's quiet and interesting.
Aghudi Memorial. This centuries-old Armenian memorial is a few stories high and a bit out of the ordinary.
Shamb Hotsprings. A bit past Vorotnavank Monastery, and not really all that hot, it's a popular place for locals to go swimming, and a picturesque spot.
Vorotnaberd Fort Ruins, between the villages of Vaghatin and Vorotan. One of the oldest fortresses. Fortress is often referred to as Davit Bek's Castle, because his troops were also fighting against the Turkish conquerors.
Tanahat Monastery Ruins.
St. Gregory the Illuminator church, Adontsi st. 6a (on the North side of town. The church was built by the ruler of Syunik Kohazard in 6-7-century.
Sisian History Museum, +374 283 23331. Tu-Su 11:00 - 18:00. It's notable for its rich archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, as well as rich collection of stone monuments. 300, 400 dram. Guided tour in English or Russian 1,500-2,000 dram.
Bike, hike, swim, explore.
The art school has some kids arts and crafts on sale sometimes, and Ashot, the well known local painter who is heavily influenced by the petroglyphs also sells his paintings out of his studio.
The hotels are the best place to have a bite, or a barbecue joint.
- Goris — the last major town in Armenia for travelers continuing to Karabakh and also entering point to Tatev Monastery.
- Jermuk — spa town where much of the country's mineral water comes from.
- Kapan — not the most interesting town. Vahanavank Monastery is in its close proximity.
- Yeghegnadzor — small town close to spectacular canyon and monastery in Noravank, the impressive Smbatabert Fortress/Tsakhats Kar Monastery area and the old silk road caravanserai of Selim.