Ashtarak

“Where to find Halal food or a Halal restaurant in Ashtarak, or perform Salat in a mosque in Ashtarak?“ “Those are some of the questions Muslim travelers often ask when traveling to Ashtarak.“

Ashtarak is a small city in Central Armenia 20 kilometers northwest of Yerevan. It features the best-preserved Armenian church of the 7th century, Karmravor.

Introduction

Saint Sargis1 - Surb Sarkis Church

Ashtarak is located at the intersection of roads leading to Gyumri and Yerevan. Due to such a convenient location the settlement appeared here long time ago, however it didn't play any significant role until the second half of the twentieth century, when Ashtarak acquired the status of a city and started to host Institute of physics of Armenian Academy of Sciences. The name of the city means "a tower" in Armenian.

Ashtarak does not look like the regional center nowadays: it's a sleepy town, where it's easier to meet a Chicken rather than a car. A trip here - is a good opportunity to escape a rush of Yerevan for a few hours.

Travel to Ashtarak

There are shuttle vanes #502, #503 departing from Yerevan's bus station and the price is 250 Armenia#Money|dram (2023). Ask the driver to stop at Ashtaraki Hraparak (the main square), otherwise you'll be dropped out at the not so centrally located bus station. Buses to Vanadzor don't go through the city, bypassing it to the north.

• Bus station 40.2912 |long =44.3648 - Stop in front of the now abandoned Soviet-era bus station.

Taxi drivers will be happy to drive you from Yerevan to Ashtarak or anywhere else. Approximate price range from the center of Yerevan — 2200-2500 dram. The road from Yerevan to Ashtarak — M1 motorway (4-lane road in a good condition). There is another quite OK road from Echmiadzin (17 kilometers), which is convenient if you want to visit Echmiadzin and Ashtarak on the same day from Yerevan.

What to See

GPS 40.297665|44.361597 height=400|width=470

• Karmravor Church Surb Astvatsatsin | Karmravor Surb Astvatsatsin.JPG 30 Abovyan str. 40.2998,44.3655 From the river, take the Karmravor road across the Ashtarak Bridge and follow the road up the hill until it reaches the walled church to the right. A large cemetery is further east - The church was built in the mid-7th century and has been preserved without significant alterations. It features a single reddish clay tile domed roof (hence the name Tsiranavor, which means "reddish"). There are ancient khachkars around the church and a stone gates with preserved engravings. It is a small church but quite interesting.

• Surb Sarkis Church | Սուրբ Սարգիս.JPG St. Sargis str. 40.2981,44.3692 The church is located at a promontory overlooking the Kasagh River Gorge - S. Sarkis was built in the 19th century supposedly upon older foundations. It looks to be a new church because of extensive restoration work done recently, but a small number of the older original stones carved with decorative relief and inscriptions (replaced with new stone and now sitting next to the foundation of the building) show its age to be much older. It offers a fine view to the three churches of Tsiranavor, Spitakavor and Karmravor.

• Surb Mariné Church | Ashtarak S. Mariane - Smbat Shahaziz str. - GPS: 40.3011,44.3609 Located more central to the town - S. Mariane was built in the year 1271 or according to some sources 1281. It has a beautiful umbrella dome that rests above.

• Ashtarak Bridge - Ashtarak Bridge 1664.JPG 40.29845,44.36833 directly below the church of S. Sarkis, at the point where the Karmravor road crosses the Kasagh River - The reddish stone arch bridge was built in 1664 as part of the old road to Yerevan. It features two equal sized smaller pointed arches on either side of a larger central pointed arch.

• Kasagh River Gorge Monuments
• Spitakavor Church | Tsiranavor Church of Ashtarak.jpg

GPS 40.29768,44.36664 Located along the Kasagh River, at the top of the gorge - Spitakavor meaning "whitish" is a triple-aisled basilica built in the 5th-6th centuries (most likely between 540-557). The front façade is whitewashed and has a lengthy inscription. Walls remain but the roof has since collapsed. Note: Some confusion about the name of the churches of Spitakavor and Tsiranavor has seemed to have occurred due to the misplacement of the Russian markers located inside the two structures. The ruins aren't impressive: if you aren't an expert, you can skip it.

• Tsiranavor Church | Spitakavor church, Ashtarak.jpg

GPS 40.29822,44.36612 Located down the street south two houses and to the left where it dead-ends - Tsiranavor meaning "[ Apricotsish" is a small church built between the 13th to 14th centuries. Its roof has since collapsed, but walls remain. It also doesn't look very appealing and can be skipped.

• Central square 40.297645, 44.361586 - The center life in this quiet town. There is a monument to Catholicos Nerses of Ashtarak, a taxi rank and a pair of nice pre-revolutionary buildings.

Muslim Travel Tips

• House museum of Perch Proshyan 10 Proshyan str. 40.299028, 44.365223 - Perch Proshyan — the writer of the second half of the 19th century - was born here. There is a funny milepost at the entrance showing distances to the Hermitage and the Louvre and other world-famous museums.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Ashtarak

Armenia Karmravor - Karmravor Church

• "Pascal & Diodato" 12 Abovyan str. 40.2992,44.3654 right at the entrance to the complex Karmravor - One of the few options in Ashtarak to eat. The choice of dishes according to Armenian standards are rather big, espresso, desserts. Good reviews, WiFi.

• "Pirozhok" - "Пирожок" | Aram Manukyan str. 40.2899,44.3631 - Simple eatery near the bus station.

• Ashtaraki Dzor Restaurant Complex 40.301903,44.378596 - Well worth a stop for a reasonably priced meal and nighttime entertainment show, all outdoors and long popular with Armeniansm, though perhaps in decline.

• Old Ashtarak - Hin Ashtarak | 31 Ghapantsyan St. 40.295346,44.358732 ☎ +374 94 992232 $ - Nicely restored old Ashtarak house with garden, offering good Arabic cuisine at reasonable prices.

• OME anti-cafe - ՕՄԷ - 25 Ghapantsyan St. 40.295206,44.357056 ☎ +374 41 228225 Opening Hours: 11am-11pm $ - Beautiful old traditional style house with garden hosting an anti-cafe. You pay by the hour and get free drinks and Snacks. Games available. Non-smoking.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ashtarak

Ashtarak - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ashtarak, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ashtarak. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ashtarak and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ashtarak. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ashtarak. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Ashtarak: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ashtarak.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ashtarak: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ashtarak, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ashtarak.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ashtarak, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ashtarak, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ashtarak and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ashtarak, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ashtarak, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ashtarak without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ashtarak is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ashtarak.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Ashtarak is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Ashtarak, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Ashtarak Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Ashtarak

Ramadan 2025 in Ashtarak

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There is only one very average hotel in Ashtarak, but Yerevan with plenty of sleeping options is half an hour's drive away.

• Hotel "Ashtarak" 16 Sisakyan str. 40.297922,44.361441 ☎ +374 (232) 34 393 - A big Soviet hotel with a very little renovation. Deluxe rooms look better, but they're significantly more expensive.

Telecommunications in Ashtarak

Aragats from Ashtarak - View of Mt. Aragats from Ashtarak

Where to travel next from Ashtarak

• A little down the river is Oshakan Village, where the creator of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrob Mashtots, is buried in the village church.
• Just north along the river (and highway) is Mughni, with an interesting church where alternating colors of stone form black and red bands around the cupola.
• Further north is Ohanavan village with Hovhannavank Monastery. This restored monastery is perched atop the cliffs and has a great view of Mt. Ara.
• Saghmosavank Monastery, just east of Artashavan village shares the same great views of the gorge and Mt. Ara. You can hike from one to the other in the gorge. Great architecture, carvings, details.
• Much further north is the town of Aparan, whose inhabitants are the butt of jokes which pin them as not the brightest folk. The very ancient, black Kasagh basilica church, just a few meters from the main highway is worth dropping into on your way to Lori Marz.

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