Ashtarak

Ashtarak 

a city (until 1963, a settlement), the center of Ashtarak Raion, Armenian SSR. It is located on the Kasakh River in the Araks basin, 13 km northwest of Yerevan on the Yerevan-Leninakan highway. The city has a population of 15,000 (1969). A large winery is located near Ashtarak.

The historical monuments preserved in Ashtarak include remains of the triple-naved Tsiranavor Basilica (fifth century); the cross-domed Karmravor Church (seventh century), with a unique helm roof; the remains of the singlenaved, arched-hall type Spitakavor Church (13th century); and the Marine Church (1281), a domed hall with a high, decahedral drum. A triple-arch bridge (17th century) with a stepped parapet crosses the Kasakh River; alongside are khachkars (stone crosses), the remains of a 13th-century bridge.

REFERENCE

Iaralov, Iu. S. Ashtarak. [Moscow,] 1947.