Harants Tchgnaran Cave :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Harants Tchgnaran Cave

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Shamkhor / Garnaker

Historical Introduction

Amidst the rocks towering on the right bank of the river Shamkor, east of Hreshtakapetats Monastery can be seen a cavern called Harants Jgnaran (the Armenian equivalent for ‘Fathers’ Hermitage’). In the late 19th century, this cave “...where some hermits are said to have spent their lives in total asceticism” boasted “...three magnificent cross-stones.” They, however, had been removed by the time we visited Harants Jgnaran in 1984.