Old Khot

Khot is one of the oldest settlements in Syunik region. The village of Old Khot was located on a very steep mountainside on the left bank of the Vorotan River, surrounded by gardens and inaccessible rocks. In 1205, Prince Ghlen, son of Khazbak, donated the village of Khot and the large garden of Khotaget to the Tatev Monastery, from which it was later taken away and in 1247 it was returned to the monastery again. In the old village there is a church called Mrgadzor Khach, and a little further away is the Khot Monastery (5-6 centuries). There are tomb fields dating back to 2-1 thousand BC in the vicinity of the village, in one of which the ruins of the Red Church (12th century) are preserved. According to tradition, the bells of that church were famous for their powerful sound, and the name Zangezur is associated with this. According to another legend, one of the churches, probably called Mrgadzor Khach, was built by a woman who escaped from Shah Abbas’ harem.