Old Harzhis

Harzhis, Harjis or Harzhik… is located on a plain on the high bank of the Vorotan River, 25 km from Goris. There is also an old village, down the valley to the river, but it has been reduced to ruins. The cause of the destruction was the earthquake of April 1931, after which the village rose to the plain. Harzhis is an old settlement, mentioned since the 5th century.

The name is associated with an old legend: supposedly a boy from the neighboring village of Ltsen goes along the river bank to Halidzor to bring salt. Suddenly he notices a girl, runs after her and after 7 days catches up with her. He marries the girl, whose name was Harzhis, and settles there, from which the village of Harzhis arises.

There are many standing monuments in Harzhis: the Kurdish Temple and the Kurdish Bridge, the Church of St. Minas, the ruins of the palace of King Alan, numerous khachkars with inscriptions. Near the village of Harzhis is a caravanserai built in 1343 on the main road through Syunik. It has been preserved in a dilapidated state, belonging to the three-aisled hall caravanserai type.