BYRAKAN VILLAGE
Byurakan (Armenian: Բյուրական), is a major village in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, located on the slope of Mount Aragats. The village is home to several historical sites including the 7th-century Artavazik Church, the 10th-century basilica of Saint Hovhannes and a huge 13th-century khachkar monument.
It is also home to the Byurakan Observatory.
Byurakan observatory is founded in 1946 by Viktor Hambardzumyan, Armenian scientist. There are several telescopes. The diameter of the biggest telescope is 2.6m (the biggest telescope in Caucasus). There is also 1m Shmidt telescope.
Surp Hovhannes Church (Armenian: Սուրբ Հովհաննես եկեղեցի; translates to the "Church of Saint John") is an important 10th century basilica located in the village of Byurakan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia.
Not very far away from S. Hovhannes in the same village, are the ruins of the Artavazik Church of the 7th century with a huge 13th-century khachkar monument directly across the ravine from the structure. Artavazik Church (Armenian: Արտավազիկ եկեղեցի) of the 7th century is located in a stone field one kilometer northeast just a little outside the village of Byurakan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. The name of the church goes back to the Armenian king at the time, presumed to be the founder. The church collapsed due to a lightning strike.
