Ashnak Village – One of The Best Places to Visit in Armenia
In the foothills of majestic Mount Aragats, in Aragatsotn province, you’ll find one of the best places to visit in Armenia. Ashnak is a village that is part of a larger community in Talin. Travel enthusiasts, hikers, and those who take frequent trips to Armenia will be inspired and excited by its rare surroundings. The latter include the towering Mount Aragats and Arteni, Kevork Chavush House-Museum, Dashtadem Fortress, and other attractions. Ani, one of the founders of Noosh, grew up in Ashnak, a place that now holds the most precious memories of her youth.
From Yerevan, it used to take about 67 kilometers to Noosh( ~ 80 – 90 minutes). Today, after the construction of the North-South Road Corridor that passes through the village, it takes half the time (about 45 minutes.) Thus, consider this your sign to visit Ashnak when planning your trips to Armenia.
Historical Facts About Armenia And Ashnak
One of the facts about Armenia is that according to the renowned Armenian historian Elishe, the Ashnak village was mentioned in historical documents from the 5th century AD. It was a large settlement with a royal winter residence and military unit back then.
Its history, however, stretches even further, all the way back to the Stone Age. Evidence of this can be found in the large excavations that have unearthed labor weapons, some of which are a staggering 15-17 thousand years old.
Ashnak is known as a settlement populated by refugees from Sassoun—Western Armenia—after the Armenian genocide. Therefore, it’s known for one of the most important components of Armenian cultural heritage – the Yarkhushta dance.
This is also one reason Ashnak is one of the best places to visit in Armenia—here, you can learn how to dance Yarkhushta from people who have been doing it for centuries.
Yarkhushta belongs to a wider category of Armenian “clap dances” and has traditionally been danced by Armenian soldiers before combat engagements as a small ritual in order to cast off fear and boost battle spirit.
People in Ashnak have been carrying Sassoun’s spirit with them for generations by singing its historical songs, preserving its cultural artifacts, and cultivating the fertile lands. In fact, Ashnak’s geolocation is perfect for growing almond trees, hence the name “Noosh,” which means ‘an almond’ in Armenian.
