Byurakan

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.

Byurakan Բյուրական
View of Byurakan as seen from the village of Tegher
Byurakan
Coordinates: 40°20′24″N 44°16′13″E
Country	Armenia
Marz (Province)	Aragatsotn
Government
• Mayor	Zarzand Babayan
Area
• Total	21.27 km^2 (8.21 sq mi)
Elevation	1,460 m (4,790 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	4,345
Time zone	UTC+4 ( )

It is also home to the Byurakan Observatory.

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.

Gallery

• 
  Road map of Byurakan and surrounding region.
• 
  Basilica of S. Hovhannes of the 10th century
• 
  Artavazik Church of the 7th century with huge khachkar monument behind.
• 
  Huge khachkar monument behind Artavazik Church of the 13th century
• 
  Pillar style khachkar with a Maltese Cross located behind a house in the village.

Nearby sites

Towns

• Ashtarak
• Oshakan

Villages

• Tegher
• Agarak
• Aghtsk
• Parpi

Historical sites

• Amberd fortress

See also

• Aragatsotn Province

References

• Byurakan at GEOnet Names Server
• World Gazetteer: Armenia – World-Gazetteer.com
• Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census
• Kiesling, Rediscovering Armenia, p. 15, available online at the US embassy to Armenia's website