Visiting off the beaten path villages in Tavush, Armenia

Within the framework of the Mets Gyughakarg (Great Rural Order) project, launched by Sevak Arevshatyan and Sofia Hakobyan, a group of us visited the Berkaber, Barekamavan and Baghanis villages in the Tavush province of Armenia in early March 2024.

We set off at the crack of dawn from Yerevan for the day trip. In an endeavor to get off the beaten path and get back to nature, we passed through long winding roads to reach our destination, seeking something out of the ordinary. Notwithstanding the cloudy weather, we were able to unwind and enjoy the picturesque sights due to the inhabitants’ exceptional hospitality and kindness.

Berkaber is a village in the Ijevan municipality of Tavush, situated in close vicinity to the Armenia-Azerbaijan line of contact. Located 17 km away from the city of Ijevan and 700 m above sea level, it lies on the southern bank of the Berkaber reservoir and in the valley of the Voskepar river. The latter is the left side tributary of the Aghstev river.

Berkaber village has been populated since 4000-3000 BC. The village boasts a mausoleum field (4000-2000 BC), a rural settlement (3-19 AD), a cemetery (13-19 AD), khachkars (9-12 AD) and a memorial erected in memory of the victims of World War II.