Byurakan
Place in Aragatsotn, Armenia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Byurakan (Armenian: Բյուրական) is a village in the Ashtarak Municipality of 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 | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Byurakan Location within Armenia  Byurakan Location within Aragatsotn | |
| Coordinates: 40°20′24″N 44°16′13″E | |
| Country | Armenia |
| Province | Aragatsotn |
| Municipality | Ashtarak |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Zarzand Babayan |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.27 km2 (8.21 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,460 m (4,790 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 4,345[1] |
| Time zone | UTC+4 |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+5 |
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 a 1m Schmidt 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.
