Saint's Barbara Church

Tsaghkavank, known locally as Kuys Varvara (Virgin Barbara), is a shrine cut into a cave on the southern slope of Mount Ara. It's dedicated to Saint Barbara, one of the saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Inside, moss covers the rock, and a spring runs through the cave, held as sacred by visitors.

An altar stands near the water, along with ferns and vendors selling candles. Local tradition says Barbara was killed by her own father after she converted to Christianity.

People from the surrounding area come here for both Christian and older, pre-Christian holidays.

The shrine sits near Yeghvard, in Aragatsotn region close to Ashtarak, on Mount Ara — about 25 km north-northwest of Yerevan in a straight line.