The jewel of Ashtarak: a tiny 7th-century church whose tiled dome and perfectly proportioned silhouette have made it one of the most iconic images of medieval Armenian architecture. Karmravor is small enough that the entire building can be photographed from a few feet away, yet every element is precise and considered. The dome's reddish tiles — Byzantine imports that have survived 1,400 years — give the church its name.
The interior is plain but atmospheric, with the dim light and the smell of incense making the small space feel contemplative rather than empty. The church is still in use. It stands in the middle of the old part of town, easy to find, with a well-tended churchyard around it. Visit early or late to avoid the tour groups that come through on day trips from Yerevan.