The Odzun basilica is one of the finest examples of early medieval Armenian church architecture, and it sees far fewer visitors than the more famous monasteries at Haghpat and Sanahin, just across the Debed gorge. Built around the 8th century on the foundations of a 6th-century church, it takes the form of a pink felsite basilica with three naves, the two side naves notably narrow. The façades are covered in intricate carvings depicting Christ, angels, and scenes from the New Testament.
The arcaded cloister running along the southern side is particularly graceful, and the western wall — a blind facade with a single arched entrance — gives the building an unusually austere dignity. Surrounding the basilica is a cemetery dense with khachkars and tombstones spanning from the 13th to the 20th centuries, many of the older ones beautifully carved. There is no entry fee: tradition holds that you buy and light a candle. If the church is locked, the caretaker is likely tending the grounds nearby.