Վայոցսար

Mountain Vayotssar, the height of which is 2581 meters, is located in the province of Vayots Dzor, north-west from the village Herher. This is a cone that rises throughout the length of the ridge. The depth of the crater is about 125 meters.

Volcano Vayotssar

The last eruption of the mountain Vayotssar

According to some historical data, the last eruption of the mountain Vayotssar was in 735 AD and was accompanied by a destructive and devastating earthquake.

Dense darkness fell upon the land throughout the next forty days. The earthquake shook the earth like the waves of the sea. Mountains were flooded, sources were deluged and the houses turned into the graveyards of those who used to live there before this disastrous occasion. From chasm and air voices murmured “Vay dzor, vay dzor”.

Historian Orbelyan claimed that this particular story stands behind the origins of the current name of this province.

However, it is worth noting, that the historical records of Yeghishe and Movses Khorenatsi, written decades before the eruption, disprove the aforementioned claim.

Nonetheless, after studying the geology of Armenia, researchers vocalize that there have been no volcano eruptions in our country for a couple of millennia.

Mountain Vayotssar

Vayotssar is NOT an Active Volcano

There are two active volcanoes in Armenian Highland- Nemrut and Tondrak. Actually, a volcano is defined as being active, if it has erupted since the last ice-age. So, taking into account the above-mentioned story regarding the last eruption of mountain Vayotssar, it can be deduced that Vayotssar is an active volcano as well. However, science contradicts history. Maybe, Vayotssar is the youngest volcano in the territory of Armenia, but the geological data collected throughout the research, evinced that the last eruption of this volcano took place more then 40,000 years ago.

Other Names of Mountain Vayotssar

In Jalalyan’s book, mountain Vayotssar is also referred to as “Gagatacack”. Moreover, after the invasion of the region by tatar-mongol tribes, the mountain, like many other geographic objects, had been renamed to Dalik tapa (gizh sar). Locals still believe that lifting up a stone on the top of the mountain will cause rain.

The Village Herher

The village Herher is noted for its mesmerizing natural and historical monuments. Here is the Monastery Complex of St. Sion, Kapuyt (Blue) fortress, and also some beautiful waterfalls on the Karavaz and Herher rivers.

St. Sion monastery

The origin of the name of this village is associated with an 8th century earthquake. Initially, the name of the village was Yerer (quiver). Additionally, there is a very interesting phenomenon, a crack passes through the village, from which cold air blows. Some of the locals have built cellars on this crack and use it as a natural refrigerator.

You can also check our one-day hike to Mount Vayotssar here: Climbing mountain Vayotssar