Khndzoresk- cave village in Armenia

Apparently, while in other villages or cities of Armenia people used to walk to get to their neighbor's place, inhabitants of the cave village Khndzoresk just had to climb there. What?-you'll say now. Yes, the thing is that the inhabitants made their houses (caves) the way not to be easily accessible for enemies. So each time, to go somewhere, they had to climb there on a rope (at least they knew this was a perfect place to hide in case of attacks- they could just remove the ropes while in danger and no one could ever get to their caves).

Credits to Tomasz Dutkiewicz

It's difficult to believe but some 68 years ago people were still living here. It has been one of the biggest villages of Armenia with around 8.500 inhabitants. The last inhabitants left the village at the very beginning of 20th century. Inhabitants of the village new well how to get to the underground tunnels that used to connect all the caves of Khndzoresk. During the attacks, to be on a safe side, kids and women were taken to the caves that were on vertical cliffs almost impossible to access for people not familiar with the village. Caves are always interesting especially when they are so unusual. It's difficult to believe that entering one of those caves you are basically walking into a place that once was someone's house. This place looks so unreal, that being here, you might have a feeling that by a magic power you are dropped in another planet for some time. Here you understand that even if you do your best to live in harmony with nature in big cities it is impossible, because harmony with yourself and with nature can only be found in places like this.

There is a swinging bridge (built in 2012) that takes you from the new village right to the old cave Khndzoresk. It has 160 m length and 63 m height. Previously, because there was no bridge, people could not easily get from new Khndzoresk to the old one. Standing on the bridge you can enjoy the view to the gorge and to the old village. From there you can also see the for churches of Khndzoresk.

Credits to Tomasz Dutkiewicz

In Khndzoresk, by the cave village, there is also a natural water spring called “a spring of nine children” with a form of female breast. A husband made this and dedicated it to his wife who gave birth to many children.

Khndzoresk

Khndzoresk, Armenia