UNDER CONSTRUCTION

   North  from  Shamiram  is  the  small hamlet of Dprevank, just left from the main Highway.

   Next  village  is  Aruch  (until   1970 Talish), once the seat of Grigor Mamikonian (661-682), a prince who enjoyed considerable autonomy under the Arab invaders. To reach the village, turn W from the main road to Gyumri where you see on the left the heavily     restored   remains   of  one wing of a 10-13^th c.   caravansaray.   A

paved road leads to the village, with the impressive domed Cathedral church of Snt. Gregory, built in 666. Beside it are the excavated remains of the Mamikonian palace, as well as basilica from 4-5^th centuries and other early constructions. Nearby are ruined walls from a 4-16^th c. fortress, among the well-built 19^th c. stone houses. All around the village are Bronze Age tombs, some with menhirs (huge stone pillars usually standing in the middle of such burials), hellenistic period sarkofags, medieval graveyards, Early Christian stelas, as well as traces of medieval wineries and settlements, constructions, khachkars, circular tower,  caves and many other antiquities. There is a 19^th century church in the middle of the village, with early khachkars built into it's walls.