Exploring a 19th-Century Abandoned House in Armenia

Despite its modest size, Shvanidzor holds an impressive historical legacy. Medieval kahrezes — old qanat-style water channels — still run beneath the village. Centuries-old churches such as Gyumerants and St. Stepanos (17th–19th centuries) still stand here, along with the older Berdikar Church from the 12th–13th centuries. There’s also a 16th-century aqueduct, a 17th-century stone bridge, and many historical buildings scattered around.

Inside Shvanidzor culture house

I’ve written before about the iconic Shvanidzor culture house. Today, with the little information available, I want to shed some light on another remarkable site — a 19th-century house I’ve known about for over ten years but somehow never managed to visit. In the summer of 2025, I finally did.

…and then, high on the steep hillside, I saw the building

After visiting the culture house, we continued uphill. The narrow road took us past several old buildings with typical local architecture. Then, on a steep slope, the two-story house came into view — perched above the village, with its distinctive white façade, three arches, and a balcony. Built in 1890, it was once considered one of Shvanidzor’s finest homes. Unfortunately, I still don’t have clear details about who lived there or what stories it carries. For now, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.