Karo Sahakyan / PAN Photo Agency

Gnishik gorge is located in Vayots Dzor province, on the road towards Noravank, that’s why it’s also called Noravank gorge. In the Middle Ages, there were gardens in the area, used by Noravank congregation. Gnishik river once streamed through the gorge, which, in turn, got its name from a village. Nowadays, a small stream that remained after the river was channeled to the village of Rind in 1990s gets completely dry in summer. Gnishik khachkars (cross-stones), resembling crude rocks, can be found near the village. Despite the poor technical performance, the regular cross wings bulges, rosettes on cross wings intersections, small crosses placed outside the central cross are quite typical details of early khachkars, presumably dating back to 9th-10th centuries.