COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
making old khndzoresk more accessible for visitors and tourists
- Tufenkian Foundation
- 3 min read
- August 2026
Syunik Province, Republic of Armenia — The “Echoes of the Land” project, implemented in the territory of the Old Khndzoresk Historical and Cultural Reserve, is complete.
The project was launched in 2025 by Save Armenian Monuments, with financial support from the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation and the Tufenkian Foundation. The project aims to preserve and promote the historical and cultural heritage of Old Khndzoresk by optimizing the site, enhancing accessibility, and creating safe and comfortable conditions for visitors and tourists.
“This project marks an important step in preserving, revitalizing, and promoting one of Syunik’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks. We are confident that the completed works will contribute not only to the preservation of cultural heritage but also to the sustainable development of tourism in the community,” said Gayane Budaghyan, Coordinator, the “Echoes of the Land” project.
A wide range of improvements have been completed, including:
- Clean-up of historical monuments and the surrounding areas
- Installation of benches and waste bins
- Construction of stone and wooden stairways along difficult sections connecting Old and New Khndzoresk
- Marking and upgrading of hiking trails, with a total length of 5.4 km
- Installation of directional and informational signage in Armenian, English, and Russian
- Additional infrastructure improvements designed to enhance the visitor experience
“At the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, we believe that preserving Armenia’s cultural heritage goes hand in hand with making it accessible. Supporting initiatives that improve cultural and hiking infrastructure aligns with our long-term commitment to regional development, sustainable tourism, and creating more opportunities for people to experience Armenia’s rich history in the regions firsthand. We were happy to support the ‘Echoes of the Land’ project, which not only protects an important heritage site but also strengthens Syunik’s role as a strategic destination for cultural and nature-based tourism,” said Korioun Khatchadourian, H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Executive Director.
The trail improvement works were carried out in cooperation with the Trails for Change NGO.
“Armenia’s tourism map has gained another well-maintained and safe hiking trail, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the rich historical and cultural heritage of Old Khndzoresk. We believe this initiative will contribute both to increasing visitor numbers and to stimulating economic activity in the Syunik region,” said Husik Sargsyan, Director of Operations, the Tufenkian Foundation.
Upon completion of the project, the upgraded infrastructure and improved areas were transferred to the Protection Service of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia, which will be responsible for their future management and maintenance.
