Observations and Conclusions:
Gndevank Monasetry Complex is an excellent candidate to be included in the list of CFF's project. The ancient monastery complex is a thousand years old. Although it has been reconstructed on-and-off in the 1970's and 1980's, some of the renovation work has been left unfinished- the roofs and cupolas mainly. But given its age and poorly maintained condition the Monastery is in a good condition. It is situated near the road leading to the city of Jermuk, at the edge of the village of Gndevaz. It is a perfect place to stop by on the way to Jermuk- one of the most tourist attracted cities of Armenia, and the most famous spa resort since soviet times.

Renovating and revitalizing the site, given its location (in the city of Ashtarak) and its present poorly maintained condition would have a direct and immediate impact on the moral of the local population.

The renovation and its subsequent operations as an active international as well as local tourist attraction site will have a direct and immediate impact on the life of the local population, as well as create several potential jobs, employment and business opportunities. 

Hopefully the jobs created for local tour guides, maintenance, security, landscaping and concession stands will  improve the life quality of several families, meanwhile turning the site into a valuable tourist attraction.

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Suggested Improvements:
List of Suggested Improvements:

Conceptional Proposal:

 

The suggested improvements are the followings:

  • Tour Guides

  • One time clean up

  • Signage/historical, directional.../

  • Parking lot

  • Rest Rooms

  • Night Lighting

  • Coffee Shop

  • Souvenir Shop

  • Road Construction, as the road to the Monastery is nearly ruined.

 
Electricity:

The source of electricity is available 3km far from the site. If a counter is situated on one of the monastery walls it could provide the site with electricity.

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Water:

Although water exists at Gndevank, the taps and pumps need to be replaced  with new ones in order to supply the monastery with fresh water.

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Concessions:
Souvenir / Gift Shop
Souvenir / Gift Shop:

The souvenir shop can be on the first floor of the wooden building near the site. As it has two or three floors, each can be used for a kind of service. 

The building belongs to the Committee of Preservation of Monuments.

 
Coffee Shop / Tea Room
Coffee Shop / Tea Room:

The second floor of the above mentioned building can be used as a coffee shop or a tea room.

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Restrooms:
Restrooms:

There aren't any restrooms at the site. They can be situated on the ground floor of the building shown in the site visit report. 

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Parking:
Parking:

The parking lot can be constructed where our car is standing in the site visit report pictures. It's under the hill on top of which the monastery is situated.

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Signage:

Road Signage Leading to Sites
Road Signs:

XX

 
Historical Information Signage at Sites
Historical Information Signs:

XX

 
Directional Signage, Parking, Rest Rooms
Directional Signs:

XX

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Tour Guides / Pamphlets / Literature:
 

Tourist Literature about selected sites to be available at hotels and travel agencies. (Armenian/English/Russian/… etc)

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Initial / One Time Clean-up / Routine Maintenance:

Clean up of the site and the adjacent areas. As the monastery does not function a clean up is undeniably necessary.

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Night Lighting:

Night lighting is crucial for the monastery. Because the source of electricity is not far from the site and could be solved easily, the night lighting system could be organized straightforward.

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