Along the Kasagh gorge, in a scenery dominated by Mt Aragats (4090m), lie a series of monasteries. Mughni is not the most impressive. It is relatively new by Armenian standards (14th century, fully rebuilt between 1661 and 1669, when eastern Armenian was ruled by the Safavid Shahs of Iran). It's a solid construction, however: it withstood the earthquake of 1679 which flattened Yerevan and heavily damaged nearby Hovhannavank.
Hovhannavank is situated about 5km north of Mughni. It is set on the edge of the gorge, a stunning location. It has a 5th century chapel, and many additions to that, mostly by Prince Vache Vachutian in the 13th century. The tympanum of the south door is noticeable: Christ seems to be blessing the 5 wise virgins on the right and rebuking the 5 foolish ones on the left. But the "virgins" have beards. They might be apostles then, but why 10 instead of 12?
Saghmosavank, another 5 km to the north, was built by the same Vache Vachutian, again at on rim of the gorge. Its oldest part is the Zion church of 1215, but as usual in Armenia various buildings (other church, gavit, library) were subsequently added.