The territory of modern-day Sevan has been populated since the 3rd millennium before JC. The cyclopean fortress of Metsep dating back to the 3rd millennium before JC stands just north of the town. Another cyclopean fortress known as Mashtotsner is located in the Tsamakaberd neighborhood of Sevan.
The Sevan peninsula, located 3 kilometres (2 miles) east of present-day Sevan, is home to one of the most notable samples of medieval Armenian architecture, the Sevanavank Monastery of the 9th century. The monastery was mainly intended for monks from Echmiadzin who had sinned. Currently, the monastery consists of two churches: Surp Arakelots (Holy Apostles) and Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). The monastery is famous for its variety of the medieval Armenian Khachkars(cross-stones). Initially the monastery was built at the southern shore of a small island, that later turned into a peninsula during the 1st half of the 20th century, as a result of the artificial draining of Lake Sevan under Joseph Stalin's rule, causing the water level to fall around 20 meters.
In 1978, a national park has open to protect these beautiful landscapes.
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