Armenia Travelling Guide Things To Do In Armenia
Historical Tours
 |  |  |  |
|---|
Khor Virab
Khor Virap (deep prison) is an ancient Armenian monastery located near the state border of Armenia, near the city of Artashat. The monastery is known for its location at the foot of the biblical Mount Ararat, on which, according to legend, Noah found himself on an ark after the Flood.
The monastery is located above the underground prison, in which, according to legend, the Armenian king Trdat III imprisoned St. Gregory the Illuminator for 13 years before he was converted to Christianity, according to the traditional date, around 301.All of Armenia was converted to Christianity in 301, thus becoming the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion.
The monastery served as the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians was located.
Khor Virap Hill is located on the site of the ancient capital of Armenia Artashat, built around 180 BC by King Artashes I, the founder of the Artashesid dynasty. Initially, in 642, Nerses III the Builder built a chapel over the dungeon, where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. It has been rebuilt several times. The entrance to the underground prison, which has survived to this day, is located in the chapel of St. Gregory, built in 1661. The depth of the underground prison is from 3 to 6 meters.
On the territory of the monastery, in its central part, there is also a large church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Blessed Virgin Mary), built in the middle of the XVII century. At the same time, the cells of the monks and the monastery itself were built. Now it is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites of Armenians from all over the world. Regular worship services are held in the church.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Alphabet Alley
The Armenian alphabet was introduced by Mesrop Mashtots and Isaac of Armenia (Sahak Partev) in AD 405. Medieval Armenian sources also claim that Mashtots invented the Georgian and Caucasian Albanian alphabets around the same time. However, most scholars link the creation of the Georgian script to the process of Christianization of Iberia, a core Georgian kingdom of Kartli. The alphabet was therefore most probably created between the conversion of Iberia under Mirian III (326 or 337) and the Bir el Qutt inscriptions of 430, contemporaneously with the Armenian alphabet.Traditionally, the following phrase translated from Solomon's Book of Proverbs is said to be the first sentence to be written down in Armenian by Mashtots:
Armenia Travelling Guide.
Things to Do in Armenia
 |
|---|
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Amberd
Amberd is a historical complex on the slope of Mount Aragats in Armenia from the castle of the VII century and the church of the XI century. Located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level.
It is assumed that the castle was founded by the princes of Kamsarakan, then the castle passed into the possession of the Armenian commander Vagram Pahlavuni. Subsequently, it was bought by Armenian rulers from the Bagratuni dynasty, who turned the castle into the main outpost of their kingdom. The church in it was built in 1026.
​
From the castle down into the gorge, there were numerous underground passages, some of which can still be found today. Also, in Amberd there was a system of water pipelines, while only a 4-kilometer part of it has been investigated, the beginning has not yet been found.
Amberd Castle is located halfway to the peaks of Aragats in a beautiful gorge between two rivers.
The 3-storey palace occupied an area of about 1500 square meters. m. Despite the fact that the palace is partially destroyed, artifacts found during the excavations indicate that the palace was richly decorated.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Areni Cave
The Areni cave complex is a multicomponent site,and late Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age ritual site and settlement, located near the Areni village in southern Armenia along the Arpa River.
Three individuals who lived in the Chalcolithic era (c. 5700–6250 years BP), found in the Areni ("Bird's Eye") cave were identified as belonging to haplogroup . One individual's genome indicated that he had red hair and blue eyes.
​
The Late Chalcolithic (ca. 4,300–3,500 Cal BC) is represented by the “Areni” and “Godedzor” traditions, with such sites as Areni. cave and the settlements of Teghut and Nerkin Godedzor. Society is characterized by a diversity of cultural complexes, growing complexity, relations to the Syro-Mesopotamian (Late Ubaid, Uruk) and North Caucasian (Early Maikop) worlds, as well as extractive copper metallurgy. ... The Late Chalcolithic traditions in Armenia (Areni, Teghut, Nerkin Godedzor), Azerbaijan (Ovçular Tepesi, Mentesh Tepe, Leylatepe) and Georgia (Berikldeebi) share common characteristics and regional contacts to Maikop and Ubaid-Uruk. These societies are on the way towards growing complexity, a process reflected in the appearance of developed copper based metallurgy (molds, slags, ingots, kilns, pure and arsenic copper), new metal weapons/tools (knife/daggers, spearheads, flat axes), ceramics (potter’s wheel, pottery signs), exotic and prestigious objects of gold, silver, and lapis-lazuli, stamp seals and status symbols (scepters), kurgans and jar burials, and rudiments of monumental architecture (cf. the “temple” of Berikldeebi). This is all accompanied by the blossoming of long distance trade, essential transfer of knowledge, and the development of centralized hierarchies.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Devil's Bridge
Located below Tatev Monastery, in the 500-meter gorge of the Vorotan River, is one of Armenia’s natural wonders – “Devil’s Bridge”. Over the millennia, wind and water have created this wonder of nature, polishing and piercing the petrified lava. The width of this natural bridge, along which runs the auto road to Tatev Monastery, is 60 m, the length 30 m. Close to the bridge it is possible to swim in the warm salubrious springs, ringed by stalactites of marvelous colors. The most intrepid can descend to the river to see the secretive grottos below the springs.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Dilijan
Dilijan is located in the northeast of the Armenian Highlands, north of the Areguni Range and east of the Gugarats Range.
Dilijan is the intersection of roads connecting the cities of Tavush, Lori and Gegharkunik regions. The road through the picturesque Dilijan Pass connects the city with Lake Sevan located to the south, to the east is the capital of the region - the city of Ijevan, and to the west - Vanadzor. The city is located 100 km northeast of Yerevan.
In 1986, a railway connection appeared in the city (the section Dilijan - Hrazdan - Yerevan is 144 km)
​
Dilijan is a city in the Republic of Armenia, a mountain-climatic and balneological resort. It is located on the Aghstev River (right tributary of the Kura River).
Dilijan is surrounded on almost all sides by the territory of the Dilijan Reserve, one of the richest in the South Caucasus. The city itself has been given the status of a national park. Many famous Armenian artists, composers, scientists and directors lived and live in Dilijan. Today the city is considered one of the most intellectual cities in Armenia. A special pride of the city is the music school, many of the graduates of which become students of the Yerevan Conservatory, and the music school. Within the city and in the district there are many holiday homes, guest houses and hotels.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Garni Temple
The Temple of Garni is a temple in Armenia. it was a pagan temple in Armenia, built in the first century AD by the Armenian king Trdat I. It is located 28 km from Yerevan in the Kotayk region, in the valley of the Azat River, near the village of Garni. It was destroyed in the earthquake of 1679 and rebuilt from the ruins during the Soviet era.
The fortress of Garni is mentioned by Tacitus in connection with the events in Armenia in the first half of the I century AD.The following references are made by armenian historians of the fifth century to Faustos Buzand, Yeghishe and Movses Khorenatsi
It was built by the Armenian king Trdat I (66-88) in 77, as evidenced by the inscription discovered in 1945 in the village of Garni in Greek:
This inscription is mentioned by Movses Khorenatsi, who attributed it, as well as the rebuilding of the fortress, to Trdat III the Great (286-330). It is now attributed to Trdat I, who was not yet a Christian. The temple was probably dedicated to the god Mger. The temple was part of the development of the inner space of the Garni fortress, which was one of the brightest evidences of the centuries-old culture of the pre-Christian period of Armenia. The fortress of Garni began to be built in the II century BC and continued to be built up during the ancient era and partially in the Middle Ages. In the end, the Armenian rulers made it impregnable. The citadel protected the inhabitants from foreign invasions for more than 1,000 years.
The Armenian kings loved this place very much – and not only because of its inaccessibility, but also because of the good climate – and turned it into their summer residence. Garni Fortress is located 28 km from the capital of Armenia – Yerevan. Strategically, Garni's location was extremely well chosen. According to the Urartian cuneiform found on the territory of Garni, this fortress was conquered by the Urartian king Argishti in the first half of the VIII century BC. Then he gathered the population of the area around Garni as a labor force and headed towards modern Yerevan, where he built the fortress of Erebuni, which later became Yerevan.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Geghard Monastery
While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. The monastery had thus been originally named Ayrivank meaning "the Monastery of the Cave". The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now it is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury.
The spectacular towering cliffs surrounding the monastery are part of the Azat River gorge, and are included together with the monastery in the World Heritage Site listing. Some of the churches within the monastery complex are entirely dug out of the cliff rocks, others are little more than caves, while others are elaborate structures, with both architecturally complex walled sections and rooms deep inside the cliff. The combination, together with numerous engraved and free-standing khachkars is a unique sight, being one of the most frequented tourist destinations in Armenia.
Most visitors to Geghard also choose to visit the nearby pagan Temple of Garni, located further down the Azat River. Visiting both sites in one trip is so common that they are often referred to in unison as Garni-Geghard.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
Haghartsin Monastery
Haghartsin is a 13th-century monastery located near the town of Dilijan in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It was built between the 10th and 13th centuries (in the 12th under Khachatur of Taron); much of it under the patronage of the Bagratuni Dynasty.
The monastery of Haghartsin, together with that of Goshavank, may become part of a natural site based on the state protected area of Dilijan National Park, an important forest in north-eastern Armenia
In 2011, Haghartsin Monastery underwent major renovation by Armenia Fund with a donation from HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Today the complex is reachable by paved road with a large parking area, a gift shop, bakery and other facilities on site. In 2017 the monastery was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Trail long-distance hiking route.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in both Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude (alpine) lakes in Eurasia.The lake is situated in Gegharkunik Province, at an altitude of 1,900 m (6,234 ft) above sea level. The total surface area of its basin is about 5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi), which makes up 1⁄6 of Armenia's territory. The lake itself is 1,242 km2 (480 sq mi), and the volume is 32.8 km3 (7.9 cu mi).[3] It is fed by 28 rivers and streams. Only 10% of the incoming water is drained by the Hrazdan River, while the remaining 90% evaporates.
The lake provides some 90% of the fish and 80% of the crayfish catch of Armenia. Sevan has significant economic, cultural, and recreational value. Its sole major island (now a peninsula) is home to a medieval monastery.
Sevan was heavily exploited for irrigation of the Ararat plain and hydroelectric power generation during the Soviet period. Consequently, its water level decreased by around 20 m (66 ft) and its volume reduced by more than 40%. Later two tunnels were built to divert water from highland rivers, which halted its decline and its level began rising. Before human intervention dramatically changed the lake's ecosystem, the lake was at an altitude of 1,916 m (6,286 ft) above sea level, 95 m (312 ft) deep, covered an area of 1,416 km2 (547 sq mi) (5% of Armenia's entire area), and had a volume of 58.5 km3 (14.0 cu mi).
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Noravank
Noravank is a 13th-century Armenian monastery, located 122 km from Yerevan in a narrow gorge made by the Amaghu River, near the town of Yeghegnadzor in Armenia. The gorge is known for its tall, sheer, brick-red cliffs, directly across from the monastery. The monastery is best known for its two-storey Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) Church, which grants access to the second floor by way of a narrow stone-made staircase jutting out from the face of building.
The monastery is sometimes called Noravank at Amaghu, with Amaghu being the name of a small and nowadays abandoned village above the canyon, in order to distinguish it from Bgheno-Noravank, near Goris. In the 13th–14th centuries the monastery became a residence of Syunik's bishops and, consequently, a major religious and, later, cultural center of Armenia closely connected with many of the local seats of learning, especially with Gladzor's famed university and library.
Noravank was founded in 1105 by Bishop Hovhannes, a former abbot of Vahanavank near the present-day city of Kapan in Syunik. The monastic complex includes the church of S. Karapet, S. Grigor chapel with a vaulted hall, and the church of S. Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God). Ruins of various civil buildings and khachkars are found both inside and outside of the compound walls. Noravank was the residence of the Orbelian princes. The architect Siranes and the miniature painter and sculptor Momik worked here in the latter part of the thirteenth and early fourteenth century.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Saghmosavank
The Saghmosavank (monastery of the Psalms") is a 13th-century Armenian monastic complex located in the village of Saghmosavan in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. Like the Hovhannavank monastery which is five kilometers south, Saghmosavank is situated atop the precipitous gorge carved by the Kasagh river. Their silhouettes dominate the adjacent villages and rise sharp against the background of the mountains crowned by Mount Aragats.
The main structures of the monasteries erected by Prince Vache Vachutyan—the Church of Zion in Saghmosavank (1215) and the Church of Karapet in Hovhannavank (1216-1221)—belong to the same type of cross-winged domed structure with two-floor annexes in all the corners of the building. Subcupola space predominates in the interiors of both churches, which is reflected in the exterior shapes of these structures.
​
 |  |  |
|---|
Shaki Waterfalls
Shaki Waterfall is a waterfall in Armenia, with a height of 18 m. It is located in Syunik Province.
The Shaki Waterfall is situated 6 km from the town of Sisian. On the left side of the river Vorotan's gorge, basalt lava flows have solidified to form a ledge 18 meters high from which the waterfall cascades down.
Among the locals there is a story about the extraordinary appearance of the waterfall. Foreign invaders stole about a hundred girls from the conquered village for their master. Those, not wanting to obey and lose freedom, under the pretext of washing away the dust from themselves, threw themselves into the waters of Vorotan.
Only one of them, the blue-eyed Shaki, tried to swim to the opposite shore. When the pursuers had almost overtaken her, the rocks opened under the feet of the beauty, and she disappeared into the abyss under the foamy waters. During the fall, the magnificent dress of the young beauty opened and turned into a chain of a dozen cascades that formed the Shaki in sky waterfall.
 |  |  |  |
|---|
Tatev Monastery
The Tatev Monastery is a 9th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the village of Tatev in the Syunik Province in southeastern Armenia. The term "Tatev" usually refers to the monastery. The monastic ensemble stands on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. Tatev is known as the bishopric seat of Syunik and played a significant role in the history of the region as a center of economic, political, spiritual and cultural activity.
The Monastery of Tatev has been described as one of the two best-known monasteries in Armenia, along with Noravank in the province of Vayots Dzor.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting. Scholars of the Tatev University contributed to the preservation of Armenian culture and creed during one of its most turbulent periods in its history.
The restoration of the monastery, re-establishing its educational legacy and reviving monastic life at Tatev is one of the main goals of Tatev Revival Program, a part of which is the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway, a cableway from Tatev to the village of Halidzor, which was opened in October 2010. It was included in the Guinness World Records as world's "longest non-stop double track cable car."
​
 |  |  |  |
|---|
Tsaghgatsor
Tsaghkadzor is a spa town and urban municipal community, as well as one of the most popular health resorts in Armenia, located north of the capital Yerevan in the Kotayk Province. According to the 2011 census, the town has a population of 1,256, down from 3,350 reported in the 1989 census. Currently, the town has an approximate population of 900 as per the 2016 official estimate.
The infrastructure of tourism is highly developed in Tsaghkadzor, with many luxurious hotels, resorts and amusement facilities.
Tsaghkadzor ski resort is located just above the town, at a height of 1,750 meters above sea level. It was fully modernized during the first decade of the 21st century. All of the cableway lifts are manufactured and operated by the Leitner Group. The current structure replaced the old soviet-era lifts, mostly following their path. There were initially 3 consecutive lifts stretching from the foot of the mountain at a height of 1969 meters above sea level, up till the mountain peak at 2,819 meters high, with the first and second lifts ending at 2,234 meters and 2,465 meters high, respectively. In 2006 a fourth lift was added, stretching from the end of the first stage towards an opposite hilltop, thus adding two trails, both leading down to the foot of the slopes. Apart from the lifts the resort offers ski and snowboard rental as well as skiing instructors. The skiing season in Tsaghkadzor normally starts in mid-December and stretches well into March with the top slopes often fit for skiing in April.
Tsaghkadzor is the second Armenian city after Yerevan to have the largest number of hotels. Many luxury hotels and resorts were opened recently to serve the town during the summer and winter seasons, including the Marriott Tsaghkadzor Hotel, Multi Rest House Hotel, Golden Palace Resort and Spa, Ararat Resort Tsaghkadzor, Best Western Alva Hotel and Spa, and the Tsaghkadzor General Sports Complex Hotel.