Handbook

Places to Visit

For maps of cities and towns in Armenia visit http://www.calle.com/world/armenia/

Yerevan:
This city was founded by King Argishti I of Urartu in 782 BC. A cuneiform inscription on a stone slab discovered during excavations within the city limits reads: "By the grace of God Khaldi, Argishti, son of Menula has built this magnificent fortress and names it Erubouni in glorification of the land of BiaynaÖ" Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world, owes its name to this fortress. Yerevan occupies a territory of about 186 sq. miles. Its population is about 1.5 million. The climate is continental. It is a city of advanced science, culture and education with numerous museums, libraries, art galleries and theaters. Although one of the oldest cities in the world, it is also very modern with vast squares, broad avenues, green parks and gardens, and buildings of pink tufa stone. It leaves the tourist with enduring memories.

Haghartsin:
The monastery complex of Haghartsin is 7.4 miles away from the city of Dilijan. This monastery is located on a small plain and is surrounded with deep canyons. The first references to the monastery date back to 1196. Written sources show that in that particular year at the ritual of the blessing of St. Gregory Church in Goshavank, the chief priest of the Haghartsin monastery, Reverend Khachtaur Taronetsi was also present. From this we can conclude that the monastery was already there in the 12th C.

Echmiadzin:
12.4 miles away from Yerevan, Echmiadzin is the religious capital of Armenia. The Cathedral, the oldest Christian temple, was founded in 301 A.D. and is one of the first churches in the Christian World. During the 1700 years of its existence, the Cathedral has undergone countless reconstructions and restorations and its original appearance has significantly changed. After declaration of Christianity as the one and only religion in Armenia in 301 A.D., the Armenian King Tradt III released an order to destroy the pagan temple of Sardaramet and build a Christian church in its place, the first Cathedral of St. Echmiadzin. There is a legend associated with the name of the Cathedral: Gregory the Illuminator saw a dream where Jesus Christ descended from heaven and with his fiery hammer pointed at the place where the new church should be constructed. This is why the Cathedral is called Echmiadzin, the place of the Savior's descent.

Garni:
One of the greatest monuments of the Hellenic period in Garni is the pagan temple of the 1st century A.D.. The original period of construction of the temple is unknown, although historian Movses Khorenatsi mentions its existence of the temple already in the 1st century A.D.. The faÁade of the temple is arrayed with Hellenistic columns, decorated with beautiful bas-reliefs and engravings. Those bas-reliefs seem so real that one might think they were not engraved but cast or sculptured rather than engraved. Garni is a 1st century A.D. temple in the Hellinistic style

According to this chronicler, the Armenian King Tradt III (289-330 A.D.) restored the area and gave it as a present to his sister Khosrovandukht to be used as a royal summer residence.

Moughni:
The small village of Moughni is located next to Ashtarak. It is famous for its apricot orchards and the basilica-type St. George Church founded in 1661. The kaleidoscopic stones of the domes go well with the striking beauty of the Kasakh Canyon. The divine harmony of multicolored volcanic stones, emerald green, crystal-clear air and fresh water springs has coexisted with creations of the human mind since time immemorial.

Amberd:
According to N. Tokarski, the Kamsarakan family built the fortress and a part of the wall in the 7th century A.D.. The other parts of the citadel, referring back to the 10th century A.D., belong to the Pahlavouni Dukes. In the times of the Bagratouni Kings, the Citadel of Amberd was one of the most important strategic spots of early Middle Ages (10th C). It was founded in the Province of Aragatsotn, at an altitude of 1.42 miles above the sea level. Today it is a ruin. The citadel is a beautiful piece of Armenian architecture, and is being rehabilitated along with a part of the castle.

Goshavank:
In the Middle Ages, Goshavank was one of Armenia's most famous cultural centers. The disciples of the monastery later founded new schools and monasteries in different parts of Armenia. The Goshavank monastery complex consists of the St. Virgin's Church (1191-1196), St. Gregory's Church (1208), Illuminators Church (1237-1241), the Library of Manuscripts, dining hall and bell house. Many khachqars (cross-stones) can be found in the surroundings.

Lake Sevan:
Lake Sevan is one of the world's highest and largest freshwater lakes. Long admired for its beauty, the lake is called "Armenia's Pearl". It is located at an altitude of 0.74 miles above sea level. Its deepest parts are .001 miles deep, and its total surface is about 77.8 sq miles. Twenty-eight large and small rivers flow into Sevan, and only one river flows out: the Hrazdan River. The lake was once called the Geghama Sea. Trout is the "queens" of Sevan. But there are also other sorts of fish. Many resort centers are now built on the shore of the lake, and the beaches are lovely.

Hovannavank:
Sunk in the orchards of the village of Ohanavan, the cupolas of the famous Hovannavank (St. John's Monastery) can be seen. According to the legend, the monastery was founded in the beginning of the 4th C when Gregory the illuminator built the basilica. It was reconstructed in 573 A.D..

Khor Virap:
The cloister of Khor-Virap (Deep Pit) is in the Ararat Valley, facing the Biblical Mount Ararat. Since the 3rd century A.D.. the place has been associated with the name of Gregory the Illuminator and the spread of Christianity.

Noravank:
The monastery acted as a pulpit for Siuniq bishops in the 12-14th centuries. The main church is St. Karapet (1221-1227).

Odzun:
7.5 Miles south west of Alaverdim on the left bank of the Debed River, the Odzun basilica-type Church was built in the 6th C. This church has a very peculiar composition in terms of its space and volume. The church has coupled halls on the southern and the northern sides, and a central dome is part of it. The area of the Odzun Church is rich with historic and architectural monuments referring to different historic periods. Old churches and localities as well as monasteries have survived till today. Odzun is one of the most ancient settlements of Tashir province.

Zvartnots:
The ruins of the Temple of Zvartnots are morosely scattered against the panorama of Ararat Valley. At the entrance of the tree lined walk, the symbol of Zvartnots, the proud eagle is getting ready for his flight, as if to guard the ruins from above. The Armenian Catholicos Nerses III Tayetsi (641-661A.D) built Zvartnots, or the temple of the Angels, or the temple of St. Gregory. St. Gregory is famous for his building and for that reason he was probably given the nickname "Gregory the Constructor". At the ceremony of consecration of the temple in 652 A.D., Constantine III, the Emperor of Byzantium, admired the beauty of the temple so much that he wanted a similar one to be built in his capital. But the Emperor's wish was not fulfilled because the architect died on the way to Byzantium.

Gyumri:
Gyumri is located in the Shirak Valley, in the northwestern part of Armenia, at distance of 78.3 Miles from Yerevan, and is the second city of Armenia in terms of population, a territory, economic and cultural significance. Gyumri emerged during the Argishtly Dynasty in the 8th C BC. A cuneiform inscription found in the village of Vahrambred (Akhurian region) tells about the settlement called Kumarie.

After Lenin's death in 1924, the town was called Leninakan in memory of the leader of the Russian Revolution. Before that, it had other names one of which was Gyumri. - Gyumri has existed for more than 2,500 years and this fertile land gave birth to world-known scientists and writers, poets and musicians, among them Anania Shirakatsi the brilliant mathematician and astronomer, the famous 10th century A.D. architect Tradt, the prominent poets Avetik Isahakian and Hovhannes Shiraz, the talented composers Tigran Chukhajian and Armen Tigranian, the minstrels (A medieval entertainer who traveled from place to place, especially to sing and recite poetry), Djivani and Sheram, sculptors Sergy Merkurov and Frid Soghoyan, painters of the Aslamazian sisters and Minas Aavetission - Gyumri was destroyed twice by disastrous earthquakes-in 1926 and 1988, that took many thousands of human lives.

Noradouz:
On the way to Artsvakar, you can see a 9th C church called "St. John's". Northeast of the town of Gavar, is the village of Noradouz. This place was once the summer residence of the Armenian kings and noblemen. St. Virgin's Church is in the central part of the village. The church was built by Sahak from Gegharkunik in the 9th century A.D. and was destroyed by the Persians. Now it has been rebuilt and is being used. The oldest khachkar* (cross-stone) in the neighborhood of the church dates back to 996 A.D.. The largest graveyard of khachqars in Armenia is located in this village. It has existed from the 7-8th A.D centuries and is consider ed to be a family cemetery.

*Khachkar is an Armenian phenomenon and the inimitable symbol of Armenia. Cut in the stone, this cross symbolizes the sorrows and the blood of the victims of this nation throughout its history. The dine ornament, covering the stone plate symbolizes the vital power of the Armenian nation. "Even ferocity, death and genocide couldn't win themÖ" said Edward Mejelaitis. Khachkars are everywhere in Artsakh: in front of the churches, on the crossroads, in the fieldsÖ

Geghard:
At a distance of 25.9 Miles from the capital of Armenia, Yerevan the Gerhard church complex, can be found at the end of a canyon. The foundation period of this monument is unknown. In ancient times, Geghard was called "Ayrivank", probably because of the monastic cells in the caves of the rocks. In the 13th C the complex was renamed, "Geghardavank" (the Temple of the Spear) in favor of the head of the spear which was used by the Roman legionnaire to prick Jesus' rib to make sure he was dead.

Dilijan:
Dilijan has been a major summer resort since Soviet times. It is blessed with a cool, moist climate, even in summer, with pleasant evergreen forests protected, by a large nature reserve that wraps around the town and extends along the SW bank of the Getik river. For those interested in history and medieval architecture, Dilijan holds several attractions. One of them is Agartsin Monastery which might be described as a school of architecture. It took about 300 years to build with every generation of architects adding on new structures

Tatev:
One of the Armenia's most celebrated architectural monuments. The Tatev Monastery in the village of Tatev, Goris District, was founded on the site of an ancient sanctuary. Of all the groups of buildings, the St. Poghos and St. Petros Cathedrals are perhaps the earliest (895-960).

Zorakarer Karahunj (Stonehenge):
Also known as Karahunj, Angelakot, and just Zorakar, the ancient monument of Zorakar is the equivalent of England's Stonehenge, only older and cruder. Zorakar is a Bronze Age settlement/cemetery site. A series of standing stones, some with holes pierced in them, stand around large chamber tombs.

Ashtarak:
This verdant town is believed to be one of the most ancient sites where primitive man settled. Tsiranavor (meaning orange-colored) Church is the oldest structure to be found in this district . A short walk from Tsiranavor Church will bring us to Karmaravor (red colored) Church, one of the oldest churches of Ashtarak and the only one in Armenia with original roofing. Near to the church, there is an 8th century A.D. cemetery with a variety of interesting cross stones.

Matenadaran:
The Matenadaran is one of the oldest and richest book-depositories in the world. Its collection of about 17,000 manuscripts includes almost all of the areas of ancient and medieval Armenian culture and sciences - history, geography, grammar, philosophy, law, medicine, mathematics, cosmography, theory of calendar, alchemy, chemistry, translations, literature, chronology, art history, miniatures, music and theater, as well as manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Syrian, Latin, Ethiopian, East Indian, Japanese and others.

In this center of cultural heritage, many originals, lost to their mother languages and known only by their Armenian translations, have been saved from loss. The history of the Matenadaran dates back to the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 A.D.. It is named for the creator of the alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots. This center of manuscripts has a history of centuries. The nucleus of this collection is the Echmiadzin Patriarchal Matendaran.

The Republic of Mountainous Karabakh
East Armenia

A brief history ofNagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh):

The name of Karabagkh is relatively new and has been mentioned in Georgian and Persian documents of 14th-15th centuries. The meaning of the words "Arsakh" and Karabakh" are similar. According to the legend "Ar" means Aramaniani, Don of Haik Nahapet, "Tsakh" means tree or forest, because he ordered forests and fruit-trees to be planted. This word combination became Artsakh. The people of Karabakh emerged from a slow fusion of Armenians and Caucasian Albanians. By the 7th century A.D. they had formed an Armenian Principality known as Artsakh. The Arabs conquered the area in the 8th century A.D., followed by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century and Mongol/Tatar's in the 13-15th centuries. Recently the Karabakh region first wanted unification with Armenia, and then eventually fought for outright independence. The fighting began after pogroms of Armenians in Sumgait and Baku, and then spread into full-scale combat. The fighting went back and forth until May 9, 1994, which marked the capture of Shushi. Since that time, a cease-fire has held, although no peace treaty has been signed. Every valley in Nagorno-Karabakh is unique. In this beautiful country, there are many churches, monasteries, ruins of old settlements, bridges, castles, springs, mills, khachkars and cemeteries.

Major highlights of the area:

 

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