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    Tourist Attractions in Armenia

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Armenia. Photos and a brief description.

    About Armenia

    Armenia is a state with an ancient history, located in a very picturesque area. There are a lot of places left here that have preserved their unique flavor.

    The oldest is the word that best characterizes Armenia. Indeed, this country was the first to adopt Christianity, because there are many ancient temples here, and the great culture of the state of Urartu still remains a mystery and causes awe of scientists. A thousand—year-old observatory, mountain villages where houses were built a couple of hundred years ago, ruins of fortresses – all this can be seen in Armenia.

    And also very hospitable people live here, tourist tours are very cheap, overnight accommodation is also. We advise travelers to completely switch to local cuisine during their holidays in Armenia. Believe me, you haven’t eaten such a delicious barbecue anywhere! And there is also the freshest, baked lavash, duduk, the famous cognac, churchkhela and wine.

    Visit Lake Sevan and the monastery Tatev, wander through the mountains, get acquainted with the unimaginably ancient history of Armenia, and in search of modern entertainment, go to Yerevan, a city that quite successfully combines innovation with ancient traditions.

    Top Cities to Visit in Armenia

    Top Tourist Attractions in Armenia

    Lake Sevan

    The pearl of Armenia, located at an altitude of 1916 meters above sea level. With its clear water and green shores surrounded by mountain peaks, Sevan is called one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world. The ancient Armenians believed that the Gods drink from Sevan, therefore they treated it with great trepidation. Now more than 250 thousand people live on the shores of the lake, excellent conditions are created for recreation here, and the area is simply created to admire nature.

    Lake Sevan
    Karaunj Observatory (Zorats-Karer)

    Karaunj Observatory (Zorats-Karer)

    At first glance, this is not an observatory at all, but blocks of stones that someone has placed in an order incomprehensible to modern people, but well traceable. Scientists have recognized that Zorats-Karer is really an observatory. It is located on a mountain plateau near the city of Sisian. The complex includes many standing stones, some with holes. Archaeologists have found burials here, a cattle pen, as well as a special arrangement of stones that allows you to observe the Sun and Moon.

    Mount Ararat

    Ararat is the pride of Armenia, its most famous peak, which it shares with Turkey. The Lesser and Greater Ararat are separated, but both peaks are considered sacred. The locals believed that climbing Ararat, where, according to legend, Noah's ark stopped after the flood, was a God—defying thing. Today, everyone who is confident in their abilities and training can climb Ararat, only you should buy an appropriate ticket and get permission from the authorities.

    Mount Ararat
    Tatev Monastery

    Tatev Monastery

    The most famous and ancient monastery complex of Armenia, located 20 kilometers from the city of Goris. Today it is a tourist complex that attracts thousands of travelers. Tatev is famous not only for its history (it was built in the IX century), but also for the Wings of Tatev cable car, as well as a natural bridge Satani Kamurj and the cave of the same name. In Tatev, you can see several ancient temples and a lot of other attractions at once.

    Sanahin

    This is another famous monastery complex, built in the 10th century. It is included in the UNESCO list. Sanahin is known for its original architecture and rich history. Into a harmoniously formed architectural ensemble Sanahina includes a cathedral with remnants of paintings, several groups of sculptural images, chapels, churches, a tomb, as well as an original arched bridge decorated with figures of wild cats.

    Sanahin
    Mountains of the Lesser Caucasus

    Mountains of the Lesser Caucasus

    They differ from their "brother" of the Greater Caucasus in the lower height of the peaks, but this does not make them at all less attractive for tourists and climbers. The highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus is the mountain Aragats with a height of 4090 meters is located in Armenia. The Lesser Caucasus includes seven ridges, between the peaks of which there are cozy green valleys and untouched forests. The nature here is amazingly beautiful, so it would be a big mistake not to visit this place.

    St. Hripsime Church

    A church built in the XVII century in the city Vagharshapat still attracts tourists with its unusual architecture. Holy Church Hripsime looks both powerful and elegant, majestic and calm. The construction of the church is connected with the legend of Christian girls who fled from Rome to Armenia, but were killed here by the local king, who later repented, was baptized and built this unusual church, named after one of the girls.

    St. Hripsime Church
    Matenadaran

    Matenadaran

    A unique repository of ancient manuscripts, the Matenadaran, is located in Yerevan. To see this building and its exhibits, you should climb the hill along the avenue Mashtots. Near the entrance you will be greeted by sculptures depicting Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian script and his disciple. Today The Matenadaran is the largest repository of ancient Armenian manuscripts on the planet, although the collection has been looted several times before.

    Echmiadzin Cathedral

    The main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Echmiadzin Cathedral is located in the city of Vagharshapat, included in the UNESCO list. This is one of the most ancient Christian churches on the planet, built in the IV century! The cathedral, of course, has undergone many reconstructions over the years, the last one in the twentieth century. The temple is distinguished by its magnificent decoration, austerity of lines and special architecture, complemented by pointed bell towers.

    Echmiadzin Cathedral
    Temple of Peace in Garni

    Temple of Peace in Garni

    This unusual temple is called "Armenian The Parthenon." Mihr Temple in Garni really looks antique, it seems that by some miracle it was transferred to Armenia from Ancient Greece. Slender columns, porticos, luxurious mosaics — the temple of Mihr was used by the Armenian kings with pleasure as a summer residence. It was carefully restored after the earthquake and now historical performances are regularly held here.

    Erebuni Fortress

    If you want to see what the capital of Armenia looked like 2.7 thousand years ago, be sure to take the time to visit the fortress Erebuni, which became the first serious defensive structure in the country. Erebuni still holds a lot of mysteries, archaeologists continue to find unique artifacts here. And the fortress itself, located in the Ararat Valley, looks very beautiful.

    Erebuni Fortress
    Yerevan Cascade

    Yerevan Cascade

    The cascade occupies the status of the main attraction of Yerevan, therefore, to visit the capital of Armenia and not see this man-made miracle will be a big omission. The cascade consists of artistically decorated and ordered sculptures, stairs, fountains and flower beds, picturesquely located on the slopes Kanaker Hills. This is really the main decoration of the city, and from the top of the Yerevan Cascade there will be a wonderful view of the whole city and the peaks of Ararat.

    Virap Choir

    Khor Virap is located at the foot of the most famous mountain of Armenia — Ararat, above the underground prison, which was used in the IV century. The views from the monastery are really amazing, but its buildings themselves are interesting for their history and interior decoration. We advise you to visit the cells of the underground prison, which have survived to this day, and the Church of Our Lady.

    Virap Choir
    Republic Square in Yerevan

    Republic Square in Yerevan

    The architecture of Republic Square was created before 1958, it is formed by five buildings located here: the Central Post Office building, the National Historical Museum of Armenia, the Ministry of Energy of the country, the Government of Armenia and the Marriott Armenia Hotel. It is noteworthy that all the buildings are lined with pouf, represent a single architectural ensemble. We advise you to visit the square in the evening, when the singing fountain turns on here, changing the backlight.

    Tsitsernakaberd

    This is a memorial complex erected on the hill of the same name and dedicated to the Armenian Genocide in the early twentieth century. Tsitsernakaberd includes a 44-meter stele, a pedestal in the form of a cone with a burning eternal flame, a wall of mourning and the Armenian Genocide Museum. The stele is split, which symbolizes the separation of the Armenian people, most of whom live in the Diaspora precisely because of the genocide. The place is beautiful, memorable and a little sad.

    Tsitsernakaberd
    Geghard Monastery

    Geghard Monastery

    Geghard is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Armenia because of its ancient history, unique architecture and proximity to the capital of the country. Is located Geghard is 40 kilometers from Yerevan, in the picturesque gorge of the mountain river Gokht. The monastery is built on rocks, many rooms are simply hollowed out inside the cliffs, and the stone walls are decorated with steles with crosses.