Landmarks and attractions in Armenia
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Most interesting
attractions and landmarks in
rmenia
Gatis Pvils, 8 March 2013
No.16. http://www.wondermondo.com/Armenia.htmImage: Kohr Virap monastery and Ararat mountain.
Andrew Behesnilian, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.wondermondo.com/Armenia.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/Armenia.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/Armenia.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/Armenia.htm -
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In spite of its small size Armenia has quite a fewsurprising landmarks. Highlights of this country are:
Some of the oldest churches and Christianmonasteries in the world. The oldest state built
cathedrals and churches are found in Armenia this was
the first country to adopt the Christianity in 301 AD and
soon after were built the first large churches, basing onolder construction and art traditions. The first and most
important is Etchmiadzin Cathedral, originally built in
303 AD, rebuilt in 480 AD.
Archaeological heritage, mainly cyclopeanfortresses, mysterious megaliths and cliff carvings. Most
of the world was primitive, when in Armenia were
domesticated animals and cultivated plants, used metals
and writing. Here is found the oldest winery in the world
(more than 6,000 years!) and the oldest shoe in the
world. Rather many archaeological landmarks have
unclear meaning we don't know why these were built(Ujan gates) and even how it was possible to make
them (e.g. Ladder to the sky).
Jermuk falls Vayots Dzor. 68 m tall waterfall of
thermal, mineral rich water. Water is sliding down along
travertine formations.
Qasakh falls(Kasakh waterfalls) Aragatsotn.
Impressive, 70 m tall waterfall with 2 main cascades.
Falls into Qasakh canyon.
Shaki waterall (Shaque Falls) Syunik. Interesting
waterfall, divided into numerous smaller trickles.
Approximately 18 m (40 m?) high.
Archer cave Vayots Dzor. Longest and deepest
known cave in Armenia, some 3.3 km long and 145 m
deep. In the cave have been found numerous bones of bears.
Karahunj stone circle.Alexandr Naumov, Flickr, CC BY 2.0
One of the best known and most interestingarchaeological landmarks in Armenia isKarahunj, often called Zorats Karer. Most likelythis is settlement and megalithic necropolis from the
Middle Bronze Age Iron Age.According to alternative theory this is purportedworld's oldest astronomical observatory, built in the6th millenia BC.
Wondermondo is unique project: it aims to describe the most interesting man made and natural attractions /
landmarks in the whole world.
Author of website www.wondermondo.com and each article in it is Gatis Pvils. Visit the site to find a lot more
information!
Qasakh falls.Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.wondermondo.com/index.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/index.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/index.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/http://www.wondermondo.com/http://www.wondermondo.com/http://www.wondermondo.com/index.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/Armenia/Syunik/Karahunj.htmhttp://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/As/Armenia/Syunik/Karahunj.htm -
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Qasakh canyon Aragatsotn. Beautiful, unusual canyon, up to 150 200 m deep, with interesting basaltic
cliffs. Contains 4th century temple, carved in the rock.
Skhtorashen Tree (Sose's Tree) Gegharkunik. GiantPlatanus orientalis tree, more than 2,000 years old,
with circumference of 27 m, 54 m tall.
Symphony in Stone in Garni Gorge Kotayk. Large basalt outcrop with basalt columns in the
spectacular Garni Gorge.
Vorotan Devil's Bridge (Satanayi kamurj) Syunik. Natural bridge from travertine, formed by thermal
springs. 30 m long and 50 60 m wide.Thermal springs at the foot of bridge, travertine terraces (gours) in the
cave.
Argishtikhinili Armavir. Remnants of the largest
Urartian city in Armenia. Founded in 776 BC.
Construction of city was enormous feat, there were built
massive fortifications, city was some 1,000 hectares
large.
Areni 1 cave Vayots Dzori. Chalcolithic and Bronze
Age settlement in a cave. Inhabited circa 5,000 4,000
BC. Here was found also the world's oldest winery,
where wine was made more than 6 thousand years ago.
Erebuni Yerevan. Hillfort with ruins, built by Urartian king Argishty I in 782 BC. Buildings with frescoes,
cuneiform inscriptions. Contains remnants of palace, Susy temple.
Horom citadel Shirak. Cyclopean fortress of giant stones, built in the Bronze Age.
Lchashen megaliths Gegharkunik. Cyclopaean fortress, built in 4th 2nd millenia BC and numerous
other megaliths stone circles, mounds, settlements, cemeteries.
Metsamor settlement and megaliths Armavir. Hillfort, which has been inhabited for many millenia
from the 5th century BC to 18th century AD. Remnants of megalithic stone walls, alley of enormous phallic
stones and stone circles.
Shengavit settlement Yerevan. Ruins of very old city, inhabited from the late 4th millenium BC
(Chalcolithic Age) to 2nd century BC. Contrary to most other settlements of this period, Shengavit was
surprisingly developed city, with massive, cyclopean walls. Along the streets of city were built more than 1,000
circular and square buildings for diverse purposes. Underground passage provided a path for escape. City had
organized guilds for different crafts.
Teishebaini (Karmir Blur) Yerevan. Ruins of the former provincial capital of Urartu Kingdom. Built in the
7th century BC, contained enormous palace with 120 rooms, citadel. Destroyed by fire soon after, in the early
6th century AD.
Areni 1 caves.Serouj, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
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Amberd fortress Aragatsotn. Impressive
mountaintop fortress, built in the 7th century AD.
Located in the site of Stone Age settlement. Abandoned
in 1236.
Berdavan fortress Tavush. Impressive, well
preserved mountaintop fortress. Originally built in the
10th 11th centuries, current structures most likely
from the 17th century. Walls are up to 10.5 m tall.
Dilijan, Sharambeyan street Tavush. Historical
district of Dilijan city, with its characteristic
architecture. stone houses here are adorned with ornate
wooden details.
Dvin Ararat. Location of early capital of Armenia,
built by Khosrov III in 335 AD. City had up to 100,000
inhabitants, gradually declined after the eartquake in893 AD. Contains ruins of 4th century church.
Kakavaberd Ararat. Remains of large hilltop fortress from the 4th century AD. Major part of massive stone
walls preserved. Located in the pristine Khosrov forest.
Khndzoresk cave settlement and Stone pyramids of Gori (Old Goris) Syunik. Ancient village in river
canyon. In the cliffs have been formed numerous artificial caves houses, which were inhabited until the
1950ies. Each of apartments has door, window, oven. Doors are some 4 5 m above the ground.
Kumayri historic district Shirak, Gyumri. District with thousands of buildings from the 18th 19th
century. One of the few places with dense concentration of historical Armenian architecture.
Smbataberd fortress Vayots Dzor. Hilltop fortress, well preserved. Built mostly in the 9th 10thcenturies.
Anapat Cave Tavush. Cave, which is adorned with
very interesting carvings of faces and other symbols,
which resemble Mayan stone carvings. Cave served as an
ancient cult site (Anahit or Nana cult).
Garni temple Kotayk. Hellenistic temple in the
prehistoric Garni fortress. Temple most likely was built
in the 1st century AD by Tiridates I of Armenia.
Reconstructed in 1969 1975.
Oshakan Tukh Manuk shrine Aragatsotn. One of
the shrines of the popular cult of Tukh Manuk which
united Christianity and paganic beliefs. Now in ruins.
Tsitsernakaberd shrine Yerevan. Iron Age (second
millenium BC) shrine and necropolis with megalithic
wall, stone altar and graves covered with up to 2 tons
heavy stone blocks. Nearby memorial to the victims of
Armenian Genocide.
Old Goris ancient aparments in cliffs.
Lori-m, Wikimedia Commons / public domain
Garni Temple.Mcschreck, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-2.0
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Etchmiadzin Cathedral Armavir. Centre of
Armenian Apostolic Church and spiritual centre of
Armenia. Initially built in 303 AD, rebuilt in 480,
beautiful stone carvings.
Lmbatavank Shirak. Small, very old church, built in
the 7th century, with frescoes from this same period.
Bronze Age cemetery belov the church and around it.
Saint Gayane Church Armavir. Very old church,
built in 630 AD and little changed since then.
Saint Hripsime Church Armavir. One of oldest
churches in Armenia, built in 395 618 AD. Important
monument of architecture which to some extent defined
the traditional Armenian architecture. Constructed over
prehistoric cult site.
Zvartnots Cathedral Armavir. Ruins of cathedral,
which was built in 641 653 AD. According to some
reconstructions building had bold design it was three floors high rotunda.
Yererouk Basilica Shirak. Ruins of very old church, built in the late 4th or 5th century AD. Destroyed by
an earthquake in the 17th century.
Geghard Monastery Kotayk. Unique structure
partly carved in adjacent cliff, richly ornamented.
Monastery was founded in the 4th century.
Goshavank Monastery Tavush. Old monastery,
established in the 12th 13th century. Consists of a
group of beautiful churches and other buildings. Special
value of monastery is a collection of some of most
intricate stone carvings in the world several
outstanding khachkhars, including the famous
Needlework khachkhar from 1291, created by Poghos.
Haghartsin Monastery Tavush. Small monastery,
built in forested mountain valley in 10th 14th century.
Contains St. Astvatsatsin church, built in 1281.
Renovated.
Haghpat Monastery Lori. This monastery was established in 10th century and contains unique
architecture and art values including some of the best and intricate stone carvings. One of oldest buildings
St. Nishan church, originally built in 966 967, later extended and rebuilt.
Harichavank Monastery Shirak. Beautiful historical monastery, established in the site of prehistoric
hillfort in the 7th century AD or earlier. Main building is the impressive Church of the Holy Mother of God
from 1201, with interesting architecture details.
Khor Virap Monastery Ararat. Very old monastery, chapel first built here in 642 AD. Important
historical site close to Ararat mountain (now in Turkey).
Noravank Monastery Vayots Dzori. Group of architectonically interesting buildings, built mostly in the
13th century. Especially interesting is the Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church with outer stairway
leading to the second floor.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Butcher, Wikimedia
Commons, CC-BY-3.0.
Geghard Monastery.T.Frederick, Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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Sanahin Monastery Lori. Very old monastery, established in the 10th century. The old buildings are
adorned with intricate stone carvings.
Sevanavank Gegharkunik. Monastery at the shores of Sevan (originally on island), established in 874
AD. Best preserved are two churches some of most picturesque Armenian churches with Lake Sevan as
magnificent backdrop.
Tatev Monastery Syunik. This monastery was established in the 9th century and is located on the rim of
canyon, in the site of former pagan cult site. In the 14th 15th century here operated Tatev university. Sts.
Paul and Peter Cathedral is built between 895 and 906 AD, ornamented with murals in 930. Monastery has
also pendulous column (Gavazan Siun) which warns about the earthquakes.
Karahunj (Zorats Karer, Carahunge) Syunik.
Megalithic stone circle necropolis. Some 223 stone
tombs found here, from the Middle Bronze Age to Iron
Age. Many stones have holes in them and there is a
hypothesis that these holes were used in ancientastronomy.
Vishap of Aragats Aragatsotn. Approximately 3 m
tall standing stone, erected in Neolithic Age, some 5,000
years ago. according to legends this is a guardian of Kari
lake.
Ladder to the Sky in Arpa River Gorge Vayots
Dzor. Approximately 100 m tall cliff monolith with
amazing step ladder leading up to the summit of this
monolith.
Ujan gates Aragatsotn. One of several mysterious gates leading into the mountain. Gates are closed with
large stone door from the same material as the surrounding cliff. When gates are closed, they are almost
invisible. Another such gate in Sesame mountain, present day Turkey serves as a possible inspiration to the
legend about Ali-Baba.
Yelpin stairs Vayots Dzor. Prehistoric footsteps
carved in a 50 m tall cliff.
Matenadaran Yerevan. One of the largest collections
of medieval manuscripts in the world, mostly in
Armenian language. Collection has almost 17,000
manuscripts and huge number of other documents.
Noratus cemetery Gegharkunik. Medieval cemetery
with the largest aggregation of khachkars intricately
carved gravestones in Armenia. In total here are some
900 khachkars, the oldest are from the 10th century.
Carvings on some stones depict the wedding.
Ukhtasar petroglyphs (Ughtasar) Syunik. Rocks
with numerous prehistoric engravings goats, deers,
mufflons, horses. Created in the 5th 4th century BCand 3rd 2nd century BC, but the oldest could be from the 6th millenia BC.
Vishap of Aragats.MEDIACRAT, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Khachkars in Noratus cemetery.Arantz, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
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