Armenia

Article Yerevan surroundings

History, landscape and views of Ararat

Milan Kment
Wrote 154 articles and follows him / her 15 travelers
(2 rating)
Yerevan surroundings
Inserted: 21.01.2018
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There are many interesting places and monuments within easy reach of the capital and often within an hour's drive. Remains of an ancient temple, monasteries, torn valleys and an unforgettable view of the national symbol of Armenia are all close to Yerevan.

Garni

About half an hour's drive east of Yerevan lies the ancient Garni Temple. It dates from the 1st century and is dedicated to the sun god Helio.

Garni
Author: Milan Kment © gigaplaces.com

Garni

This later summer residence of the royal family is reminiscent of the Athenian Pantheon. It is not an original, but a reconstructed „new building“ of the temple from local building material, ie hard Armenian basalt. From the place is a beautiful view of the notch of the valley of the river Azat.

Garni
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Geghard

Driving from the Garni in an easterly direction, we will reach the Geghard Monastery in about another half hour. It lies in the valley of the river Azat and was founded in the 4th century. It is surrounded by rock gables, into which a number of cave churches and tombs have been carved.

Geghard
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Geghard

Both the Azat Valley and the Geghard Monastery are on the UNESCO list. Inside is lively, not only tourists. If one is lucky, one can witness a number of religious ceremonies.

Geghard
Author: Milan Kment © gigaplaces.com

Khor Virap

From the southeast, from Yerevan, in a short half hour we will reach one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in Armenia, the Khor Virap Monastery. It lies on the border with Turkey, the individual border lines and fences are clearly visible from there. The view of the biblical Ararat, 5134 m high, is so breathtaking. It is so close and yet so far away. The border is closed on Turkish territory…

Khor Virap
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Zvartnots

This cathedral has been on the UNESCO list since 2000. Zvartnots, the remains of an ancient city with a cathedral, were rediscovered in the 20th century and are located about 15 km from Yerevan. In 930 there was a devastating earthquake and the cathedral building was completely destroyed. It even served as a building material for more than a thousand years. From here, too, the view of Ararat is breathtaking.

Zvartnots
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com

Armenian alphabet

From Yerevan to the north through the city of Ashtarak towards the highest mountain in Armenia, Aragats, you can find the Monument to the Founders of the Armenian Alphabet. The translation of the Bible into Armenian necessitated the creation of an alphabet written by the monk and linguist Mesrop Maštots. The alphabet was created in 405 AD and to see here are its individual characters in life-size, carved from black and gray tuff.

Armenian alphabet
Author: Milan Kment © gigaplaces.com

Kasagh

North of the town of Ashtarak stretches the attractive valley of the river Kasagh. From the edge of the valley, to the south, Yerevan is in sight.

Kasagh
Author: Milan Kment © gigaplaces.com

Hovhannavank and Saghmosavank

These monasteries are about 5 kilometers apart and can be found on the western edge of the attractive valley of the river Kasagh. They are easily accessible from the main road on the way back from the Monument to the Founders of the Armenian Alphabet.

Hovhannavank and Saghmosavank
Author: Petr Liška © gigaplaces.com
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Dagmar Titzová
03.02.2019 15:32
The World TOP
Milan Kment
21.01.2018 11:00
Good