Armenia is a country with one of the most ancient history among all European States.
As a country that was not landlocked, Armenia is rich in many interesting and exciting places, and today we will tell you about the ten most unusual of them.
10. “Crystal chorus” (Crystals of Refrain), Ahcc (Aghdzk)
It’s not just a random collection of stones — they are part of history, carved on a huge stone.
A 45-minute drive North-West of Yerevan, capital of Armenia, lies the village of Ahcc. Close to it there is a hill on top of which you can see a place called Kcymaerxthaere, known as the “Crystal chorus”.
Created by geographer Isom by Demetrios (Eames Demetrios), a very unusual project called Kcymaerxthaere” — a “parallel universe that intersects with much of our linear Earth through different stories, creatures, peoples, even laws of physics and the physical qualities of our planet.” This can be compared with the novel, the pages of which are in different places.
What makes this project particularly surprising and interesting is the fact that Demetrios travels the world and sets in different places memorial stones and information markers, thus marking historical sites that connect to his world, creating real world intersections of his imaginary universe.
“The crystals of refrain in Aghtsk tells the story of a woman named Liala Me-ning (Eliala Me-Ning with the beautiful voice who saved the boy falling from the gorge of the mountains along with a stream of water, his voice turning water into soft rocks, which softened his blow.
9. The Monastery Of Noravank (Noravank Monastery), Yeghegnadzor (Yeghegnadzor)
Located in a picturesque valley, Noravank — monastery complex built in XIII-XIV centuries on the ledge of a narrow gorge of a tributary of the ARPA river near the town of Yeghegnadzor.
This place is a fine example of the ornate architecture of the time. The complex consists of three extant churches, each of which is decorated with intricate designs and religious reliefs: Church of Surb Astvatsatsin, Surb Karapet Church and chapel of St. Gregory.
When in the XIII century, the Mongols conquered Armenia, they looted many historic temples in the country. However, Noravank was spared this fate thanks to the help of the Lord himself depicted on one of the reliefs with large almond-shaped eyes. That’s appeasement to the Mongolian phenotype of Asian heritage, it seemed, reassured them, and they left Noravank intact.
8. The monument of Armenian alphabet the Armenian Alphabet Monument), Byurakan (Byurakan)
Giant letters carved out of tufa, is dedicated to the Creator of the Armenian alphabet, linguist and educator Mesrop Mashtots.
In 2005, the Armenian alphabet celebrated its 1600th birthday. In commemoration of this date was carved 39 letters, installed near the final resting place of the man who created the alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots.
Working on the creation of the alphabet, Mashtots was under pressure of responsibility and realize that fulfills a very important mission, because with the help of the alphabet it would be possible to implant Christianity (as it is known, Armenia first adopted Christianity in 301 as a state religion) and it could be used to create a Bible for the new Christian Kingdom.
Mashtots developed the structure of the alphabet, making reference to religion. For example, the first letter of the alphabet “A” is the first in the word “Astvats” (“God”). He created 36 letters, and the alphabet, which may be called “absolute” (as it corresponded to the language of the era and hasn’t undergone serious changes after sixteen centuries, are still used today with 3 added letters.
In honor of this great work carved out of stone letters of the Armenian alphabet were installed on the background of the mountain Aragats along with the statue of enlightener Mesrop Mashtots, as a tribute to the complex, unique and ancient language, which is the national pride of Armenia.
7. The Khor Virap monastery Khor Virap Monastery), the foot of Ararat
The Armenian monastery is located near the border with Turkey, at the foot of mount Ararat, where, according to legend, turned out to be Noah’s ark after the flood.
Khor Virap monastery is located over an underground prison that were, according to legend, the place the 15-year imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who was there by order of the Armenian king Trdat III.
Once on the hill on which the monastery was located the ancient capital of Armenia — Artashat, built around 180 BC by king Artashes I.
Today the monastery Khor Virap is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage for Christians from around the world. In the Church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy virgin), built in the Central part, a regular worship.
6. “Cave town” Old Khndzoresk, Old Khndzoresk Cave Village Khndzoresk
This impressive system of man-made caves was once a whole village, which stretches for 3 kilometers along the slopes of a deep gorge and was one of the largest and most populous in Eastern Armenia.
The historic cave village consists of natural and artificial caves which, according to some estimates, lived up to 15 thousand people. The village even had two churches and three schools.
5. The Monastery Of Geghard (Geghard Monastery), Forest (Goght)
A more complete name of this Armenian monastery carved in the rocks — Geghardavank (monastery of the spear”) originates from the spear of Longinus, which had pierced the body of Jesus Christ on the cross (now the spear is in the Echmiadzin Museum).
At the turn of the fourth century, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as the official religion. Led by Gregory the Illuminator who baptized the Armenian Royal family in 301, the country was plunged into a religion, collecting artifacts and building impressive monasteries throughout history.
Founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the monastery traces its history back to the IV century. Initially it was a small cave chapel built on the site of a sacred spring. Over time the complex grew, becoming more ornate and massive. In 1215 was built the main and most outstanding chapel.
Along with the religious importance of this place, Geghard monastery offers stunning views of the gorge of the right tributary of the Azat river that surrounds the complex.
4. The cave complex Areni (Areni Cave Complex), village of Areni
This is not only an amazing cave system, but also a place that houses amazing artifacts from the Copper age.
Located above the Armenian town of Areni in the Vayots Dzor region, Areni cave is a treasure trove of artifacts from the copper age, including the oldest Shoe, brain, and winery in the world!
As a result of archaeological excavations conducted since 2007, established that the cave consists of at least 5-6 layers of Neolithic epoch (4300-3500 BC). Archaeologists have discovered a series of clay pots, each of which was a skull, presumably that of a teenager. It is noteworthy that in one of these skulls were found withered but well-preserved brain tissue from surviving on the surface of blood vessels, making it the oldest sample of the brain of prehistoric man ever found.
Even more surprising finding was discovered in 2010, when archaeologists dug up stitched leather shoes. Shoes with laces are well preserved due to the special climate of the caves. According to analyses, the scientists found that the find belongs to the time interval 3627-3377 BC, that is, the shoes were made almost 1,000 years before they built the pyramids of Giza and 400 years before Stonehenge was built. And the most unique finds of the many discovered in a cave complex Areni. However, excavations are still ongoing, so it is possible that the world will hear about even more ancient artifacts.
3. The magic cave Levon (Levon”s Divine Underground), Yerevan
When his wife asked him to build a cellar, he got a little carried away and in 23 years have built an amazing system of caves.
Levon Arakelyan, a Builder by profession, was 44 years when his wife Tosya asked him to build a cellar to store potatoes under the house in Arrinj. By the time of his death at the age of 67 years, he dug up an amazing system of caves using nothing but hand tools, inspiration and tireless hard work.
Poring over 21 meters, the master dug nearly 150 meters of corridors. Intersecting passages forming a cross in the middle of which are the Holy places, issued in the form of small temples with art carving.
All this he did without any drawings and special equipment — if someone from above had sent him advice on where to dig, how to arrange the room, which direction should turn the corridor. It is truly a magical cave, which should visit everyone!
2. The Gorge Of Garni (Garni Gorge), Nor (Jrashen)
On our planet there are a lot of canyons, but only a few of them as beautiful as this!
In the protruding part of the gorge you can see an old temple known as the temple of Garni. Built in the I century ad, is well preserved. It is believed that it was founded by the Roman Emperor Nero, and is the most Eastern Greek temple in the world.
Originally the temple was built to worship the Greek gods, although things have changed since then, as Armenia adopted Christianity. Along the gorge is the bridge of the XI century, once crossing the river, which now became a Creek. Near the gorge is the ancient monastery of Geghard, about which we told above.
1. Echmiadzin Cathedral (Holy Etchimiadzin), Ejmiatsin (Vagharshapat)
The world’s first public Church built in the early IV century and is still one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Echmiadzin Cathedral is the main Church of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The Cathedral is associated with the name of Gregory the Illuminator, which Jesus Christ himself pointed out the place for construction.
The Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world, and since 2000 is included in the List of world heritage of UNESCO.
