Armenia is a country with one of the most ancient histories among all European states. As a landlocked country, Armenia is rich in many interesting and amazing places, and today we will tell you about ten of the most unusual ones!
10. Crystals of Refrain, Aghdzk
This is not just a random collection of stones - they are part of a story carved into a huge stone.
The village of Akhtsk is located 45 minutes drive northwest of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Not far from it there is a hill, on top of which you can see a place called Kcymaerxthaere, known as "Chorus Crystals".
Created by geographer Eames Demetrios, a highly unusual project called "Kcymaerxthaere" is "a parallel universe that intersects with much of our linear Earth through different histories, beings, peoples and even the laws of physics and physical qualities of our planet." It can be compared to a novel whose pages are in different places.
What makes this project especially amazing and interesting is that Demetrios travels the world and places memorial stones and information markers in various places, thereby marking historical places that connect with his world, creating real world crossroads of his imaginary universe.
Promotional video:
"Chorus Crystals" in Akhtsk tells the story of a woman named Eliala Me-Ning with the most beautiful voice in the world, who saved a boy who fell from a mountain gorge with a stream of water, turning the water into soft stones with her voice, which softened his blow.
9. Noravank Monastery, Yeghegnadzor
Located in a picturesque valley, Noravank is a monastery complex built in the 13th-14th centuries on the ledge of a narrow gorge of the tributary of the Arpa River near the city of Yeghegnadzor.
This place is a fine example of the ornate architecture of the time. The complex consists of three churches that have survived to this day, each of which is decorated with intricate patterns and religious reliefs: Surb Astvatsatsin Church, Surb Karapet Church and Surb Grigor Chapel.
When the Mongols conquered Armenia in the 13th century, they plundered many of the country's historic temples. However, Noravank was saved from this fate thanks to the help of the Lord Himself, depicted on one of the reliefs with large almond-shaped eyes. This appeasement to the Mongolian phenotype of Asian heritage seemed to calm them down and they left Noravank intact.
8. Armenian Alphabet Monument, Byurakan
Giant letters carved from tuff are dedicated to the creator of the Armenian alphabet, linguist and educator Mesrop Mashtots.
In 2005, the Armenian alphabet celebrated its 1600th birthday. To commemorate this date, 39 letters were carved, installed near the place of the last resting place of the person who created the alphabet - Mesrop Mashtots.
Working on the creation of the alphabet, Mashtots was under the pressure of responsibility and realized that he was fulfilling an important mission, because with the help of the alphabet there would be an opportunity to root Christianity (as you know, Armenia was the first to adopt Christianity in 301 as a state religion) and it could be used for creating a bible for the new Christian kingdom.
Mashtots developed the structure of the alphabet, making references to religion. So, for example, the first letter of the alphabet "A" is the first in the word "Astvats" ("God"). He created 36 letters, and his alphabet, which has the right to be called perfect (since it corresponded to the language of that era and practically did not undergo serious changes after sixteen centuries), is still used with 3 letters added.
In honor of this great work, the letters of the Armenian alphabet carved from stone were installed against the backdrop of Mount Aragats along with the statue of the enlightener Mesrop Mashtots, as a tribute to the complex, unique and ancient language that is the national pride of Armenia.
7. Khor Virap Monastery, foot of Mount Ararat
The Armenian monastery is located near the border with Turkey, at the foot of Mount Ararat, on which, according to legend, Noah's Ark ended up after the Flood.
The Khor Virap monastery is located above the underground prison, which, according to legend, was the place of 15-year imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator, who ended up there by order of the Armenian king Trdat III.
Once upon a time on the hill on which the monastery is located was the ancient capital of Armenia - the city of Artashat, built around 180 BC. King Artashes I.
Today Khor Virap monastery is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world. In the church of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), built in the central part, regular services are held.
6. "Cave city" Old Khndzoresk Cave Village, Khndzoresk
This impressive system of man-made caves was once an entire village that stretched for 3 kilometers along the slope of a deep gorge and was one of the largest and most populous in Eastern Armenia.
The historic cave village consists of natural and man-made caves, which, according to some estimates, were home to up to 15 thousand people. There were even two churches and three schools in the village.
5. Geghard Monastery, Goght
The more complete name of this Armenian monastery, carved into the rocks - Geghardavank ("monastery of the spear") - comes from the spear of Longinus, which pierced the body of Jesus Christ on the cross (now this spear is in the museum of Echmiadzin).
At the turn of the 4th century, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as an official religion. Led by Gregory the Illuminator, who baptized the Armenian royal family in 301, the country plunged into religion, collecting artifacts and building impressive monasteries throughout history.
Founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator, the monastery dates back to the 4th century. Initially, it was a small cave chapel built on the site of a sacred spring. Over time, the complex grew, becoming more richly decorated and massive. The main and most prominent chapel was built in 1215.
Along with the religious importance of this place, Geghard Monastery offers a stunning view of the gorge of the right tributary of the Azat River that surrounds the complex.
4. Areni Cave Complex, Areni village
It is not only an amazing cave system, but also a place where amazing artifacts of the Copper Age are kept.
Located above the Armenian city of Areni in the Vayots Dzor region, Areni Cave is a veritable treasure trove of Copper Age artifacts, including the oldest shoe, brain and winery in the world!
As a result of archaeological excavations, which have been conducted since 2007, it has been established that the cave consists of no less than 5-6 layers of the Eneolithic era (4300-3500 BC). Archaeologists have discovered a series of clay pots, each containing a skull, presumably a teenager. It is noteworthy that one of these skulls contained dried but well-preserved brain tissue with preserved blood vessels on the surface, making it the oldest specimen of a primitive brain ever discovered.
An even more surprising find was discovered in 2010 when archaeologists unearthed a stitched leather boot. The shoes along with the laces are well preserved due to the special climate of the caves. According to their analyzes, scientists found out that the find belongs to the time interval 3627-3377 BC, that is, the boot was sewn almost 1000 years earlier than the pyramids of Giza were built, and 400 years earlier than Stonehenge was built. And these are just two of the many unique finds found in the Areni cave complex. However, excavations are continuing, so it is quite possible that the world will hear about even more ancient artifacts.
3. Levon's Divine Underground, Yerevan
When his wife asked him to build a cellar, he got a little carried away and in 23 years built an amazing cave system.
Levon Arakelyan, a builder by profession, was already 44 years old when his wife Tosya asked him to build a cellar for storing potatoes under a house in Arinj. By the time of his death at the age of 67, he had dug a stunning cave system using nothing but hand tools, inspiration and tireless hard work.
Deeper by 21 meters, the master dug out almost 150 meters of corridors. The intersecting passages form crosses, in the middle of which there are holy places, decorated in the form of small temples with artistic carvings.
He did all this without any drawings and special equipment - as if someone from above guided him with advice on where to dig, how to decorate the room, in which direction the corridor should turn. This is truly a magical cave that every person should visit!
2. Garni Gorge, Jrashen
There are many gorges on our planet, but only a few of them are as beautiful as this!
In the protruding part of the gorge, you can see an old temple known as the Garni Temple. Built in the 1st century AD, it is perfectly preserved. It is believed to have been founded by the Roman emperor Nero, and is the most eastern Greek temple in the world.
Initially, the temple was built to worship Greek gods, although everything has changed since Armenia adopted Christianity. Along the gorge there is an 11th century bridge that once crossed the river, which today has become a stream. Not far from the gorge is the ancient Geghard monastery, which we talked about above.
1. Echmiadzin Cathedral (Holy Etchimiadzin), Vagharshapat
It is the world's first state church, built at the beginning of the 4th century, and is still one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The erection of the cathedral is associated with the name of Gregory the Illuminator, to whom Jesus Christ himself indicated the place for construction.
The cathedral is one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world, and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.
