Khor Virap Monastery
Translated from Armenian, Khor Virap means deep dungeon, and this is where Gregory the Illuminator was jailed for 14 years.
Khor Virap is one of the most special places to visit in Armenia because of its location and mind-blowing view of Mount Ararat.
The 5th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God, which is located on a hilltop, gives it another charm and is an amazing addition to the view of Mount Ararat, which seems surprisingly close despite being rather far away by distance.
Khor Virap is surrounded by green fields and vineyards, and the monastery is one of the gems of Armenia that no one should miss when visiting the country (or Ararat marz!).
It is also extremely easy to get from Yerevan to Khor Virap with options on public transportation, as well as affordable tour options.
Ararat Brandy
As we mentioned before, Mount Ararat and its name are iconic and very popular among Armenians.
You will see many brands that have Ararat in their name, but one of the most popular brands that exists in Armenia and is known worldwide is Ararat Brandy (or cognac as the locals say).
The legendary and famous Ararat brandy factory is located in Yerevan on top of a hill next to the Hrazdan gorge and has a big history and legacy to tell.
Armenian Brandy actually gained popularity at the beginning of the 20th century because of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.
At the Yalta Conference in 1945, Joseph Stalin presented Winston Churchill with a bottle of Ararat Brandy (Dvin). Winston Churchill, a fervent brandy lover, fell in love with Ararat Brandy, and as a result, Stalin sent Churchill 400 bottles of Dvin batch Ararat Brandy annually.
Hrazdan Gorge things to do and Yerevan off the path guide
Ararat Brandy Factory
For Armenians, besides wine, cognac has to be of top quality, and that quality has been delivered for more than 100 years by Ararat brandy, and this is just one more thing that puts Armenia on the map.
It’s also possible to take a tour of the factory to see how Ararat brandy is made, learn the history of the factory, and enjoy the brandy itself with some great dried fruits and chocolate.
Armenian Carpets (Rugs)
For centuries, Armenians have been known for creating one of the best and most beautiful carpets in the world. It is a tradition to have a carpet inside an Armenian house as a part of the interior decoration.
It is possible to see how carpets and rugs are made in Armenia at the Megerian Carpet Center or the Tufenkian Hotel next to the Vernissage.
The traditional ornaments are made by hand just like it was done centuries ago, and these masterpieces are truly pleasing to the eye.
Khachkars
A unique and typical Armenian stone art known as ‘khachkars’ (cross-stones) is one of the most popular art forms in Armenia.
A khachkar is a big piece of stone with Christian art carved into it, coming from the 4th century, that shows the skills of the Armenian masters. There are still thousands of khachkars from ancient times that have been preserved until this day.
How to Easily Get From Yerevan to Noratus Cemetery
Noratus Cemetery
Because it is so special to Armenia, it is no surprise that its ornaments and symbols are included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
One of the most famous places to see Armenian khachkars from various decades of Armenian history is Noratus Cemetery. At Noratus, it is possible to see cross-stones from the 10th century! It is truly a fascinating, open-air museum.
History of the Silk Road in Armenia
When people think of the Silk Road, they more often than not think of China and Central Asia. However, Armenia, like other places in the Caucasus, played an important role in trading on the Silk Road, especially at Artashat.
While many remnants and traces of the Silk Road are gone in this part of the world, you can still see traces down in the Vayots Dzor region at Orbelyan’s Caravanserai, an important inn for traders that existed and was saved.
Pomegranates and Apricots
The pomegranate is not only a fruit that grows in Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), but it is also phenomenal and widely used in food, and is also one of the most popular symbols for Armenia used in art and architecture.
Walking down the streets of Yerevan, it is possible to see pomegranates engraved and carved into the buildings’ facades.
Nowhere else in the world do apricots (tsiran) grow and taste as delicious as they do in Armenia. The ancient fruit, mentioned in many old manuscripts, is truly the pride of Armenia.
Even the famous Duduk (Tsiranapogh) is made from the apricot tree. The fruit is widely used in Armenia and is exported to many countries every year.
You will also find pomegranate and apricots used in foods and wines.
First Winery in the World
If you didn’t already know, the first winery known to the modern world was founded in Armenia in the Areni village. It dates back to 6100 BC.
Areni is known to be one of the most popular wine regions of Armenia, where the highest quality libation is made, so it was no surprise that they discovered the oldest winery in the world inside the Areni-1 Cave.
In Areni-1, it is possible to see where the wine was made and how the ancient, clay wine barrels were dug into the soil.
In some of those barrels, young female bones were discovered as signs of sacrifice. It’s a truly unique place to visit in Armenia, and to be able to see the traces of the world’s oldest winery.
Besides the winery, in the same Areni-1 cave, the world’s oldest leather shoe was discovered. It is approximately 5,500 years old.
Temple of Garni (Pagan Temple)
Even though Armenia has a big Christian history, its Pagan history is just as important. The perfect example is the only preserved Pagan Temple in the country. The Temple of Garni dates back to 1 AD and was dedicated to the God of the Sun Mihr.
It is truly an amazing gem located on the edge of the Azat Gorge, yet another mind-blowing location that the ancient Armenian kings and queens used as a royal summer house.
The Temple of Garni is one of the most beloved places for travelers to visit because of its interesting structure and impressive location in the Caucasus region.
Tatev Monastery
If you want to learn about the spiritual life of Armenia, then it is a must to take a trip to Tatev Monastery. It has breathtaking architecture and is a spiritual Christian construction isolated from the world on the edge of the Vorotan River.
The 9th-century Tatev Monastery complex and the fortifications are iconic Christian symbols of Armenia. It is located in the mountains. That is why, based on ancient myths, it is called Tatev, which translates to “give wings” in Armenian.
In the Middle Ages, Tatev Monastery was known as one of the best universities in Armenia, where it was possible to study religion, science, and philosophy.
To get to Tatev Monastery, you need to ride on the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway, which is 5.7 km long. The ride is gorgeous and the views are mesmerizing- you get the feeling that you are flying in the sky as you cross the gorge. This is why the tramway was given the name Wings of Tatev.
Armenia’s Velvet Revolution in 2018
Armenia has a remarkable ancient history and heritage, but modern Armenia also shows the world its effort to create a great democratic environment for its citizens and all the visitors to this beautiful country.
To move forward in 2018, the Armenian nation initiated a peaceful velvet revolution to remove its then-corrupt party from power, as it was not leading the country with a democratic lifestyle or standards.
2018 Velvet Revolution in Armenia
Armenia’s example of a peaceful velvet revolution was exceptional for many post-Soviet countries, showcasing that one small country facing many problems with corruption was able to unite and, without any victims, make changes to their country and its political system.
Yerevan Metro
Built during the Soviet era and becoming fully operational in 1981, the Yerevan Metro is probably one of the smallest metro systems in all post-Soviet countries. However, it is one of the best secrets of Yerevan as it is affordable, efficient, and will get you from point A to point B.
The Armenian government is working on opening more metro stops, and the construction has already started. The current number of stops is limited (only ten!), but they are very clean and have artistic designs.
The most noticeable Yerevan metro stations are the post-modern Yeritasardakan (Youth) Station and the beautiful fountains at the Republic Square Station.
The full length of the metro is 13.4 km, and the working hours are from 6.30 am to 11 pm. The price of a ticket is 100 AM,D and you will notice that plastic coins are still being used in Armenia, but there is talk that that will change shortly.
Armenian Language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language and is considered to be one of the oldest in the world. The Armenian alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 406 AD and underwent several evolutions during the coming centuries.
In the Armenian language, there is a “dead language” called Graphar. It is used during church ceremonies, but not in daily life.
Armenian Alphabet Monument
Nowadays, the Armenian language is divided into two parts: Western Armenian, which is used by the diaspora, and Eastern Armenian, which is used in Armenia today. Both dialects have differences in writing and pronunciation.
There are 39 letters in the Armenian alphabet, and it is considered a national point of pride of the nation… so much that there is a monument dedicated to the Armenian Alphabet’s 1600th anniversary.
With an ancient alphabet, Armenia has many unique Armenian expressions that only other Armenians understand!
Western Armenia
The modern territory of Armenia is only 30% of what its historical territory was. The lands and territories have changed so many times throughout history.
Armenia used to be a lot bigger (territory-wise) in the past, but after the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and after becoming part of the Soviet Union, it lost its historical territories. Still today, Armenians refer to these lands as Western Armenia even though they fall under present-day Turkey.
Western Armenia used to be one of the biggest cultural and industrial centers of the region, and cities like Kars and Ani were the result of Armenians’ brilliant architectural and business minds.
Still today, many historical remains, churches, and cities showcase why Armenians still consider Western Armenia a historical homeland
