Pink city, monasteries and “Wings of Tatev”: what are the must-sees of Armenia?
Vladimir Vinogradov August 20, 2023, 11:15 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
A seasoned traveler’s guide to interesting places and activities.
president of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community
Traveling to Armenia is a movement not only in space, but also in time. Ancient monuments, Christian relics, caravanserais of the Silk Road and the richest intangible cultural heritage – everything is concentrated in a small but very picturesque piece of land surrounded by the South Caucasian ridges. What you definitely need to do in Armenia, I will tell below.
In the previous article, we talked about what to do in Kyrgyzstan:
Do It Before Autumn: 5 Reasons To Visit Kyrgyzstan This Summer
Stroll through Yerevan
The keyword here is wander. “Pink” thanks to the nuances of the tuff, Yerevan is one of those happy cities where at every step you risk running into something historical, interesting or paradoxical. If not the monumental Grand Cascade with a stunning panorama of the city, then a pleasant English park where you can hide from the heat. If not the central GUM, then the authentic Vernissage. And if not the Yerevan Museum of History, then the most controversial and controversial Museum of Modern Art. Choose Erebuni Fortress to start, the place where Yerevan began. And from there go without a route – the capital itself will tell you how not to miss all the most significant and interesting.
Yerevan
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Taste the Sevan crayfish
Sevan crayfish is the same safe Armenian specialty as lavash or shish kebab. Arriving in Sevan and not trying the legendary crayfish necks is like driving through Italy without pizza: you can, but you better not. Having satisfied the gastronomic hunger, it is also worth closing the emotional one, since the views of the lake, the snow-capped mountains and the ancient Sevanavank monastery will perfectly cope with this task.
Sevanavank Monastery
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Marvel at the neighborhood’s Hellenistic and Christian architecture.
Not far from Yerevan, paradoxically, two ancient temple complexes coexist: the pagan Garni and the Christian Geghard. The first resembles the Athenian Acropolis, miraculously brought to the Caucasus, and the second is striking in the skill with which it is “built into” the surrounding rocks.
Garrison
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
According to legend, it was in Geghard that the spear with which Christ was pierced on the Cross was kept for a long time. Over time, the Christian relic was brought to Etchmiadzin, but the name Geghardavank – “spear monastery” – still reminds of these events.
If you are lucky, you can hear amazing polyphonic chants in the monastery which, in the surroundings of the rocky temple complex, completely blurs the line of reality and takes you to a place far away from everyday problems and thoughts.
Geghardavank
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
See the top of Ararat
Holy Ararat means a lot to all the inhabitants of Armenia. The mountain can be seen from almost anywhere in the country, but the most impressive view opens from the foot of the Khor Virap monastery. The strict and ascetic walls of the monastery are enhanced by the majestic plain and the silhouette of the mountain ranges, creating a fascinating panorama from which it is impossible to take your eyes off. To enhance the impression, I recommend visiting Khor Virap at sunrise or sunset – under the rays of the sun, the monastery and the slopes of Ararat look most impressive.
Ararat
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Ride the longest cable car in the world
Located in the southeast of the country, the Wings of Tatev cable car is almost 6 km in a cabin above the Vorotan River gorge and the shortest way to Tatev Monastery. Built in a record time of 10 months, the cable car officially upheld another world record and entered the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest passenger cable car. Travel time to the monastery is 12 minutes. Add 3.5 hours of travel from Yerevan, and the tour program for the whole day is ready. But Wings of Tatev and Tatev Monastery are definitely worth it.
“Wings of Tatev”
Photo: www.istockphoto.com
Following the link, we talk about amazing places in Tajikistan:
5 places worth visiting Tajikistan. Traveler’s Notes
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