Click here to see a map of Armenia
Armenia - A Cradle of Civilization
Armenia - acknowledged as one of the cradles of civilization - is a beautiful country with a sophisticated people and a long and cultured history. As a result, Armenia is an intriguing tourist destination. Numerous monuments and masterpieces of the Ancient era and Middle Ages can be found throughout the country. Tourism in Armenia is rooted in the country's historical landmarks and natural attractions such as the water resorts of Lake Sevan, the hot springs of Arzni and Jermuk, the forests of Dilijan, Aghveran, Tsaghkadzor, Bjurakan and Gugark, and the mountainous natural caves and cliffs of the Southeast region.
The Mount Ararat (at 16,945 feet), geographically located in Turkey, is a national symbol of Armenia and is visible from much of the Southwest region. majestic peak of Mount Ararat provides a stunning backdrop to Yerevan. The monastery of Khor-Virab and the ruins of the ancient city of Dvin (dating back to the second century BC) are only a short drive from Yerevan, capital of Armenia.
Yerevan extends you a warm and friendly welcome. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. The earliest recorded settlement there dates back to 782 BC. King Argishty I founded a fortress city in the north-eastern part of present-day Yerevan, with the following cuneiform inscription, "With the majesty of God Khald, Argishty, son of Menua, built up this inaccessible castle and named it Erebuni..." You can still see relics from this part of our history at the Erebuni Museum in Yerevan. It is also where the Biblical Noah's Ark first landed escaping the Great Flood, is the capital city of Armenia. With a population numbering over 1.2 million, Yerevan is a bustling city. The central plaza, Republic Square, is designed in the Armenian national style and houses the Government House, the Cabinet and other governmental offices as well as the Erebuni and Armenia hotels.
Also situated on Republic Square are the Armenian History Museum and the Art Gallery of Armenia. Here, one finds informative and interesting models and artifacts of ancient Urartu and Armenia. In the Art Gallery one finds a worthy section on Armenian art from the seventh century AD. Amongst the many other museums in the capital city, the two most interesting house museums are those of landscape artist Martiros Saryan (1880-1972) and twentieth century composer Aram Khatchaturyan.
A Statue of Komitas, one of Armenia's most loved composers, stands outside the Komitas Conservatory. Apart from writing many original compositions, Komitas traveled the country noting down folk songs for posterity.
Climate
The climate in Armenia is markedly continental. Summers are dry and sunny, lasting from June to mid-September. The temperature fluctuates between 71° and 96°F. However, the low humidity level mitigates the effect of high temperatures. Evening breezes blowing down the mountains provide a welcome refreshing and cooling effect.
Springs are short, while falls are long. Autumns are remarkable for their spectacularly colorful foliage.
Winters are quite cold with plenty of snow, with temperatures ranging between 23° and 14°F. Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy skiing down the hills of Tsakhkadzor, conveniently located 30 minutes outside of Yerevan.
Cultural Heritage
You can gain further insights into Armenian cultural achievements at museums, theaters and concert halls. Theater in Armenia has a tradition dating back more than 2,000 years. You can attend a wide choice of performances ranging from concerts to Puppet Theater and jazz music.
At the top of Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, the main artery of the capital city Yerevan, you will find the Matenadaran - the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. Matenadaran boasts the world's largest collection of ancient manuscripts (over 16,000). The collection includes many valuable works of foreign philosophers, some of which have survived only in their Armenian translation. Among these are works by Aristotle, Eusebius of Caesarea and many others. Art aficionados can visit the National Art Gallery displaying its rich collections of works by European and Russian artists. This impressive building located in the Republic Square is also home to the largest national collection of paintings by famous Armenian artists such as Ayvazovsky and Sarian. The spirit of creativity is fostered and promoted in Armenians from the young age. Hence, the Children's Art Gallery, which was the first permanent exhibition of its sort in the world. It is conveniently located at 13 Abovian Street, one of the better-preserved streets of old Yerevan.
The Alexander Spendiarian Opera and Ballet Theater, one of the principal features of Freedom Square, the design of which is based on the seventh century Cathedral at Zvarnotz consists of a splendid concert hall in addition to the opera house. The homes of many famous Armenian writers, poets, and artists are now open to tourists. Their hours of operation vary, so please phone in advance.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll around Yerevan and take in its unique architectural vistas. Yerevan's architectural character stands out, in that most of the buildings are constructed of various colors of tufa and basalt, both of them products of volcanic nature. This makes Yerevan one of the few cities with no painted buildings.
The city is enshrined with many internationally acclaimed statues by famous sculptors, such Yervand Kochar, Levon Tokmadjian. Most of the statues depict Armenian national heroes or glorify events of national importance. It is advisable to check out the following statues:
Sasuntsi Davit, the symbol of collective Armenian character; Vardan Mamikonian, hero of the battle of Avarayr fought in 451 AD; eighteenth century bard, Sayat Nova and Khachatour Abovian, renowned for revolutionizing modern Armenian language and climbing Mount Ararat in search of Noah's Ark.
In the evening you can relax at the Parisian style cafes of the city or stroll by the singing fountains of the Republic Square.
Armenia is often referred to as a museum in the open air. There are about 40,000 historical monuments spread across Armenia.
In 301 AD, Armenians were the first nation to make Christianity their state religion. As a result, much of Armenian cultural heritage is shaped by symbols and values associated with the Christian faith.
Many of the 40,000 surviving ancient monuments in Armenia are Christian churches and monasteries, most of which were built over demolished pagan temples. Hence, only one pagan temple remains in Armenia, Garni. In building their churches, Armenians made a significant contribution to the world's architectural tradition. They developed the concept of laying out the floor plan of a church in the shape of a cross. This early Christian basilica style was later incorporated into the Gothic architecture of European cathedrals.
Armenian khatchkars are a unique part of the national heritage. Intricately decorated crosses are carved on monolithic rocks. There are over 4,000 khatchkars in Armenia, and every one of them has a singular pattern.
Etchmiadzin is the religious center of Armenia. It is the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Its Cathedral was built in early in the 4 th Century AD on a site of a former pagan temple.
The mountainous terrain of Armenia is rich in mineral water sources, renowned for their healing powers. Although Armenian mineral water from such sources as Jermouk, Arzni, Bejni, Hankavan, and Dilijan is bottled and widely available throughout the country, it is advisable to make the most of their healing powers by visiting the sources themselves, all of them being picturesque and popular resorts.
Dilijan, with its rolling hills and lush forests is ideal for hiking, backpacking and camping. Its beauty has inspired many famous composers and musicians such as Benjamin Britten, Aram Khachaturian, Dimitri Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich, and many others who stayed here at a vacation resort for musicians, in addition to such outstanding Armenian poets as, Hovhannes Toumanian and Avetik Issahakian, and the artist Martiros Sarian, famous for his vivid colors and unique interpretation of Armenian landscapes.
International Institute