Sightseeing in Armenia
by aceinland · Published December 1, 2021 · Updated December 8, 2021
Take a round trip through Armenia, located in the Caucasus mountains in the Middle East! Visit the largest cities of Armenia on a group tour such as the capital Yerevan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Etchmiadzin and Hrasdan, but also the many sights that this cultural land has to offer – this includes the monastery Khorvirap in front of Mount Ararat. Get to know this small landlocked country on a study trip!
Matenadaran
The Matenadaran Institute, which is often called Matenadaran for short and stands for library, is known as the central archive in Armenia. Numerous old and Armenian manuscripts can be found here. A very good example of this is the cover of the Etchmiadzin Gospel Book from the 6th century.
As early as 1962, the central archive was named after the well-known developer of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots. Numerous well-known writings are stored here, but also commemorative coins and other treasures that mean a lot to the country. About 20 years ago, in 1997, the entire collection of valuable manuscripts and the evidence of culture in the archive was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourists can now expect 17,000 manuscripts in the State Archives. You can take a tour of the rooms and have everything explained to you in detail on a guided tour. In this way one also learns that most of the manuscripts go back to the Armenian church in Echmiadzin. In 1939, after the collection went to Moscow and was expropriated, it reappeared in Yerevan. Only 14 years later, today's neo-Armenian building, in which the writings were housed, was built by the house architect Mark Grigoryan, who also came from the city of Yerevan. They wanted to carve it into a rock to be safe from nuclear bombs, but this meant that nowadays it suffers from water ingress and has to be protected. This building was built for 12 years, until it was finally completed in 1957 and opened for tourism. The collection also includes very special examples of the miniatures of Armenia. Almost a relic of the country is the Etchmiadzin Gospel, which dates back to 989 and was wrapped in an ivory envelope in the 6th century. Overall, the central archive is one of the most important sights and collections in the country of Armenia, which is lovingly cared for. You try to keep it as good as possible and present it to the people of the world. Century was wrapped in an ivory envelope. Overall, the central archive is one of the most important sights and collections in the country of Armenia, which is lovingly cared for. You try to keep it as good as possible and present it to the people of the world. Century was wrapped in an ivory envelope. Overall, the central archive is one of the most important sights and collections in the country of Armenia, which is lovingly cared for. You try to keep it as good as possible and present it to the people of the world.
One of the highest lakes in the world
Lake Sevan is the largest body of water in Armenia and also in the Caucasus. The locals affectionately call it "their sea". The lake is around 56 kilometers wide and around 78 long. The Sevansee is around 1,900 meters above sea level and is therefore one of the highest lakes in the world. It receives its water from around 30 rivers, but only the Hrazdan flows out of it again. Only in midsummer do the water temperatures invite you to take a bath. Active vacationers can rent pedal boats or row boats. The lake is about 60 kilometers north of the capital Yerevan. The best way to get there is via the M4 expressway.
The Sevankloster is one of the outstanding sights on the lake
Lake Sevan is located in the Armenian province of Gegharkhunikh. The journey from Yerevan alone is an experience. The road leads along beautiful landscapes, with mountains rising steeply, the mightiest of which is the Aragats. The obsidian rocks gleam black in the distance. One of the outstanding sights on Lake Sevan is the Sevankloster, which is located on a peninsula. The venerable monastery complex dates from the 9th century. Today a seminar and a monastery school are integrated into it, in which the priests are trained. Three churches belong to the monastery complex. In the northeast is the oldest of the churches, the Apostle Church, whose origins go back to the year 874.
The beaches around the Sevan monastery are the "Copacabana of Armenia"
In summer, when the water of Lake Sevan has reached somewhat more pleasant temperatures, many bathers flock to the shores of the peninsula. The bathing beach is affectionately called "Copacabana of Armenia" by the Armenians. Children are happy when they discover small shells in the fine sand. Snack bars and beach cafes invite you to linger and enjoy. Another attraction on the lake is Hajravankh Monastery. It consists of an 11th century church, a chapel and a gavith. To the south of the monastery near the village of Noratus there are cross stones on a huge area, the number of which goes into the hundreds.
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