What is so interesting in Armenia?

When I am asked what it feels like to live in Armenia, I cannot answer immediately. Not because I do not know the answer but because there are so many that I do not know to which of them I should give priority…

Living in Armenia is pride and responsibility at the same time. I am proud that I live here, on the crossroad of Eastern and Western civilizations. At the same time I have the sense of responsibility to preserve my country and introduce it to the whole world. After all, there are not many countries in the world where you can find the 1st Christian church built in the 4th century, where hospitable people live who are always nice to their guests and do their best to make visitors people feel like they are at home.

Armenia is a small country and it is hard to find it from the first look at the map. But it is a diverse country where one can find diversity and something memorable in every city and even every village of this country.

The first city where people usually go when they are in Armenia is Yerevan. They will probably be shown the Matenadaran where ancient manuscripts are kept, or Opera House which is the symbol of culture or the Republic Square which is the heart of our city, heart of our country. But there are so many beautiful places outside Yerevan.

Though I have lived all my life in Yerevan and it is my home, I find much more interesting things outside of Yerevan, in the proud mountains of our country. The monastery of Tatev, Goshavank, Haghartsin, Karahunch, Zvartnots are the places where you feel the breath of centuries. Armenia is a place where everybody will find something familiar or amazing. It is the place where you always find new answers to your questions and new questions without answers. It is the place where you hear the wind speaking and the mountains whispering…

What it feels like living in Armenia?

When I am asked what it feels like to live in Armenia, I cannot answer immediately. Not because I do not know the answer but because there are so many that I do not know to which of them I should give priority…

Living in Armenia is pride and responsibility at the same time. I am proud that I live here, on the crossroad of Eastern and Western civilizations. At the same time I have the sense of responsibility to preserve my country and introduce it to the whole world. After all, there are not many countries in the world where you can find the 1st Christian church built in the 4th century, where hospitable people live who are always nice to their guests and do their best to make visitors people feel like they are at home.

Armenia is a small country and it is hard to find it from the first look at the map. But it is a diverse country where one can find diversity and something memorable in every city and even every village of this country.

The first city where people usually go when they are in Armenia is Yerevan. They will probably be shown the Matenadaran where ancient manuscripts are kept, or Opera House which is the symbol of culture or the Republic Square which is the heart of our city, heart of our country. But there are so many beautiful places outside Yerevan. Though I have lived all my life in Yerevan and it is my home, I find much more interesting things outside of Yerevan, in the proud mountains of our country. The monastery of Tatev, Goshavank, Haghartsin, Karahunch, Zvartnots are the places where you feel the breath of centuries. Armenia is a place where everybody will find something familiar or amazing. It is the place where you always find new answers to your questions and new questions without answers. It is the place where you hear the wind speaking and the mountains whispering…

History of Armenia

Armenian history dates back by thousand years, to the Stone Age, the Paleolithic Era. First Ancestral Armenian Empire, Urartu appeared in 1250 B.C. Soon it became one the rivals of Assyrians and Babylonians. The first Armenian state was founded in 190 B.C. after the destruction of the Seleucid Empire. At the peak of its power, it extended over the territories that now are eastern Turkey. Later it became part of the Roman Empire, adopting its political, philosophical and religious views.

In 301 A.D Armenian were the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion. In the 6th century Armenian Church gained independence from Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The Armenian Church played a crucial role in preserving the Armenian identity and unity through centuries. Armenia was ruled by Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, Turks and others between 4th and 19th centuries.

The first Armenian republic was established in 1918 and existed until 1920. Later, communists came to power and in it became part of the Soviet Union. On September 23, 1991 Armenia declared its independence fro0m the Soviet Union. Now it is an independent republic, the home of more than 10 million Armenians that live all around the world.

The largest and highest lake in the Transcaucasus, Sevan holds a special place in the heart of the land-locked Armenian nation. With its cool azure waters and fresh mountain air, it a popular place to which Armenians escape in the summer when the heat of Yerevan becomes oppressive. It is a popular holiday resort with numerous beaches, hotels, restaurants and sports facilities dotted around the lake. Lake Sevan is famous for its 'ishkan' trout and other freshwater fish.
In recent times Lake Sevan has shrunk due to the tapping of the Razdan river, used for hydroelectricity and irrigation.
Sevan monastery built in 874 on a small peninsula overlooking the lake, is a wonderful example of Armenian architecture and is especially picturesque. In the spring the mountainsides are covered in a carpet of wild flowers.

In the valley of Biblical Mount Ararat lies the beautiful ancient city of Yerevan, the 12th capital of Armenia. Yerevan was built around the city-fortress of Erebuni established by the King Argishti the First the king of Urartu in the year 782 BC.The ruins of Erebuni still stand in the southeastern part of the city.
A large part of the Erebuni fortification had been reconstructed by 1968 when the city celebrated the 2750th anniversary of its foundation. The well-preserved walls permitted the complete reproduction of the layout of Erebuni.
Yerevan is situated in the north-eastern part of the Ararat Valley. Mounts Aragats, Azhdaak, and Ararat can be seen from the city. With its rugged terrain, Yerevan displays a 400m disparity between its lowest and highest points. The city is divided by Hrazdan River that flows in a picturesque canyon.
The climate in Yerevan is dry and sharply varied with temperatures in summer peaking over 35 C and falling below -15 C in winter.
Yerevan is a cultural city with a great number of museums, theaters and concert halls.

Some people don't even know where Armenia is situated on the map. We can help you discover it!Armenia is a very diverse country often with a history which is replete with a lot of treasures. It is a land of stark contrasts and home to a resilient, industrious people with great love for the arts and sciences, thus making Sightseeing in Armenia a very attractive affair. Armenians are well-known for their hospitality and visitors will find a pleasant and friendly atmosphere everywhere they go.
Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. It is a cultural, economical, political and scientific center of Armenia. Yerevan is located in a mountainous area on the Hrazdan River. There are many theatres, museums and monuments in Yerevan. It's impossible to imagine now Yerevan without Matenadaran, Opera and Ballet theatre, Youth Palace, Sport and Concert Complex and National Academy of Sciences.
Amongst the monuments, the best is monument to the victims of Genocide which stands high above the city in the beautiful park called Martlet's Fortress. The capital city is the center for all Sightseeing in Armenia, compared to the rest of the country. The cultural life is great in the capital city and there is a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and bars. There is a wide choice of musical escapades in Armenia. There are a few known orchestras playing in Yerevan. People look very modern and while sipping an espresso in a bar in Yerevan, you can imagine that you were in San Francisco.
The most important part of Sightseeing in Armenia is the travel to the Erebuni Fortress which dates back from the 8th century B.C .The genocide museum also along with the memorial is located at Tsitsernakaberd, is a big tourist draw and there is also a sports complex is the same vicinity. The sports complex in the vicinity is named as Hamalir. Zangu River passes through the city and there are several new restaurants and eateries on its banks which is a hit with the tourists.