Architectural monuments that have reached us from the depth of centuries and retained a stamp of old times, can tell us about the history and culture of the country and the people that created them. Armenia is very rich of ancient temples, monasteries and other monuments of the old times: that is why it is called “a museum in the open air”. Each monument is unique and inimitable (many of them date back to the first century of our era. Monasteries of Medieval Armenia can be considered a peculiar architectural school. Having been built during centuries (Sanahin and Haghpat were built during 4 centuries), the monuments were founded gradually, they grew like a living organism. They were often set up on inaccessible cliffs, sometimes digged out on rocks. In addition, harmony was always maintained with the surrounding sight: strong lines and proportions of monasteries and temples perfectly correspond to sombre mountain ranges and infinite sky. Here are some of them (information about all sightseeing in Armenia is not presented here, but it will be continually renewed).


Ararat Region

Abovyan

The Pagan temple Garni

It was built in the first century of A.D. According to specialists, it is considered a pearl among the pagan temples of the Old East. During its existence for long centuries, the temple met a lot of invaders but none of them dared profane this masterpiece. In addition, even during the adoption of Christianity in Armenia the temple was not destroyed: only the statues of pagan gods were demolished. The temple exists up to now which is hidden among as ancient mountains as it is itself.


Ejmiatsin




Ejmiatsin is the ancient capital of Armenia or Armenian “Vatican”, that is to say, the residence of the Catholic Church, the head of Armenian churches. The Ejmiatsin Cathedral is one of the oldest cruciform temples (it dates back to 301-303 A.D.). There are also many monasteries, temples and spiritual seminaries here.







The temple Zvartnots is a temple and a palace (641-662). It is located in the surroundings of Ejmiatsin. It was ruined by the earthquake in 925-1000 and was not reconstructed. Gradually a huge hill appeared in its place, but the temple was excavated by a monk from Ejmiatsin in the beginning of the XX century. Now the ruins of the temple and the “Zvartnots” museum stand here.





Ashtarak District
Byurakan
The Byurakan monastery is of the 13th century, which is located in the south of Byurakan. Here is also located Astrophysical Observatory.

Yeghvard
Yeghvard is one of the oldest inhabited districts, which is rich of precious architectural statues of different eras. In the centre of the village Yeghvard there stands the church-cemetery of St. Astvatsatsin, which was built in 1301. It is a three-storey church-belfry. The second floor of the church has nearly a cruciform plan, a niche with stalactite endings instead of semicircular cavities. Stone stairs are made only at the entrance to the second floor, which are supported by wooden staircase. The three-storey church St. Astvatsatsin in Yeghvard is the most well kept and one of the best among those of its kind in Armenia. The facade of the church is distinguished by its exceptional richness of decoration.

The church Zoravar is situated two kilometres far from Yeghvard. According to historians, it was built by the Armenian lord Grigor Mamikonyan in 661-685. The furnishing of the church includes window cornices, which are decorated by geometrical and nature like ornament, and semi columns in the depth of external niches which enrich the magnificent appearance of this not very large monument...(more)