Top Armenia hotels
Sponsored Links
Walking between the ruins of Zvartnots, you can hardly imagine that once an impressive three-tiered circular building stood here with a immense dome. Though ruined, Zvartnots is considered as the masterpiece of Armenian church architecture. Together with the cathedral and churches of Echmiadzin Zvartnots became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, because its demonstration of the evolution and development of the Armenian central-domed cross-hall type of church.
On our way back from Echmiadzin to Yerevan we visited the ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral. This church, the Church of Guardian Angels, was built in the period from 641 to 661. Catholicos Nerses II sponsored the construction of this church.The church, supposed to be one of the most beautiful in the world, was destroyed by an earthquake in 903. The church is never restored.
Echmiadzin is not only a very interesting place, it is also nice to sit or to walk around in its peaceful green surroundings and read or hear about its legend. This is the legend of Echmiadzin. King Trdates became mad, after he killed the Christian virgin Hripsime, who refused to marry him.The Christian prisoner Gregory cured the king. The king converted himself to Christianity. In a dream Jesus showed Gregory the place where to build the church. Echmiadzin means 'descent of the only begotten'
The belltower of the cathedral is added 100 years later, in 1658. The belltower is richly adorned in the "Armenian Oriental Style". This style is inspired by the Persian and European classical styles. The belltower has an eight-sided dome and abundantly carved arches and pediments. The octagon was a favourite form for domes. Eight (the first number after the seven, connected with celestial life) was considered as the symbol of life, the new life after baptism. The mantels have painted carvings, depicting birds like pelicans, ducks, geese, falcons, peacocks and storks and mammals like lion, boar, unicorn, goat, bison and elephant.
The entrance to the Echmiadzin Cathedral is amazingly beautiful by its very detailed ornamentation. For me it was the most striking part of the cathedral and Echmiadzin.If you enlarge the picture you can see the colourfully carved and painted details.
We visited Echmiadzin in 1986. It's great to hear, that fourteen years later in 2000 the cathedral and churches of Echmiadzin became an UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the archaeological remains at Zvartnots, which we visited on our way back to Yerevan. Echmiadzin and Zvartnots came on the UNESCO list, because they ''graphically illustrate the evolution and development of the Armenian central-domed cross-hall type of church, which exerted a profound influence on architectural and artistic development in the region. The developments in ecclesiastical architecture represented in an outstanding manner by the churches at Echmiatsin had a profound influence on church design over a wide region. The churches at Echmiatsin vividly depict the spirituality and the innovatory artistic achievement of the Armenian Church''.
Echmiadzin, capital of Armenia from 180 AD to 340 AD, became the spiritual center of Armenia's Christians after King Trdates and his country converted to Christianity. In 303 AD St Gregory founded the cathedral In Echmiadzin and at that moment this place became holy. Many people visit the famous cathedral and the monastaries in the city of Echmiadzin and many students study at the theology school in the monastary to become a priest.
The first monastery in Echmiadzin is built in the 5th century at the place which is told to St. Gregory the Illuminator by Christ in a dream. This first monastery has several buildings around the main church, the Ejmiatsin cathedral. In these buildings the theology students are studying . In the main church you can see manuscripts, jewelled crosses, vestments and chalices. It's prohibited to make pictures inside.
St. Hripsime is said to be one of the nuns from Rome been sent to Armenia to convert the people. Hripsime is killed by King Trdates III after she refused to marry him to remain true to her faith.This restored St Hripsime church, dedicated to her, is originally built in 618 AD to replace a chapel at the site, where is said she is killed. The pink church is a cross-dome church with four apses. We visited the church and the room with St. Hripsime's grave.
Near the Cascade in Yerevan a huge entertainment complex was constructed and planned. This complex was for a large part underground. When we walked around the building we saw a lot of small cupolas in the grass. Also we had a good view at the architecture of the building with it huge round forms.It looked like this huge complex or parts of it are not completed after the break of the Soviet Union.
Hotel Meg Yerevan
1 Review and 53 Opinions I decided to give this place a try. Normally I would opt for a cheaper option but due to the short...
Nur Hotel Tsaghkadzor
1 Review and 0 Opinions Nur Hotel is an absolutely amazing place to stay! It's neat and clean, and a perfect place for...
Marriott Armenia Hotel Yerevan Yerevan
3 Reviews and 78 Opinions I guess if you are staying here you probably do not need VT much as you will be able to afford a...
Reviews and photos of Armenia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Armenia sightseeing.
More Cities in Armenia
More Regions in Armenia
Q: Plan to travel next fall in Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. What is your opinion of renting cars in these countries and driving?
A: I can't speak specifically for renting in the other 2, but renting in Azerbaijan is more hassle than it's worth. Rental cars are expensive, $70+ per day. On top of that,...
Read 3 Replies
Sponsored Links
