Armenia
country
Armenia is the eldest Christian state in the world. Numerous cultural monuments, beautiful mountains and good wine make the country attractive for tourists
Armenia is the oldest Christian state on the planet. Beautiful mountain scenery, numerous cultural and historical monuments, good wine make Armenia interesting and attractive to tourists. Armenia has no outlet to the sea. It is located in a mountainous area between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. 90% of the territory of the state lies at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak – Aragats, an extinct volcano (4090 m), is located near biblical Mount Ararat. The largest lake Sevan, is situated to the east of Yerevan, at an altitude of 1900 m. Its area is 940 sq. km.
Armenia was Christianized as early as the 3 rd century, the country was repeatedly conquered by the Romans, Persians, Arabs, Mongols and Russian. Every era left its monuments in the country. Therefore, many travelers believe that the country is one of the most attractive in Europe.
By number of museum exhibitions, Yerevan is able to compete with any capital of the world. There is a vast museum complex, which includes museums (the Museum of Literature, Art History Museum etc), art gallery, the museum of the Revolution and the Small Hall of Philharmonic Society. In addition, an interesting museum of the history of Yerevan, the Museum of Russian Art, the Museum of Ethnography, the house-museum of the famous composer Aram Khachaturian, the house-museum of the famous Armenian painter Martiros Saryan, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Folk Art and many others. We must also mention the Matenadaran, in which collection there are more than 17,000 of very valuable Middle Ages manuscripts. In the city there is a great number of churches and cathedrals. Attract attention the main temple of Armenian Gregorian Church and the residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians Echmiadzin, as well as Kecharis monastery.
At 15 kilometers to the east from Yerevan is impregnable fortress of Garni, the former summer residence of Armenian kings. A 30 km to the north-west from the capital is the town of Ashtarak, home to Karmravor church. Nearby, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, stands the fortress Amberd, former ancestral domain of Pahlavuni Princes, one of a few remaining castles of the country.
South-east of the country is beautiful for its magnificent mountain landscapes. Mountains and valleys, small canyons, rapid rivers, small lakes and amazing settlements are located on the slopes. There are also such famous monuments of the history as Shatinvank monastery, S. Zorats cathedral, the ruins of Galidzor castle, the Noravank Abbey with burial-vault of Orbelian family, cave settlements of Bartsravane, Keres, Khndzoresk and Shinuhayr, Jermuk resort with its famous warm mineral springs and a protected plane-tree grove in the valley of the river Tsav.
The symbol of the country is a cross-stone - Armenian cross. Such stone crosses, symbolizing sacrifices that brought this ancient people, are in abundance all over the country. Armenian cross can be found on temple fences, old cemeteries, and even in courtyards of houses. Numerous surprising evidence of past epochs, located throughout Armenia, undoubtedly, are worthy of attention of tourists and travelers.
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