Where would you assumption was the very first Christian country on earth? Italy perhaps? Nie! It was Armenia.
This little country in the Caucuses was the very first nation to embrace Christianity as its specify religious beliefs in 301 AD. In fact, Christianity began to spread throughout Armenia soon after the death of Jesus Christ. As a result, there are countless religious buildings as well as artefacts scattered across Armenia.
Armenia has been referred to as an ‘open-air museum of Christianity’, as well as we believe that’s a quite precise description!
One of the primary reasons we travelled to Armenia was to see the stunning monasteries dotted across the Armenian countryside. many of these monasteries date back numerous years as well as are commonly found in remote gorges or atop mountains. Some are even carved into rocky cliff faces.
There are so many monasteries to select from in Armenia, so we have listed our 5 favourites below to get you started. the very best part? entry to all of these monasteries is free!
1. Geghard Monastery
Geghard Monastery is the most accessible monastery in Armenia, found less than one hour’s drive from Yerevan. This rock-hewn monastic complex is an incredible example of the building skills of Armenia’s medieval architects.
The primary buildings were completed in the 13th century, however some sections of the monastery date back as far as 1177 AD. An entire neighborhood of monks were housed in the complex as well as the monks lived, examined as well as worked here. The monastery included a school, scriptorium as well as a library, however likewise held important religious relics. the most famous relic was the spear that injured Christ on the Cross, however this is now missing.
Getting to Geghard Monastery
There are lots of tour business as well as hostels in Yerevan offering fairly priced day trips to Geghard Monastery. You can also catch a minibus from the Gai bus station in Yerevan (near the Mercedes Benz shop) to Garni, then catch a taxi or walk to Geghard. The very first bus leaves Yerevan at 11am as well as costs 300 dram. We hired a cars and truck in Armenia, as well as handled to get two speeding tickets as well as hit a few potholes on the method to Geghard!
2. Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery is set amongst jaw-dropping red cliffs in a remote gorge off the Yerevan-Goris highway. High profile bishops as well as princes were housed in the 13th century monastery. The Mongols raided the monastery in 1238 AD, but monastery has been able to retain its medieval charm. Noravank is a prominent day trip from Yerevan, so get right here early to beat the tourists. Noravank has a little museum too, which has a few medieval artefacts as well as artworks.
Getting to Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery is found 116 kilometres south-east of Yerevan. We suggest visiting Noravank Monastery on a day tour from Yerevan or with your own car. Marshrutky (minivans) from Yerevan or Yeghednadzor can likewise decrease you off at the turn off just outside Areni (at Edem Restaurant). From there you can walk or hitchhike the 6km to the monastery.
3. Tatev Monastery
The Tatev Monastery is one of the most far-flung monasteries in Armenia. As a result, many travellers unfortunately avoid this stunning spot. however we promise it is worth the drive! The monastery is set high upon a clifftop overlooking a significant valley. This working monastery was developed in the 9th century as well as has an eerie medieval feel. Monks still online here, so if you’re lucky you will see them dressed in full garb wandering the grounds.
Getting to Tatev Monastery
Tatev Monastery is found 250 kilometres south-east of Yerevan, however the journey can take as much as 6 hours. The simplest method to see Tatev is by tour or your own car.
You can likewise catch a mashrutka from Yerevan’s Kilikia bus station to Goris (one per day, 3000 dram), or a shared taxi. most people hire a taxi from Goris to the ‘Wings of Tatev’ cable cars and truck in Halidzor village (22 kilometres). The cable cars and truck runs between Halidzor as well as Tatev Monastery (5000 dram return). There are likewise a couple of mashrutkas to Tatev that leave from the market on Syuniki St in Goris. inspect with your guesthouse for present timetables. We likewise satisfied a couple of backpackers who had effectively hitchhiked around the area.
4. Sevanavank Monastery
The hilltop monastery of Sevanavank is not the biggest in Armenia, however it probably has the very best views. The monastery is located on a peninsula just north of Sevan, as well as offers panoramic views of Sevan Lake as wellas the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Princess Mariam established the church in 874 AD. She was a true romantic, having developed numerous churches across Armenia in memory of her late husband. By the 19th century, errant monks were being reformed at the isolated monastery.
Sevanavank was at first developed on an island, however after the artificial draining of Lake Sevan during the Soviet age the island ended up being a peninsula. perhaps not isolated sufficient for errant monks any type of more!
Getting to Sevanavank Monastery
Sevanavank Monastery is found 82 kilometres north-east of Yerevan. There are lots of tour business as well as hostels in Yerevan organising day trips to Lake Sevan, which include Sevanavank Monastery. You can likewise catch a marshrutka from Yerevan’s northern bus station to Sevan. show up by 10am to reserve your seat. From Sevan, you can catch a taxi to the monastery (1000-1500 dram).
5. Sanahin Monastery
The Sanahin Monastery is found in the lovely Debed Canyon. The monastery is in a remote part of northern Armenia, however had a significant influence on medieval design across the country. Sanahin is now a UNESCO world Heritage site because of its architectural importance.
The monastery was developed during the Byzantine age between the 10th as well as 13th centuries, together with close-by Haghpat Monastery. It served as an important centre of discovering during medieval times. As a result, you can still discover medieval libraries as well as trick hiding locations for manuscripts in the complex.
We suggest paying a little tip for the official tour that is offered. The guide will provide you a sneak peek into spaces that are usually locked, as well as can offer a interesting insight into the history of Sanahin.
Getting to Sanahin Monastery
Sanahin is found near the village of Alaverdi in the Debed Canyon, 165 kilometres north of Yerevan. We drove to Alaverdi in our reliable Nissan Micra hire car – huge mistake. regional officials have closed the ‘main road’ for roadwork (expected to be completed in 2018), which needs a extremely rough as well as long detour. perhaps a great location to hone your 4WD-ing skills, however not the very best for driving small hatchbacks.
Your best choice is to catch a marshrutka. Marshrutka depart Yerevan’s Kilikia bus station everyday for Alaverdi. If you can’t discover a direct connection, you can likewise catch a marshrutka to Vanadzor then catch one more to Alaverdi.
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