Armenia is a small country that doesn’t find itself on
the list of popular tourist destinations. But for tourists who like to explore
nature, learn about history, drink and eat delicious food, Armenia is the right
choice. It’s a rustic ancient land with amazing countryside where people take
great pride in their traditions, culture, religion and cuisine.
Armenia is getting more attention since Kim Kardashian’s
recent visit. She came to visit her ancestral homeland and pay respect to the
Armenian genocide.
There are many popular places to visit in Armenia, but as
always, there are some hidden beauties not many people know about.
Follow us through this wonderful journey and discover the
15 best-kept secrets in Armenia.
1 – KARAHUNGE
Karahunge Stones Armenia
This place is also called the Armenian Stonehenge.
[source]
Karahenge Armenia Stone
The holes were drilled on most of the stones and pointed
out to different stars. [source]
This temple was built a few thousand years ago to honor
the sun god- Ari. It is the world’s oldest astronomical observatory and is
older than Stonehenge in England and Egyptian pyramids. It consists of 223
stones, many of which have small holes pointing at a different direction in
space. Surprisingly, not many people have heard of this ancient place, making
it a real hidden gem of Armenia.
2 – THE GÖK (BLUE) MOSQUE
Blue Mosque Yerevan
The name came from the blue tiles on the mosque. [source]
Blue mosque Yerevan Entrance
The mosque is hidden by apartment buildings surrounding
it. [source]
The blue mosque is the only remaining mosque in Yerevan,
Armenia’s capital. The name blue came from blue tiles at the entrance and the
exterior of the mosque. Evan though it covers more than 70,000 sq ft of land in
the center of Yerevan and has a big inner courtyard, this place is pretty much
hidden by the surrounding buildings.
3 – ARENI-1 CAVE COMPLEX
Areni Cave Armenia
This cave complex is an important archeological site. [source]
The oldest shoe Armenia Areni Cave Complex
The oldest shoe ever found was discovered in Areni Cave.
[source]
If you find yourself in Armenia, you must take a tour in
the Areni Cave Complex that lies along the Arpa River. What makes this place
special are the Copper Age artifacts found there, such as the oldest shoe,
brain, and wine press in the world! This wine press is the earliest proof of
wine-making ever found. Since they were
discovered in 2010, they really make this place one of the best-kept secrets.
4 – ALPHABET MONUMENT
Armenia alphabet monument
The monument is dedicated to the Armenian alphabet.
[source]
These giant stone letters are dedicated to Mesrop
Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet. They were set near his resting
place in 2005 when the alphabet celebrated its 1600th birthday. His system has
been used ever since, and each of 39 letters has its own free-standing statue
in a large field near the village of Artashavan.
5 – GARNI GORGE
Garni Gorge Walls Armenia Cliff walls of Garni Gorge. [source]
A guy climbing Garni Gorge walls Climbers enjoy this natural wonder. [source]
Garni Temple is a famous place to visit in Armenia, but
along the sides of the gorge are lesser-known
cliff walls with hexagonal basalt columns. This part of the gorge is
called the Symphony of the Stones because they look just like organ piano
pipes. They were formed over the years by the river below. This place is a
heaven for cliff climbers.
6 – UMBRELLA WATERFALLS
Umbrella waterfalls Armenia This waterfall looks just like an umbrella. [source]
Not many people know about Hunot Gorge, an amazing
natural beauty where you can find caves, forests and umbrella waterfalls. The hike down to the waterfalls is a long
one, up to 2 hours, but you can always make a stop and rest at the villages
along the road.
7 – ARMENIAN ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS
Armenian illuminated manuscript An example of Armenian manuscript. [source]
Matenadaran building -where the manuscripts are held.
Matenadaran building
is where the manuscripts are held. [source]
They are a form of medieval art and Byzantine tradition.
Around 2.500 of these manuscripts are preserved at the Matenadaran, Armenian
institute of ancient manuscripts. The building itself is quite recognizable in
Yerevan, but not many people are aware of what lies inside.
8 – VERNISSAGE FLEA MARKET
Yerevan flea market different carpets This diverse market offers many traditional carpets.
[source]
A part with spices on Yerevan Flea Market A part of the market with spices. [source]
Vernissage Flea Market in Yerevan is one of the best open
markets in the world. This is the place where you can find basically
everything. From ceramics, carved wood, paintings, jewelry to other things such
as carpets, dolls, books. This place is a heaven for bargain hunters. Colorful
Vernissage market is open just on weekends, so if you stay in Yerevan, make
sure to visit this diverse market.
9 – WINE REPUBLIC
A girl holding wine in Wine Republic Yerevan You can choose what to drink from the shelves.
Outside the Wine Republic Yerevan Try some of the best dessert wines here. [source]
Located on 2 Tamanyan Street in Yerevan, as the name
says, this place has an incredible wine offer, comfortable and warm atmosphere,
and delicious food. You don’t have to order your wine from the menu, you can
browse the bottles yourself and choose what to drink. You can try some of the
best Armenian dessert wines here.
10 – CRYSTALS OF REFRAIN
Crystals of Refrain Stone In Armenia
The stones are a part of an art installation. [source]
A girl reading Crystals of Refrain Stone in Armenia Different stories are carved on the stones. [source]
Kcymaerxthaere is the name of the project made by a
geographer Eames Demetrios. It is basically a parallel universe the author has
created and this installation is home to one of the key stories. The story is
carved on 12 different stones, and even it
can be found in other countries, the installation in Armenia stands as
the most elaborate one.
11 – LOVERS PARK
Lovers park Yerevan
This park is a calm and quiet place in Yerevan. [source]
Lovers Park Yerevan statue The statue was made by Jean-Michele Othoniel. [source]
Lovers park is a beautiful, quiet and charming place in
Yerevan. If you want to enjoy nature, this is always a good place to wander in.
You can take a hot cup of coffee and read the morning paper sitting on a bench
in this calm and peaceful place. This park is a quiet and romantic getaway.
12 – JEAN-PAUL EXISTENTIAL CAFÉ
Jean Paul cafe Yerevan
If you want to have an intelligent conversation and enjoy
good wine, this is the place to visit. [source]
Jean Paul cafe fireplace Yerevan In this cafe you can see different art exhibitions.
[source]
Inspired by Jean-Paul Sartre’s words “Man is condemned to
be free”, this place in Yerevan gives its visitors the opportunity to express
their opinion, drink, get noisy, and have fun. It is a combination of art-café
and a pub. It’s a place for friendly gatherings accompanied with good wine.
13 – LEVON’S DEVINE UNDERGROUND
Levon underground cave Armenia All the caves were made using just hand tools. [source]
One part of Levon underground caves There are several underground rooms. [source]
Levon was a builder who dug a series of caves under his
house in Arinj, using nothing but hand tools. The idea started when his wife
asked him to make a potato cellar. He worked every day and made stunning
stairs, halls, and rooms. After his death, his wife opened a small museum to
honor the work of her husband.
14 – SERGEI PARADJANOV MUSEUM
Paintings in Sergei Paradjanov museum Some of the art made by Sergei Paradjanov during his
imprisonment. [source]
Sergei Paradjanov museum Yerevan A recreated room of his flat. [source]
This museum is a tribute to world renown Armenian
filmmaker of the 20th century. Persecuted by the Soviets, he made many
screenplays and librettos in prison, all of which you can see in the museum.
There are also many collages and artworks he made when he was banned from
filmmaking for 15 years. There is also a recreated room of his flat in Tbilisi.
15 – WINES AND COGNAC
Karasi wine is one of the finest Armenian wines. [source]
Ararat cognac Armenia / Ararat cognac is something you should definitely try when
visiting Armenia. [source]
Armenia produces some of the best dessert and cherry
wines in the world, like red dry Areni wine and Karasi wine. You probably
didn’t know that, did you? Also, in the 1900 Yerevan Wine & Brandy Factory
got an official permission to use the word cognac and since then Armenia is
home to some of the finest brands like “Ararat”, “Great Valley”, “Mané” and
“Armenika”.
THE MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN ARMENIA
If you decide to visit Armenia, these are the places you
should definitely see as well, as suggested on WaveUpTravel.
1 – KHOR VIRAP MONASTERY
Near Mount Ararat, is one of the most popular
destinations in Armenia. This is the place where Centuries back St. Gregory the
Illuminator, the Baptist of Armenia, was imprisoned for 13 years. He restored
sanity to King Tiridates III which caused both the king and the entire country
to convert to Christianity, making Armenia the first country in the world to be
declared a Christian nation. You can see the church and the pit where Gregory
was imprisoned and witness many cultural events, performances, weddings.
Khor Virap monastery Armenia /This monastery plays an important part in Armenian
history. [source]
Church in Khor Virap Armenia
In this church is a pit where Gregory the Illuminator was
held for 13 years. [source]
2 – TATEV MONASTERY
Dates back to 9th-century and it is fortified among
Armenian cliffs. It was built on an ancient pagan worship site and later turned
into the most important Armenian medieval university that played the notable
role in preserving Armenia’s culture. Apart from centuries-old structures you
can also see a pear tree planted in the
churchyard around 110 years ago. To get
there, you can enjoy the unique beautiful landscape riding in the world’s
longest cable car.
Tatev monastery Armenia Take the world’s longest cable car ride to see this
monastery. [source]
Tatev monastery Armenia Ceiling Ceiling in Tatev monastery. [source]
3 – THE COMPLEX OF GEGHARD MONASTERY
The monastery founded in the 4th century and was carved
into the side of the mountain. This complex has significant historical and
cultural value and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the
complex, you can see many small caves, chapels, carvings and enjoy in the peace
and tranquillity of a beautiful rocky
mountain landscape.
Geghard monastery Armenia / One part of the complex was carved into the mountain.
[source]
Inside Geghard monastery Armenia Inside of the church. [source]
Columns and ceiling of Geghard monastery / Columns and ceiling of the Geghard monastery. [source]
Rock-cut chamber in Geghard complex / Jamatun was the first rock-cut chamber in Geghard
complex. [source]
4 – TEMPLE OF GARNI
Garni was a pagan temple dedicated to the sun goddess
Mithra. It was built in a classical Hellenistic style, and it resembles the Greek
Parthenon. The entire temple is a reflection of sacred geometry with symbolic
meanings behind its structure. The altar, the ornaments, the stairs and columns
were made according to geometrical laws. You can see famous Roman Baths with
mosaic floor and witness the amazing natural setting of this ancient temple.
Garni Temple Armenia /Garni temple looks just like the Parthenon in Greece.
[source]
Colums Garni Temple Armenia
It was designed to follow the rules of geometry. [source]
5 – LAKE SEVAN
Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and one of the
largest freshwater mountain lakes in the world. The name Sevan actually means
black. There is a medieval monastery located in what used to be an island, and
now is a part of Sevan peninsula. The area includes many beaches, campgrounds
and picnic areas where you can go skiing, windsurfing, and sailing.
Sevan lake Armenia / This huge lake is a perfect place for camping. [source]
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