Armenia

Overview

Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստան Hayastan ) is a landlocked country in the Caucasus . Once the centre of an empire, this former Soviet republic straddles the line between Europe and Asia. Armenia has a rich, ancient history, and it is most famously known for being the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as the state religion.

Armenia has been around for at least 3,000 years. Armenians have historically inhabited the "Armenian Highlands", a vast section of mountains and valleys across eastern Anatolia and the Southern Caucasus. It is here that the biblical mountain of Ararat (and today's eponymous cognac brand) can be found. Armenia is the world's first Christian country, ever since the king officially adopted Christianity in 301 AD.

Various vassal states (Hittites, Hayasa, etc.), principalities, Armenian kingdoms of Orontids, Artaxiads, and Arsacids rose and fell in different parts of this highland during history. They were unified once, just before the time of Christ, in the empire of Tigran the Great (95-55 BC), which stretched from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea.

Much of the region's history has since been spent under the dominion of whichever great power was à la mode at the time: Romans , Byzantines , Mongols , Ottomans , Persians , Russians and Soviets have all come and gone. These empires often fought their wars on Armenian territory, using Armenian soldiers. Despite rarely being politically independent, Armenians have consistently kept their language and their church. Its location on the silk road allowed Armenians to forge a link in the great network of merchant communities that extended from Singapore and Malaysia to Venice and Amsterdam.

The modern independent state of Armenia only comprises part of the traditional Armenian lands. It includes much of what was historically known as Eastern Armenia , while the historical Western Armenia , in which Mount Ararat , the holiest site in the world for Armenians, is located, is today part of Turkey . Western Armenia was largely ethnically cleansed of its Armenian population during the Armenian Genocide .

Sights and landscapes

Armenia lies at the root of the Christian faith, as it is known as the first country that was evangelized by two of Jesus' own disciples. Today, there is still a wealth of religious heritage to see. Beautiful churches and monasteries are omnipresent, and some are up to 1700 years old. A few of the most important ones are listed on Unesco's World Heritage list. To start, there is the monastery of Geghard , carved out of a mountain slope and dramatically situated between the stunning cliffs of the Azat river gorge . Once you are there, the Garni Temple with its Roman temple is just a quick stop downriver. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Vagharshapat is the headquarters of the Armenian Church and has parts dating back to the 5th century, making it considered the oldest cathedral in the world. The Monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat are just across the tops of the Debed Canyon from each other, which is full of great hiking trails. Both date back to the 10th century. The 7th century Zvartnots Cathedral is now in ruins, but considered of great archeological value.

If you are up for some of Armenia's oldest churches, consider the ancient basilicas at Yereruyk, Odzun, Byurakan or Aparan. Some heritage sights sit in beautiful valleys. The monastery of Noravank is a good sight in the lovely brick-red Amaghu Canyon, while the monasteries of Tatev and Tatevi Anapat sit in the Vorotan Valley – a gorgeous area with great landscapes and dotted with churches and abandoned cliff-side villages.

Unlisted but surely beautiful is the monastery of Khor Virap . It offers great views of Mount Ararat which is in Turkey, but is nonetheless seen on the Armenian coat of arms.

Culture and food

Armenian fruits and vegetables are special. One should definitely try them and will never forget the taste of Armenian apricot, peach, grapes, pomegranate, etc. Especially the watermelons in Armenia and neighboring countries with similar altitude and climate are of superior taste.

Armenian bread is very tasty. There is a wide range of different types of bread, including black, white lavash (a soft, thin flatbread), and matnaqash. Variants of Georgian shotis puri are widely available as well, since both countries have adopted the torne / tonir baking oven centuries ago.

Do not miss trying milk products . Along with ordinary milk products, there are some traditional and really tasty and refreshing ones. Matsun (yogurt) is a traditional Armenian dairy product that has centuries of history. It contains a number of natural microelements, which have high biochemical activity. It's really refreshing, especially when you try it cold during hot summers. Diluted with water or whey (or both) until drinkable, it becomes tan , and is sold in bottles. Okroshka is cold soup with tan , cucumber and dill; it is a healthy and refreshing dairy product. Spas is a really tasty hot matsun soup with grains in it.

Planning your route

The only station north of Gyumri that is officially accessible to passengers is Vanadzor, where the Georgia-bound train stops. North of Vanadzor there are only technical stops to which tickets can not be bought (Pambak, Shahali, Sanahin, Ayrum). One can still try to enter/leave the train though and ticket inspectors may allow this.

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.