ARMENIA

MINUBE TRAVEL GUIDE

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 ARMENIA
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 What to see in Armenia Page 2

Of Cultural Interest Temples

4 5
Hayravank Monastery Garni Temple
Lauraround: Hayravank Monastery stands proudly on Lauraround: The temple of Garni is located 26 km from
Lake Sevan, has a ninth-century church (quite modern Yerevan in Armenia, which was the first Christian country in
considering that Armenia is the first Christian country in the the world. In fact, the Armenians support the theory that the
1 Noravank Monastery Canyons world). There are many beautiful khachkars (crosses carved
in stone) around the monastery. It is a wonderful place to
remains of Noah's ark rest on Mount Ararat. The temple of
Garni is one of the few pagan temples in Armenia that
Lauraround: The best kept secret of all Armenia is located in a hidden canyon: the Noravank Monastery. "Noravank" in enjoy some peace and some lovely views. remains and it is thanks to its location amongst the mountains
Armenian means "new monastery" (Նորավանք), and it's found near the town of Yeghegnadzor, in the region of Vayots Dzor that it survived the collapse of the pagan temples. The
about 120 km from Yerevan. It was built in the 12th century on the ruins of a 9th century church. The complex is formed by the Hellenistic style temple takes you back in time and it really is
main church of the monastery dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Surp Karapet), another dedicated to St. Gregory (Surp Grigor), a jaw-dropping experience.
one dedicated to the Holy Mother of God (Surp Astvatsatsin). Around the monastery in the sixteenth and seventeenth century
were built the walls that still exist. There are also the famous "khachkars" (huge carved stone crosses) that are omnipresent
around Armenian monasteries and churches. Noravank is known for being a very important "scriptorium", where the monks
copyists transcribed, decorated and restored historic books. Thanks to them, within the monastery there is a space dedicated to
the Armenian alphabet, which is engraved on the stone that is on the floor. Noravank has been restored twice in the last century.
I've traveled a lot and seen a lot but discovering this monastery made me realize that there is still a lot to be seen. Armenia is a
country of monasteries, all beautiful and all different. After having seen many, a friend offered me a trip to Noravank and I thought,
"Another monastery?" In the end, though, it's simply amazing. I could even say that maybe it's my favorite place in Armenia.
Yegheknadzor, Yegheknadzor Sevan Garni

Historical Monuments

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin

Lakes
2 3
Lake Sevan and the Hayravank
Monastery
Lauraround: Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia. It
is located 1930 meters above sea level making it one of the
largest high-altitude lakes in the world. Many plans have
occurred to cause the decline in the water level of the lake.
Even with the bad, Armenia tends to find something good and
because of the declining archaeological remains, something
more than 2000 years old were found, known as khachkars
(crosses carved into giant precious stones). Armenia is a
country full of legends and the Lake obviously has one too
also. Legend has it that the origin of the name comes from
Van Lake (now Lake Turkey), it is said that when people were
living in Van, visiting Sevan, the nights were cold and dark.
And they began to call the lake The Black Van (sev means
Black in Armenian). In early spring or fall, the lake is pretty
bleak so it's not the best time to visit. At that time, there aren't
any people or colors and it is really just a sad place. Then, in
Sevan, Sevan
Historical Monuments
Waterfall
Lauraround: The Waterfall is a Soviet style monument
with a native touch. Construction began in 1970 and is still
underway. In 1997, after the fall of communism and with it,
the country's economy, construction stopped and dozens of
fountains stopped working as well. The waterfall was a very
ambitious project. Located in the centre of the city, it provides
great views of downtown. It's made of white marble. Again,
Gerard Cafesjian, belonging to the Armenian diaspora and a
great art collector, resumed work on the Waterfall at the
beginning of 2000 and gave it a decorative detail of a black
cat sculpture by the artist Botero. You can climb to the top
and have a Kilikia while watching the city centre at your feet.
It's a rendezvous for young people and if you go at night, you
can meet friendly security officers who are bored and curious
(there isn't a lot of tourism because Armenia is very poor) and
won't hesitate to tell you everything from their family's story to
how they became official guides. They will show you every
Ereván, Armenia, Yerevan
patiki: These two Byzantine monasteries are in Tumania
region and were, in their time, major schools. Both complexes
represent the flowering stage of Armenian religious
architecture, which is a unique product of the mixture of
Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and architecture of the
Caucasian region. Sanahin is a village in the northern
province of Norri and whose Armenian name means "this is
older than that" perhaps referring to the neighboring
monastery. Haghpat meanwhile, is a few kilometers north of
Sanahin and is famous for its beautiful complex, which
Tumanyan
includes a bell tower, a church containing a fresco of Christ
Of Cultural Interest
6
Geghard Monastery
Lauraround: The same day that you visit Garni you can
visit the Geghard temple, in fact, one of the options is to walk
there (which takes about 2 hours) and back before dark with
an overnight stop at Garni. The Gegahd temple is an
architectural miracle. It is made of stone and embedded in
Azat Valley. At the entrance of the monastery, we can find
"khachkars" which are crosses carved in huge rocks and are Things to see in Armenia
one of the country's most beautiful symbols. It is said that the
1. Noravank Monastery 2. Lake Sevan and the Hayrava...
monastery's name means "spear" since, supposedly, one of
3. Waterfall 4. Hayravank Monastery
the spears that pierced the body of crucified Jesus
Ereván, is there.
Armenia, I
Kotayk
5. Garni Temple 6. Geghard Monastery
 Where to eat in Armenia Page 3

Restaurants

Soviético - Vernissage Restaurant

Lauraround: In Yerevan, close to Republic Square, the
Vernissage is a market where you can find posters, badges,
medals with Soviet propaganda.. the Vernissage, I will tell
you about another time. That day I discovered a restaurant. If
you look at the Vernissage from the bus stops in Republic
Square, you will find that there is a part of the market
dedicated to painters, there, on the left, under a blue awning,
you'll notice a door and painters coming with and without
pictures, poke your head around the door, you will discover
one of the most fascinating places in the city. Armenia is,
unfortunately, still a macho society (for a woman to go alone
to a bar or smoke on the street is still frowned upon) but in
this restaurant that does not matter, the owner of the
restaurant is king, full of energy and a very good cook, who
will offer fish, dolma (stuffed rolls with meat and rice), cheese,
meat, pickled vegetables ... A nice glass of vodka
(homemade) and a paper napkin paper all for the price of one
euro. It is open every Saturday and Sunday. If you find it,
Yerevan
enter and enjoy a food journey in time.
 Where to stay in Armenia Page 4

Hotels
1
Arthurs Aghveran Resort
minube: The Arthurs Aghveran Resort Hotel is located in
Yerevan, Armenia. This modern property was constructed in
2006 and provides outstanding service. The mountains
generate a purer environment than elsewhere, and it offers
various activities, like sports and entertainment, mixed with
deep rest and fresh air. It has a fully equipped kitchen.

2503 KOTAYSKY DISTRICT, Yerevan

Hotels
2
Golden Palace Hotel Yerevan
minube: This modern and stylish hotel is designed to
meet the needs of business travellers according to the
highest international standards. It's a prestigious and
comfortable place to spend a quiet and pleasant stay. It's an
oasis of calm in a city, and features a restaurant serving
delicious local cuisine.

AZATUTYAN AVE 2-2, Yerevan

Places to stay in Armenia

1. Arthurs Aghveran Resort 2. Golden Palace Hotel Yerevan