Signagi (Sighnaghi)
Khor Virab
The small church complex at Khor Virab houses one of the holiest sites in Armenia—the dungeon where St. Gregory was imprisoned near the end of the third century AD. After his release, Gregory converted Armenia's King Trdat III to Christianity, and Armenia became the world's first Christian nation. It's a very low-key shrine, but you can climb down into the candlelit stone cell and ponder what it must have been like to spend 13 years underground. 30 mi/50 km southwest of Yerevan.
Garni
Once the refuge of Armenian kings, Garni is home to the 2,200-year-old Garni Fortress. The highlight of the site is the basalt Temple of the Sun (completed in AD 66). It was fully restored in 1976 and is surrounded by Ionic columns. Next to the temple is a Roman bath, complete with a mosaic floor and ancient plumbing. Garni is usually seen on a day trip from Yerevan, along with Geghard. 15 mi/25 km northeast of Yerevan.
Echmiadzin
In the shadow of Mount Ararat (just across the border, in Turkey), Echmiadzin dates from the sixth century BC and was the capital of the country for almost two centuries. Today, Echmiadzin remains the spiritual capital of Armenia, as it is the home of the Supreme Catholicos, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Church. Start by visiting the Church of Hripsime and the Church St. Gayane, then head to the main cathedral (so you can save the best for last). The cathedral has a beautiful interior and contains an amazing array of apocryphal religious artifacts in the museum behind the altar, such as a thorn from Christ's crown, the lance that pierced his side and a piece of Noah's ark. Also in this museum is a door that leads a few steps down under the altar, with a well-preserved fire-worshipping pit over which the altar was built. The first church was built on this site in 301 AD. If you can, visit during a Mass (Armenian choral music is beautiful). 12 mi/20 km west of Yerevan.
Lake Sevan
More than 6,000 ft/1,900 m above sea level, Sevan is the largest lake in the Transcaucasian region. The lake's color seems to change throughout the day. The lake level was once much higher, but an irrigation/hydroelectric plan in Stalin's time significantly reduced the size. Rent a sailboat or paddleboat from the yacht club near Sevan, or stay on land and visit the nearby ninth-century churches. Although there are a lot of things to do around the lake, swimming in the frigid water is only for the brave. 45 mi/75 km north of Yerevan.
Haghpat
Telavi
Tbilisi
According to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who discovered a mystical warm spring that inspired the king to build a city on the site. Tbili meaning "warm" has been rebuilt 29 times and old town Tbilisi is known for its natural sulfur bathhouses. The city straddles the Mtkvari river, sits at the foot of the Trialeti mountain range, and lies in the center of eastern Georgia.
Yerevan
The largest and oldest inhabited cities in Armenia is Yerevan. It's history dates back to 8th century BC however it underwent significant reconstruction to resemble Paris, Vienna, and St. Petersburg. This relaxed city is a wonderful European masterpiece with public squares built over 3,000-year-old ruins and dancing fountains, flower-covered staircases, collections of traditional and decorative folk art, and views of beautiful artistry of gardens and sculptures that give the city life!
The small church complex at Khor Virab houses one of the holiest sites in Armenia—the dungeon where St. Gregory was imprisoned near the end of the third century AD. After his release, Gregory converted Armenia's King Trdat III to Christianity, and Armenia became the world's first Christian nation. It's a very low-key shrine, but you can climb down into the candlelit stone cell and ponder what it must have been like to spend 13 years underground. 30 mi/50 km southwest of Yerevan.
Once the refuge of Armenian kings, Garni is home to the 2,200-year-old Garni Fortress. The highlight of the site is the basalt Temple of the Sun (completed in AD 66). It was fully restored in 1976 and is surrounded by Ionic columns. Next to the temple is a Roman bath, complete with a mosaic floor and ancient plumbing. Garni is usually seen on a day trip from Yerevan, along with Geghard. 15 mi/25 km northeast of Yerevan.
In the shadow of Mount Ararat (just across the border, in Turkey), Echmiadzin dates from the sixth century BC and was the capital of the country for almost two centuries. Today, Echmiadzin remains the spiritual capital of Armenia, as it is the home of the Supreme Catholicos, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Church. Start by visiting the Church of Hripsime and the Church St. Gayane, then head to the main cathedral (so you can save the best for last). The cathedral has a beautiful interior and contains an amazing array of apocryphal religious artifacts in the museum behind the altar, such as a thorn from Christ's crown, the lance that pierced his side and a piece of Noah's ark. Also in this museum is a door that leads a few steps down under the altar, with a well-preserved fire-worshipping pit over which the altar was built. The first church was built on this site in 301 AD. If you can, visit during a Mass (Armenian choral music is beautiful). 12 mi/20 km west of Yerevan.
More than 6,000 ft/1,900 m above sea level, Sevan is the largest lake in the Transcaucasian region. The lake's color seems to change throughout the day. The lake level was once much higher, but an irrigation/hydroelectric plan in Stalin's time significantly reduced the size. Rent a sailboat or paddleboat from the yacht club near Sevan, or stay on land and visit the nearby ninth-century churches. Although there are a lot of things to do around the lake, swimming in the frigid water is only for the brave. 45 mi/75 km north of Yerevan.
According to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century by King Vakhtang Gorgasali who discovered a mystical warm spring that inspired the king to build a city on the site. Tbili meaning "warm" has been rebuilt 29 times and old town Tbilisi is known for its natural sulfur bathhouses. The city straddles the Mtkvari river, sits at the foot of the Trialeti mountain range, and lies in the center of eastern Georgia.
The largest and oldest inhabited cities in Armenia is Yerevan. It's history dates back to 8th century BC however it underwent significant reconstruction to resemble Paris, Vienna, and St. Petersburg. This relaxed city is a wonderful European masterpiece with public squares built over 3,000-year-old ruins and dancing fountains, flower-covered staircases, collections of traditional and decorative folk art, and views of beautiful artistry of gardens and sculptures that give the city life!