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Armenia is the oldest Christian state on the planet. Beautiful mountain scenery, numerous cultural and historical monuments, good wine make Armenia interesting and attractive to tourists. Armenia has no outlet to the sea. It is located in a mountainous area between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. 90% of the territory of the state lies at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak – Aragats, an extinct volcano (4090 m), is located near biblical Mount Ararat. The largest lake Sevan, is situated to the east of Yerevan, at an altitude of 1900 m. Its area is 940 sq. km. Armenia was Christianized as early as the 3 rd century, the country was repeatedly conquered by the Romans, Persians, Arabs, Mongols and Russian. Every era left its monuments in the country. Therefore, many travelers believe that the country is one of the most attractive in Europe. By number of museum exhibitions, Yerevan is able to compete with any capital of the world. There is a vast museum complex, which includes museums (the Museum of Literature, Art History Museum etc), art gallery, the museum of the Revolution and the Small Hall of Philharmonic Society. In addition, an interesting museum of the history of Yerevan, the Museum of Russian Art, the Museum of Ethnography, the house-museum of the famous composer Aram Khachaturian, the house-museum of the famous Armenian painter Martiros Saryan, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Folk Art and many others. We must also mention the Matenadaran, in which collection there are more than 17,000 of very valuable Middle Ages manuscripts. In the city there is a great number of churches and cathedrals. Attract attention the main temple of Armenian Gregorian Church and the residence of the Catholicos of all Armenians Echmiadzin, as well as Kecharis monastery. At 15 kilometers to the east from Yerevan is impregnable fortress of Garni, the former summer residence of Armenian kings. A 30 km to the north-west from the capital is the town of Ashtarak, home to Karmravor church. Nearby, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, stands the fortress Amberd, former ancestral domain of Pahlavuni Princes, one of a few remaining castles of the country. South-east of the country is beautiful for its magnificent mountain landscapes. Mountains and valleys, small canyons, rapid rivers, small lakes and amazing settlements are located on the slopes. There are also such famous monuments of the history as Shatinvank monastery, S. Zorats cathedral, the ruins of Galidzor castle, the Noravank Abbey with burial-vault of Orbelian family, cave settlements of Bartsravane, Keres, Khndzoresk and Shinuhayr, Jermuk resort with its famous warm mineral springs and a protected plane-tree grove in the valley of the river Tsav. The symbol of the country is a cross-stone - Armenian cross. Such stone crosses, symbolizing sacrifices that brought this ancient people, are in abundance all over the country. Armenian cross can be found on temple fences, old cemeteries, and even in courtyards of houses. Numerous surprising evidence of past epochs, located throughout Armenia, undoubtedly, are worthy of attention of tourists and travelers.
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YerevanAccording to a number of museums Yerevan can be compared with leading museum cities of the world. Buildings of the city are saturated with national motives |
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Ararat, brandyArarat brandy is the most popular Armenian drink, which history has more than one millennium. Tourists can visit almost all brandy factories, taste and buy wine |
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Armenian barbecueArmenian barbecue is the main dish at all Armenian feasts. It is made of different kinds of meat, pre-pickling in wine |
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Armenian folkloreArmenian music and dance can never be confused with any other. Armenian music instruments preserved since the early Middle Ages |
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Armenian lavashVisiting Armenia, try Lavash - an ancient Armenian national bread, baked in a thin strip up to 50 cm width and length up to meter. It has almost no crumb |
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Echmiadzin CathedralEchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the most ancient monuments of Christianity, was built in IV century, after Christianity has became the state religion of Armenia |
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Garni pagan templeThe pagan temple of Garni belongs to the Hellenistic era. It was built to honor the Sun God – Mitra. There are also remains of an ancient fortress, royal palace, baths |
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Geghard MonasteryThe monastery complex built in XII-XIII centuries and originally called the cave monastery, was later renamed into Geghard. All of the ancient buildings are open for visitors |
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Haghpat MonasteryBuilt in X century, the Haghpat Monastery includes: the Church of the Holy Virgin, the Church of the Holy Nshan,the ancient book depository and some other buildings |
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Khor Virap monasteryThe Khor Virap monastery is of the same age with Christianity in Armenia. Being located at the foot of Biblical Mount Ararat it is the place of pilgrimage of believers |
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Lake Sevan, resortDuring the last 15 years new comfortable hotels and hostels have been built in Lake Sevan environs. The lake attracts tourists with its natural beauties and fishing |
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Noravank monasteryThe significant religious and cultural center of medieval Armenia - Noravank monastery complex is the unique monument of architecture of XIII-XIV centuries |
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Ohanavank monasteryThe Church of the Holy Virgin with the remarkable bas-relief above the entrance and the chapel have preserved in the Oganavank monastery complex(V century) |
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Saghmosavank MonasterySaghmosavank Monastery or Monastery of Psalms was built in XII-XIII centuries by Vachutyan family. All buildings were restored after the earthquake of 1988 year |
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SevanLake Sevan is the pearl of Armenia and a natural site of worldwide standard. The lake is located about 2000 meters above sea level |
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Yerevan, souvenir marketThe best place to buy souvenirs in Yerevan is a huge market - "the Vernisage". There are all sorts of handicraft wares of clay and stone, carpets and jewelry |