Armenians have treasured their artistic traditions, which reflect a unique culture and landscape, since antiquity. Aspects of ordinary life are captured through needlework, decorations, carvings, and design in the most creative way possible. Armenian religion, family life, and the rituals and customs portrayed in their culture have all played a significant part in preserving a strong feeling of identity and legacy among Armenians around the world. According to current study, the Armenian language goes back to the early period of Indo-European divergence and dispersion, around 5000 years ago, or even as early as 7,800 years ago. Trade and conquest compelled the language to evolve, introducing new terms into the people's lexicon. By the fourth century, Armenian literature and books had appeared. Armenian letter art was just included to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Mesrop Mashtots developed the Armenian alphabet in 405, which marked the beginning of Armenian literature. This event, which occurred in the fifth century, is regarded as one of the most significant turning moments in the history of Armenian literature. Movses Khorenatsi was the author of the majority of literary works. When stories and myths were passed down through generations, parts of literature altered throughout time. Among the most favourite Armenian writers are William Saroyan – American prose writer and dramatist of Armenian descent, educator-democrat, teacher and writer Khachatur Abovyan, Raffi – famous Armenian novelist, Hovhannes Tumanyan – creator of a lot of realistic poetry, Avetik Isaakyan. Armenians are passionate about music and have been making beautiful tunes for ages. Sharakans are traditional Armenian liturgical tunes that are currently enjoying a resurgence. Armenian folk songs are performed using unique musical instruments. Among Armenia's most well-known artists and composers are Sayat Nova, Komitas, Aram Khachaturian and others. Jazz, in addition to classical music, is being developed in Armenia. The world-famous Levon Malkhasyan ensemble, the Armenian Navy Band led by Arto Tunchboyajyan, the Jazzel women's band, and, of course, Armenian jazz pianist and composer Tigran Hamasyan are among the representatives. Armenian cuisine is as rich, colorful, and varied as the nation itself, and as dynamic as the Armenian people's attitude and spirit. Today, Armenia is a country that combines the old and the modern; nevertheless, this tendency has passed via national cuisine: national foods in Armenia are still produced using traditional ways wherever possible. It is worthwhile to visit this region because of its rich and centuries-old culture. After all, everything you see will flood your heart with warmth and longing for moments you have never experienced. Armenia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The region around Mount Ararat has been populated since prehistoric times. Archaeologists continue to find evidence that Armenia was an ancient center of civilization. Some historical sites date from the 2nd, 3rd millennium BC that visitors discover during Armenia tours in the regions of the country. Armenia has a very rich architectural heritage. You will quickly realize this on your trip as there are hundreds of churches and monasteries on Armenian soil. It is no coincidence that it is called an "open-air museum". Over the centuries, Armenians have interfered with many cultures and created a sophisticated society. But the country’s strategic location makes it vulnerable to emigration and conquest. The invasions between 1000 and 1500 AD led many Armenians to flee to Cilicia (in south-central Turkey), Constantinople, Smyrna etc. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, persecution under the rule of the Ottoman Empire pushed more Armenians into exile. Today, more than twice as many Armenians live outside the country than inside. About 7 million people of Armenian descent live in Russia, the United States, France, Ukraine, Georgia, Lebanon and elsewhere. Armenian religion, family life, the rituals and traditions expressed in their culture have played an important role in helping Armenians around the world maintain a strong sense of identity and heritage. Armenia proudly claims the distinction of being the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion. Tradition has it that two of Jesus' apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, successfully preached Christianity to the Armenians as early as 40 AD. In 301, Christianity was declared the official religion, and a church was built in Etchmiadzin, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Armenians are proud that Mount Ararat is the place where Noah's ark may rest after the Flood.

Armenia is frequently called museum in the open air. Over 4,000 historical monuments can be found across Armenia, spanning the country's history from prehistoric to Hellenistic eras, as well as the early to medieval Christian era. Every year, a rising number of people visit Armenia to explore this fascinating country, immerse themselves in centuries-old customs and traditions, learn about its colorful history, and marvel at the breathtaking beauty. The inhabitants are kind and welcoming, and they go out of their way to make tourists feel at home in their adopted homeland. There are ten sites in Armenia that you should not miss: 1. Yerevan, Armenia's capital, is a charming city known for its magnificent architecture. According to Urartian King Argishti's cuneiform inscription, it was established in 782 BC, making Yerevan older than Rome! The Republic Square, built by the great Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1924, is the center of the capital. The area is surrounded by significant structures like as the Armenian History Museum and the Government House. 2. Echmiadzin is roughly 20 kilometers from Yerevan (30-minutes by car). A trip to Armenia would be incomplete without a stop at Echmiadzin. Armenia was the first country to make Christianity its official religion (in 301 AD), and the Echmiadzin Cathedral was erected to honor this. Echmiadzin, built on the site of an old pagan temple, is the spiritual center of all Armenians. 3. It takes four hours to travel to Tatev monastery from Yerevan, but it is well worth the trip! Tatev is one of the most popular things to do in Armenia for tourists. The monastery is a magnificent medieval (9th century AD) building perched on the rim of a steep canyon and surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery. You may use the cable car(listed in the Guinness Book of Records as being the longest in the world) to arrive to the monastery. You'll be gliding over the deep gorge for around 20 minutes, taking in the breathtaking view. 4. Because of the beautiful Lake Sevan, Sevan (70 kilometers north-east of Yerevan) is one of Armenia's most popular cities. The lake is extremely popular with both locals and tourists throughout the summer. Lake Sevan, at 1,900m, is also regarded one of the highest lakes in the world, and the turquoise waters appear to be about to touch the sky at times. While at the lake, you may have a BBQ, take a sail on a yacht or catamaran, or simply rest and enjoy the breathtaking landscape. Sevan is also famed for its fish "ishkhan" (Armenian trout), so don't miss out on ordering excellent fish meals at one of the local cafés or restaurants while you're there. 5. When going across Armenia, you will note that the nation is rich with monasteries, and Noravank is one of the most remarkable. The monastery, which was erected in the 13th century, is surrounded by smooth brick-red slopes. If you don't have much time and aren't sure which place to visit when visiting here, select Noravank. 6. Jermuk is one of Armenia's most renowned spa towns due to its therapeutic mineral waters and warm environment. There are around 40 thermal springs in the town! Visit the Gallery of Water in Jermuk for free samples of the therapeutic mineral waters. Don't miss to see the most popular attraction, Jermuk Waterfall, Armenia's second biggest waterfall.The water falls from a height of around 70 meters. 7. One of Armenia's oldest and most renowned megalithic monuments, Karahunj or Zorats Karer ('army of stones,' is located in the Syunik area. It is situated on a plateau at an elevation of 1,770m and is made up of almost 200 stones, each with a hole 5cm in diameter. This structure remains a mystery to scientists, who have several accounts of its origins and purpose — the most prevalent version is that the structure goes back to the 6th century BC and operated as a star-watching observatory. 8. Another famous tourist site in Syunik region is the ancient village of Khndzoresk. This is a one-of-a-kind village where time appears to have stopped. The ancient settlement is made up of massive caverns where people lived until the 1950s. The two sides of the village are linked by a new bridge, and the views from the bridge are absolutely spectacular. 9. Azat gorge is a picturesque canyon in Kotayk region that is known for its distinctive basalt columns. The magnificent natural symmetrical columns were produced as a consequence of geological processes, and they are now fittingly known as the "symphony of stones." Indeed, when viewed from a distance, several of the canyon's walls resemble a massive organ! 10. This ancient temple of Garni, built in the first century CE, is Armenia's only Greco-Roman building. According to some historians, it was initially erected as a temple to the indigenous sun god. Others believe it was originally a tomb, which is why it withstood the demolition of pagan temples when the region was Christianized.

desc

desc