| ArmavirArea: 1251 km 2
Population: 323300
Administrative Center: Armavir
Distance from Yerevan to Armavir: 48 km
Between the four-peaked mountain of Aragats and the biblical Mount Ararat, Armenia's national symbol of remembrance and hope, lies the fertile lowlands of the Armavir region. Armavir is a symphony of beautiful landscapes, wondrous architecture, hospitable traditions, and momentous history, existing in unity and harmony. The Ararat valley is the largest and the most fertile land of the forty valleys of the historical Armenian highland. At once we are presented with contrasts in the Armavir region: four of the thirteen capitals of Historic Armenia can be found in the same region as the Zvartnots International Airport, currently undergoing a much-needed makeover.
A mere twenty minutes from Yerevan by car is the spiritual center of Armenia, the Holy See of Ejmiatsin, the Mother Cathedral of the world's oldest Christian nation. Located in the city of the same name which was once the capital of Armenia, Ejmiatsin is the residence of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. A beautiful cathedral, museum, and seminary are among the most significant edifices of this holy site.
The Armavir region can be thought of as a giant Armenian orchard. Apples, apricots, cherries, plums, watermelons, strawberries, raspberries, melons, peaches and many other gifts of nature grow on this fertile land. Of note, both the apricot and the peach are said to have their origins in the Ararat valley. Alexander the Great reportedly introduced apricots to Greece after leading his legendary armies through the Armenian highlands.
Located a short distance from the Mother Cathedral, the majestic masterpieces of Armenian architecture St. Hripsimeh and St. Gayaneh churches are at once inspiring and solemn. Each church is dedicated to the Christian nuns who were martyred prior to Armenia's conversion to Christianity. Locals are said to prefer St. Hripsimeh for marriage ceremonies and St. Gayaneh for the baptism of their children. On the outskirts of Ejmiatsin, another stunning site are the ruins of Zvartnots, a 7th century cathedral and architectural masterpiece that was destroyed during a subsequent earthquake
The Metsamor Archaeological Museum you will have an opportunity to see the impressive collection over 26,000 items of which nearly ten thousand are on permanent display. Archaeological excavations of an ancient fortress-settlement located in the vicinity of Taronik village at the source of Metsamor River have provided many of the findings.
A symbol of pride and survival, the Sardarapat Memorial marks the place of Armenia's successful last-ditch effort to save the nation from obliteration at the hands of the Turks. Against tremendous odds, and during the haunting backdrop of genocide during the previous few years, Armenia's makeshift army rebuffed the Turkish troops and safeguarded the small portion of historic Armenia, what became the current republic as it stands today. On the grounds of the historic battle one can today visit the Sardarapat Ethnography and Liberation Movement History Museum adjacent to the outdoor monument. | |
