My 16 days Caucasus countries trip ended in Armenia. It is not the easiest country of the Caucasus to visit as both its border with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed. To my pleasant surprise, the world’s first Christian nation has more to offer than countless monasteries.
Located at the Republic Square, the History Museum of Armenia is regarded as Armenia’s national museum. Opened since 1921, this museum has a national collection of 400,000 objects.
The Central Mosque (Blue) of Yerevan is the only operating mosque in Armenia. It was built in 1765 by the Persian Governor Hussein Ali Khan for Friday prayers and features a religious school built around a garden courtyard.
The Cascade is a mix of park and building, creating a unique architectural composition. Constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the Cascade was deigned like The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Stretching more than the height of the Empire State Building at 450 meters from the bottom of the Cascade to the Monument Terrace, the Cascade is massive!
Mother Armenia is the live symbol of Armenian strength. She symbolise peace through strength. This monumental statue is located in Victory Park which is strategically located on a hill as if she is overlooking and guarding the Armenian capital, Yerevan.
Matenadaran or Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscript in Yerevan, Armenia was designed by architect Mark Grigoryan and built in 1957. The Matenadaran is a major centre for the study and preservation of Armenian works of literature. It houses a collection of approximately 17,000 manuscript and 30,000 other documents. This museum holds one of the world’s richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books.
Brandy tasting is one of the main things to do in Yerevan. Although Armenia does not springs to mind when you think of brandy, Armenian brandies have been recipients of many awards and medal over the previous century including the brand Ararat which won the ‘Product of the Year’ for four years in a row in Russia.
When asked about the secret of longevity. Winston Churchill answered without hesitation, “Never be late for dinner, smoke Cuba cigars and drink Armenian Brandy”.
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities. The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC and has been the capital city since 1918. Known as the Pink City since the Soviet era because of the colour of the stone used for the buildings.
The magnificent cathedral of Zvartnots or St. Grigor by medieval historians, was commissioned by Catholics Nerses III from Taik region, between year 643 – 652. According to historian Sebeos, this cathedral was built on the spot where Gregory the Illuminator met the Armenian king Tr’dat; initiating the king’s conversion and leading to Armenia adopting Christianity as the state religion in 301.
Vagharshapat is one of the historic capitals of Armenia and is commonly known as Echmiadzin. Along with other historical churches of Vagharshapat, Saint Hripsime & Saint Gayane Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the holy seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral inside the complex which encompasses an area of 150,000m², was built in 303 on the site of a pagan temple after the adoption of Christianity as a state religion in 301.
Still in Southern Armenia, I headed to Areni. Areni is well known for its wine production and is also the cradle of viticulture. This is where the world’s oldest winery was discovered, dating back 6,000 years ago!
Follow Me @Instagram
![[JAPAN] 6D5N Amazing Kansai Itinerary (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kobe & Kyoto)](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UK0e3s9-Gu8sThwL7dvNKbHojNH6iikXab7ss4Uf_gyzV7LK88LfFu1to5IMLfI7lpKCAtwbsA0yMJCCCJiYK2Mf6FHQcfqIjLBFER4esBKOEG-qHOP-CeRqUcQodGaot3gBNoxVnizq/s72-c/?imgmax=800)
![[MONACO] How To Visit Monaco In One Day From Nice](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkJeVAOmz4LTRwY2uDTK131UJVUWH_44GUUU3H-ni63dK2BlNqITBIh5Tdcpz9kXTUb7ePW7f-PQ1Y7E6B4lnqKEHs_nL3Eop-ouoFhxayMI4lNCcUG-oJnGMVwpGDlBu8lfgn10H_QHw/s72-c/DSC06605.JPG)
![[MALAYSIA] How To Do A Self Guided Walking Tour in Kota Kinabalu](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_cJjX4Shl9rsz0ufzxjmtLMq5PAvmTNDHypSVV2CYDaarZVj8EMznRkXqdVeCGg2yEMdFqPtI5rvrmMtJVSL1W9jqOtdCM2EFAc5ZTWn7XzPQV5sqS4s1DO0T_AuF0nq_dLQ53b9-ju3yyLJUrvU2TlhbmD4rDDV5-aPFaT2WEQZ1c257JXGUhyfsw/s72-c/20220524_131141.jpg)