Top 6 Reasons to Visit Armenia – Tatev Monastery

Are you tired of spending your vacation in the same familiar places? Want to try something absolutely new and unique? Then you can consider Armenia as a next travel destination, as this small unique country offers myriads of tourist attractions you won’t find in any other country. It’s a truly unique place for the backpacker. Here we present top 6 reasons for visiting Armenia this year.

1. To explore the first Christian country in the world

Armenia is the first country in the world that adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301, and now the monuments connected with this important event can be seen everywhere throughout the country. Just imagine: hundreds of majestic and unique monasteries and temples each of which has its own history and design! And although Armenian temples do not have such exquisite design as the Gothic creations, they proudly stand against the background of amazing mountainous landscapes and amaze by their simplicity and magnificence at the same time. Visiting them the heart is filled with a reverence and unforgettable emotions. So if you decide to spend your holiday in Armenia try not to miss the most famous and favorite Christian monument such as Geghard, Tatev, Khor Virap, Aghpat, Sanain, Haghartsin, Echmiadzin Cathedral, Sevanavank, Noravank and others. By the way, many of them are included into the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Top 6 reasons to visit Armenia

2. To admire unique lace stones

Wherever you go in Armenia you will see unique cross-stones called «khachkars». They have purely Armenian origin and reflect the whole Christian history of the country. There are more than 50 000 khachkars  each of which is hand-made and has its own unique pattern, ornament and history dating back to the mists of time. The creation of khachkars required workmanship of a real master, genuine talent and lots of time, as many of them weigh a few tones. No nation in the world has used such powerful and long-lasting way to express its faith in God. A typical cross-stone is made of volcanic basalt or tuff. In the center, you can see a large cross (a symbol of the crucifixion) that is surrounded by images of grapes and leaves which resemble lace. Want to see Armenian khachkars? Then visit Noraduz village not far from Lake Sevan and you will see the unique cemetery of 900 khachkars. By the way, it is considered that the most beautiful one is situated in the territory of Goshavank Monastery and dates back to 1291. If you won’t have an opportunity to go there, visit the National History Museum in Yerevan (Republic Square 4), which presents the other masterpiece of the same master.

Khackars – top 6 reasons to visit Armenia

3. To taste the thinnest pita bread in the world.

It is impossible to imagine Armenian table without lavash – special thin pita bread prepared from wheat flour and water and baked in a special oven – tonyr. This bread has purely Armenian origin and is a pride of a nation. It is so thin and soft that you can wrap anything you wish in it starting from meat to apples. Most Armenians prefer to wrap cheese with various greens – it is a real Armenian sandwich. Want to try? Visit any market or supermarket during your rest in Armenia and you will find a great choice of this tasty low-calorie bread. Moreover, nowadays it can be bought almost everywhere in the world with the label “Armenian lavash”. By the way, some years ago lavash was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

World’s thinnest pita bread in Armenia

4. To take a dip in the inverted sky

The legendary Lake Sevan is located so high in the mountains that sometimes it seems that the water surface is about to touch the sky. The lake is one of the highest in the world and is the largest in the Caucasus, that’s why it is sometimes called “Armenian sea”.  One cannot help admiring the beauties surrounding this unique place: hills covered with forests, rock cliffs, steppes turning into alpine meadows. So it is not a coincidence that the lake is a favorite place for a rest in hot summer days for both locals and tourists. The place is really very suitable for a good rest: one can find various hotels and cottages to any tastes and possibilities, there are also good conditions for yachting, windsurfing and even diving! You can combine your rest with the visit to popular sights as Monastery of Sevanavank, churches of Ayravank, Astvacacin and Arakeloc.

Top 6 Reasons to visit Armenia – Lake Sevan

5. To take the longest ropeway in the world

Have you ever wondered how it feels like to fly over the picturesque canyon for about 15 minutes? Armenia provides with an opportunity to have such a unique experience, as several years ago in the southern part of the country the longest ropeway in the world (over 5km) was constructed. Now it is included into the Guinness Book. At the end of the flight, you will see unique Tatev Monastery – the masterpiece of medieval architecture and without any doubt one of the most spectacular attractions on the Planet.

Top 6 reasons to visit Armenia – longest ropeway in the world

6. To listen to jazz

Armenians have always loved and respected jazz. In Soviet times, this music was the mean of the expression of the inner freedom. During that time, the first and the best jazz combos of Armenia Levon Malkhasyan was playing in the legendary cafe «Poplavok» (Isaakyan 41) and gradually gathered other performers.  Later he opened his own jazz club «Malkhas» (Pushkin 52/1) which is a meeting place of real connoisseurs of music with good taste. This place pleases with cozy atmosphere, and if you happen to listen to maestro’s playing full of his own unique emotionality and expressivity you will get unforgettable emotions.

Listen to Jazz at Malkhas Jazz Club

So get your backpack on and head to explore marvellous Armenia!