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Armenia

Welcome to Armenia. We cross the border today from Georgia to Bavra, Armenia and traveled to Gyumri, Armenia. The equestrian statue of Vartan Mamikonian is erected at the centre of the memoria

Gyumri is an urban municipal community and the second largest city in Armenia, serving as the administrative center of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country. Gyumri has a population of 121,976. The 19th-century Church of the Holy Saviour to the south of the square

Gyumri City Hall on VartVartanants Square is the large central town square in Gyumri, Armenia

The 19th-century Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God. The church is topped with a large dome at the center surrounded with 2 minor domes. Unlike other Armenian churches, the altar at the Holy Mother of God is unique for its multi-iconic decoration.

The altar at the Holy Mother of God is unique for its multi-iconic decoration.

Looking up into the copula almost over the alter in the Cathedral.

The Church of the Holy Mother of God belongs to the Cruciform style of the Armenian churches with an external rectangular shape

The interior is simple but beautiful.

This is a monument commemorating December 7, 1988, earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale that struck northwestern Armenia devastating the town of Gyumri and others. The earthquake killed almost 25,000 and injured injured thousands more.

I am told that the average monthly salary in Armenia is the equivalent of $364 US in the country and $390 US in Yerevan the Capital.

Armenia is a small country that doesn’t find itself on the list of popular tourist destinations. But for tourists, like me, who like to explore nature, learn about history, drink and eat delicious food, Armenia is the right choice. It’s a rustic ancient land with amazing countryside where people take great pride in their traditions, culture, religion and cuisine.

New Pedestirian only street helping restart Economic Development for downtown Gyumri.

Kerkorian donated millions of dollars to Armenia through his Lincy Foundation, which was established in 1989 after the devastating 1988 Spitak earthquake.

Our Armenian guide Sonya explaining the statute of the late U.S.-Armenian billionaire and philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian was very generous after theearthquake.

Armenia is a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located in Western Asia on the Armenian Highlands, It is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran to the south.

Just like Russia the ATM's in old Soviet Bloc countries are never pedestrian friendly. They take an old window and put steps underneath to accommodate bank customers.

A better view at the Church of the Mother of Holy God.

Our group of travelers and our guide to the right Peter. We represented 4 countries Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Sstates.

Statue of Charles Aznavour, a French and Armenian singer, lyricist, and diplomat. Aznavour was known for his distinctive tenor voice. Ironically the day this photo was taken he died and Armenia was morning his death, especially in Yerevan, the Capital.

Older Soviet Bloc residences

Beautiful open countryside

We stopped in a small town, Artashavan, on the way to Yerevan and discovered a large local bakery. They were placing dough inside a large round open oven for a minute or so only. The bread was delicious.

Great bakery products on display. Very reasonable too.

As fast as the hot bread comes from the open round oven it is sold.

Here you see the hot bread being removed from the oven.

Employees working hard in the kitchen to create these great treats to enjoy.

This is really good looking bread.

Here we have Sonya our local guide sharing with us some of the hot bread.

Pastries look great too.

Borus and Sonya sharing some bread

The locals were buying the bread by the handfull and carrying it out.

Looks like a meeting of the local police.

Armenian alphabet monument with giant carved letters, Artashavan village, Armenia - Also called Alphabet Park

These giant stone letters are dedicated to Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet. They were set near his resting place in 2005 when the alphabet celebrated its 1600th birthday. His system has been used ever since, and each of 39 letters has its own free-standing statue in a large field near the village of Artashavan.

Cross made of roadside crosses, old and new. This one was very interesting, as it was made of hundreds of smaller crosses welded together, Holy Cross,. near Artashavan and the Armenian Alphabet Monument.

Outskirts of Yerevan

Military building with a guard out front

We had lunch today at an art enclave prepared by students. This is the dining room with local art we dined.in.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the pre-eminent center of authority in the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Church. Located near the capital of Yerevan in the Republic of Armenia

t is composed of: The Mother Cathedral of the entire Armenian Church; The monastery and monastic brotherhood; The residence of the Catholics of All Armenians;

Area for outdoor services

Entrance to the Cathedral

Building specifically for Baptism

Beautiful grounds

Swimming Pool at the Best Western Congress Hotel. Rare to have a pool like this in the hotels.

Evening traffic outside the hotel at 5:30 in the evening. Caios

Evening on Northern Avenue Pedestrian friendly.No cars.

Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia as well as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River,. Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country.

The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC, with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC

With the growth of the Armenian economy, Yerevan has undergone major transformation. Much construction has been done throughout the city since the early 2000s, and retail outlets such as restaurants, shops, and street cafés, which were rare during Soviet times, have multiplied. As of 2011, the population of Yerevan was 1,060,138, just over 35% of the Republic of Armenia's total population. According to the official estimate of 2016, the current population of the city is 1,073,700.

The construction sector has experienced a significant growth during the 1st decade of the 21st century. Starting from 2000, Yerevan has witnessed a massive construction boom, funded mostly by Armenian millionaires from Russia and the United States,

In the evening the city fountains are lighted with music accompanying the movement of the fountains.

Fountains in the evening in front of the History Museum of Armenia

The History Museum of Armenia is a museum in Armenia with departments of Archaeology, Numismatics, Ethnography, Modern History and Restoration. It has a national collection of 400,000 objects and was founded in 1920.

Innovative way to convert a VW into a business.

City buildings downtown are lighted in the evening.

This park had been dedicated for the celebration of the 2,750 year of the city several years ago..

This building from the 1800 is lighted nightly across the street from the htoel we were staying.

Bill and myself are checking one of the new cocktail lounge chairs just arrived that day with Carol Anne sitting in it..

Traffic congestion in the mornings too.

Highway from Yerevan to the Iranian border..

This monastery plays an important part in Armenian history.

The Khor Virap "deep dungeon" is an Armenian monastery located in the Ararat plain in Armenia, near the closed border with Turkey, 5 miles south of Artashat, Ararat Province, within the territory of ancient Artaxata. The monastery was host to a theological seminary and was the residence of Armenian Catholics.

Khor Virap is located on a hillside in Pokr Vedi. the village is 2.5 miles from the main highway. Yerevan, the capital and largest city of Armenia, is 19 miles to the north. It is situated about 30 feet away from the closed Turkish-Armenian border, sealed by barbed wire fencing, and defended by Russian military establishments that guard the troubled border zone. The monastery is surrounded by green pasture lands and vineyards within the Ararat plain and is in view of Mount Ararat. The Arax River flows close by, and the monastery is opposite of Aralık, Turkey.

Mount Ararat is a snow-capped and dormant compound volcano in the extreme east of Turkey. It consists of two major volcanic cones: Greater Ararat and Little Ararat. Greater Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and the Armenian plateau with an elevation of 16,854 feet. While, Little Ararat's elevation is 12,782 feet. .

The first efforts to reach Ararat's summit were made in the Middle Ages. However, it was not until 1829 when Friedrich Parrot and Khachatur Abovian, accompanied by four others, made the first recorded ascent.

Despite the scholarly consensus that the "mountains of Ararat" of the Book of Genesis do not refer specifically to Mt. Ararat, it has been widely accepted in Christianity as the resting place of Noah's Ark. It is the principal national symbol of Armenia and has been considered a sacred mountain by Armenians. It is featured prominently in Armenian literature and art and is an icon for Armenia. Along with Noah's Ark, it is depicted on the coat of arms of Armenia. The area of the heavier snow pack to the right in the photo is the locations claimed as the resting sight of the ark.

In the year 301, Armenia was the first country in the world to be declared a Christian nation. A chapel was initially built in 642 at the site of Khor Virap. T.he Builder as a mark of veneration to Saint Gregory.

The Ararat base is about 22 miles wide at ground base

In this church is a pit where Gregory the Illuminator was held for 13 years. Here I am climbing into the dungeon down a steep ladder to the bottom area.

This is the dungeon that St. Gregory was held for 13 years. Khor Virap's notability as a monastery and pilgrimage site is attributed to the fact that Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia. Saint Gregory subsequently became the king's religious mentor, and they led the proselytizing activity in the country.

The pit where Gregory was imprisoned is southwest of the main church, underneath St. Gevorg Chapel which is a small basilica replete with a semicircular apse. Of the two pits inside the chapel, Grigor's is the farther one, 20 feet deep and 14 feet wide. The pit is approached through two unmarked holes. A small chamber, winding stairway, and a ladder lead to a small enclosure in the pit. To the right of the altar in the dungeon is the main room. A long ladder from here descends to a large cell of fairly good size, which was Grigor Lusavorich's prison cell. The climb down the well is to a depth of 200 feet.

The pit is well lit but the climb down the metal ladder requires sturdy shoes. It is also extremely humid down the pit in the summer months so be cautious and don't bring candles down as this adds to the heat.

Over the centuries, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1662, the larger chapel known as the "St. Astvatsatsin" (Holy Mother of God) was built around the ruins of the old chapel, the monastery, the refectory and the cells of the monks. Now, regular church services are held in this church. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Armenia.

The border fence of Armenia, highway, in the foreground and Turkey above the road in the photo.

The altar pulpit is well decorated. Though most Armenian churches have an east–west orientation, placing the altar at the east end, St. Gevorg Chapel is oriented northwest–south.

Plaza area

Though plain in appearance, a monastery was built around a large enclosure that surrounds the ruins of the old chapel.

Mount Ararat in the distance looking through the Iron fence and cross.

Trek up to the top of the hill behind the Khor Virap Monastery.

View looking away from the Turkish border into Armenia.

View of a village just across the border into Turkey

View of the Monastery Khor Virap and surroundings.

Cute souvenir dolls for sale

City of Yerevan

Former Soviet Bloc apartments

Kievyan Bridge or also called the Great Bridge of Hrazden in Yerevan

Visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum

The Armenian Genocide memorial complex is Armenia's official memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, built in 1967 on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan

The eternal flame symbolizes an everlasting faith, an everlasting will, and an everlasting nation: a faith to prosper after our hardships, and a will to continuously strive for the common cause of recognition, restoration, and reparation of the injustices of the Armenian Genocide

The eternal flame will bring awareness to the injustices committed by the Ottoman Turkish Empire while commemorating the lives and lands we have lost. The flame also represents a nation that will one day see its children back in the lands of Mush and Van, a nation that will one day reclaim Ararat as its own, and a nation that will one day see Karabagh secure and at peace.

The eternal flame was lit in Armenia on April 23, 2014

The roof of the museum is flat and covered with concrete tiles. It overlooks the scenic Ararat Valley and majestic Mount Ararat.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute opened its doors in 1995 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the genocide.

Since opening its doors, the museum has received tens of thousands of visitors including schoolchildren, college students and huge numbers of tourists from outside Armenia. The Republic of Armenia has turned visiting the museum into part of state protocol and many official foreign delegations have already visited the museum.

The impressive two-story building is built directly into the side of a hill so as not to detract from the imposing presence of the Genocide Monument nearby.

he Genocide Monument is designed to memorialize the innocent victims of the first Genocide of the 20th century. The Genocide Museum’s mission is rooted in the fact that understanding the Armenian Genocide is an important step in preventing similar future tragedies, in keeping with the notion that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.[9]

It is hard to believe that an neighboring country such as Turkey could do this to their neighbor in Armenia.

An older sister found her younger brother after searching and searching.

Definitely a traffic problem in Armenia.

The building behind the sign board is the home of the famous Ararat Brandy

You are about to discover an out of this world Brandy.

Visitors from all over the world have signed their names on the wall inside the Ararat Brandy Distillery.

The best part of the tour...sampling the wonderful Ararat Brandy. Great way to end a wonderful trip.

What a pleasant experience to travel in and around the Caucuses. The Countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Each country was distinct in their own way. Each country we visited we had educational learning experiences. I discovered a new appreciation for a part of the world I had never thought of visiting. The food, drink, hospitality, and friendships we experienced were awesome. I highly recommend visiting this interesting corner of the world.

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