INEXHAUSTIBLE EMOTIONS

Zvartnots International Airport is the largest airport in Armenia, located 12 kilometers from Yerevan. “Zvartnots” airport got its name in honor of the ancient Armenian "Zvartnots" temple located nearby.

Yerevan “Zvartnots” International Airport has been operating since 1961. Later, the airport was completely renovated in order to meet international standards. The new passenger complex was commissioned in autumn 2011. On January 30, 2013, during the “Second Annual Forum-Exhibition of Developing Airports” in Dubai, the results of voting in more than 20 categories were published, according to which Yerevan “Zvartnots” International Airport was recognized as “the best airport in Russia, the CIS and the Baltic States”.

Republic Square serves as Yerevan's central city square and stands as one of the capital's main architectural complexes. Often referred to as the "business card" or "heart" of Yerevan, Republic Square was conceived as the cornerstone of the city's master plan by architect Alexander Tamanyan between 1924 and 1936. It is situated in the central part of the city, intersecting Abovyan, Nalbandian, Amiryan, and V. Sargsyan Streets with Tigran Mets Avenue.

The Singing Fountains of Yerevan are located in Republic Square, situated in front of the History Museum of Armenia. Republic Square is one of the favorite entertainment places of Yerevan citizens. Outdoor concerts are often organized here, which usually end with spectacular fireworks. Every year, the largest main New Year's tree of the republic is erected in Republic Square and a festive event is organized on New Year's Eve.

Northern Avenue, the main pedestrian street diagonally connecting the two main squares of Yerevan: Liberty and Republic Squares. The avenue got its name due to the fact that it stretches north from the Republic Square. In the evening, Northern Avenue is full of people, life and energy.

The hustle and bustle of work life on Northern Avenue gives way to evening entertainment. Cafes and restaurants are filled with visitors, people walk along the wide street, sit on benches, watching the unfolding procession. On warm summer evenings, Northern Avenue comes alive with street musicians, mimes, artists, and other creative individuals. Special order for the ones who are fans of brand stores, they can find here everything they are looking for: clothes, shoes, accessories, perfume. Mobile telecommunication operators also have shop-centers in Northern Avenue.

Swan Lake is named after Tchaikovsky's “Swan Lake” ballet. It is located near the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, named after Alexander Spendiaryan. The surface area of the lake is 2490 m2. A part of it, with an area of 1200 m2, has been used as a skating rink since 2005. The monument of Arno Babajanyan and the sculpture "Meghedi" are located in the area of Swan Lake.

The National Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia named after Alexander Spendiaryan was founded on January 20, 1933.

The opera and ballet theater occupies its unique place in the life of the capital. The theater in the very center of Yerevan is a cultural center and one of the capital's architectural triumphs.

In the courtyard of the Opera and Ballet Theater is “Freedom Square”, where the statues of the great Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan and composer Alexander Spendiaryan are placed. Freedom Square is one of the favorite places of Yerevan residents and guests of the city, because it is not only a cultural center, but also a pleasant place to stroll and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city.

Geghard Monastery, also known as Geghardavank or Ayrivank, is a medieval monastic complex located in Armenia. The name 'Geghard' is derived from the fact that for 500 years, the holy Geghard, a type of weapon, was kept there. This sacred spear is believed to be the same one with which the Roman centurion pierced the crucified Christ at Golgotha.

There is a traditional view, according to which a brother and sister from a noble family decide to leave the worldly life and with hard work gradually open a temple in the cliff.

In the Matenadaran, Yerevan, as well as in the French National Library and the Berlin State Library, manuscripts and autographs are stored, including gospels, psalms, collections of sermons, writings of Mesrop Mashtots, canticles and lectionaries of the lives of saints, which were compiled, flourished, written and imitated in Geghardavank. The “Tonapatchar” composed by the priest Philipos of Ayrivank, dates back to the 12th century, the composition of which is one of the oldest compositions kept in Matenadaran.

On December 7, 2018, a decision was made at the UNESCO headquarters to give the "Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat River Valley" an enhanced protection status.

Ancient Armenian sun worshiping temple in the village of Garni. The Garni Temple is the only pagan and Greco-Roman structure preserved in the territory of Armenia.

By combining lithographic, bibliographic and archaeological materials, it was found that the temple was built in 77 AD..

The temple is a peripteral type structure typical of Hellenistic period architecture. The temple was dedicated to God Mihr, the god of light and sun in the Armenian theology.

In 2011, the “Garni” Historical - Cultural Museum-Reservation was awarded the UNESCO-Greece Cultural Landscape Preservation and Management Award by the “Melina Mercuri” International Foundation.

Symphony of stones or “Basalt organ”, a natural monument in the basin of the Azat River, in the territory of Garni village. It is included in the list of natural monuments of Armenia.

The symphony is represented by huge pentagonal and hexagonal basalt columns (about 50 m high), which look handmade due to their amazing symmetry. Created by nature, the string of pillars hanging over the river resembles a musical instrument, "Basalt organ". Azat River flows through the gorge, filling the stone splendor with the sound of water. These amazing cliffs were formed under high pressure conditions as a result of the cooling and crystallization of volcanic lava.

In the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) "Vettor Giusti" tourism poster competition in the Europe category, Armenia was recognized as the winner with the "Symphony of Stones" poster among 44 member countries.

About 100 shops of world-famous and local brands are located in the three-story center.

Besides many shops, "Dalma Garden Mall" also houses "PlayLab" and "Jump & Smile" children's entertainment centers, bowling alley, "Cinema Star" multiplex cinema, food court, "Yerevan City" hypermarket, etc.

This historic area was a popular place of worship in pre-Christian times. During the excavations, the foundations of the Urartian temple were discovered here, as well as an altar and a cuneiform inscription of King Rusa II, which testifies to the construction of the Hrazdan River canal. In the territory of Zvartnots there was a shrine of the pagan god Tir (god of education and sciences).

After the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, the pagan cathedral was transformed into a church. It is believed that the Zvartnots Cathedral was built in 643-652.

The cathedral stood until the end of the 10th century and was probably destroyed by an earthquake.

In 1989, the cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Cascade complex is one of the truly magnificent parts of the city, where art, vibrant city life and architecture, green spaces blend perfectly together.
Locals call this area "Cascade" for the sculptured platforms, fountains and green belts that "flow" down from one of the highest hills in the city.
On each platform of the Cascade there are fountain zones, medieval sundial sculptures. The decorative sculptures of the design are Armenian, especially the national symbols of Van, because the main architect, Jim Torosyan, was born in Van. One of the unique features of the complex is that no identical sculpture, ornament or composition is repeated in any part.

The Gerard Cafesjian Museum serves as a national center for artistic creation and expression, and it closely works with the art-loving community. The main focus of the museum is the presentation of world-class fine art in Armenia.

In recent years, the museum's collection has been enriched with the works of both Armenian and foreign masters, such as Taline Zabounian (France), Sam Grigorian (Germany), Harutyun Jinanyan (Jino) (Russia), Vatche Demirdjian (France), Lorent Nissou Soon.

Back in the 1800s, the hundred-year-old Dilijan was known as a thriving cultural center, a commercial center, and famous for its cuisine. Captivated by the surrounding nature, the wealthy of the region were rushing to Dilijan, paving the way for the city's international image. In 2004, Tufenkիan began to rebuild the historical district of the city (Sharambeyan Street), preserving the 19th century architecture, which can now be seen by tourists coming to the city. Beautiful balconies designed in the 19th century Dilijan style show the city's centuries-old love for woodworking. The Yesayan Museum in Old Dilijan is a reconstruction of a typical 19th-century Dilijan house, displaying collections of home textiles and handicrafts and regional musical instruments.

Walking through the streets of Old Dilijan, you will feel the culture and breath of past eras. Specialized workshops and studios sell jewelry, clothing, carpets, tableware and wood carvings and other arts and crafts that have come to life since Tufenkian revitalized the historic district.

Since 2012, the Armenian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Armenia) and the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Armenia, with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), KfW Development Bank, WWF Germany, and Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF), have been implementing the program called “Repopulation of the Caucasian Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus Maral) in Armenia”.

Indescribably beautiful nature makes Dilijan one of the most attractive places to travel. One of the wonders of nature, Parz Lich is hidden in the thicket of Dilijan Reserve, it got its name due to its simplicity. The lake has a landslide origin and is surrounded by forests on all four sides, thanks to which people can be completely separated from the hustle and bustle of the city and completely immersed in nature. The lake is fed by the pure waters of the springs.

The mirror space of the lake reflects the colors of the surrounding forest. Small boats are provided on the shore of the lake, with which we can sail on the lake. And there is also a nice restaurant on the water.

Goshavank was founded in the 13th century by Mkhitar Gosh, a famous spiritual scholar, proverb writer and jurist of the Middle Ages. The monastic complex consists of several ecclesiastical and secular structures. The jewel and diamond of this group is the incomparable khachkar made in 1291 by the greatest master Poghos, placed at the entrance of the Saint Lusavorich Church. Goshavank was one of the most famous centers of medieval spiritual culture and writing in Armenia. In historical sources, it is mentioned as a college, a university, where many manuscripts were created and kept.

Vernissage is an open market-exhibition in the center of Yerevan, where you will find Armenian handmade masterpieces, exclusive souvenirs and works of art.

In addition to souvenirs and Armenian works of art, you will be surprised, among other things: you'll see old landline telephone, radio and tape recorder parts, vintage crockery, medals and other extremely old items.

If you want to buy a painting, you can also visit another market near the Martiros Saryan monument. It's the Artists' Vernissage.

Here you can get acquainted with the Armenian way of life and feel the real taste of local life.

The Armenian people have been known for centuries for their hospitality traditions, in which rich and diverse cuisine, delicious fruits and vegetables, unique spices and sweets play an important role. Even now, Armenians still preserve the technology of obtaining organic food and the traditional recipes of dishes.

Here you can buy organic dairy products, fruits and vegetables, spices, sweets and more.