WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT ARMENIA
Centuries-old history, culture and traditions of the Armenian people
The history of Armenia goes back into the depth of centuries and millennia.
According to old Armenian mythology, the endonym "Hay" (pronounced [ˈhaj] derives from the name of Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians.
The legend has it that in 2492 BC Hayk led a group of 300 warriors and their families from Mesopotamia to the shores of Lake Van and founded an Armenian state in the vicinity of Mount Ararat with the borders stretching around the three largest lakes of the Armenian Highlands – Van, Urmia and Sevan.
The Kingdom of Armenia reached the height of its power under the rule of Tigran II the Great (95-55 BC). During his reign the kingdom expanded to the west reaching the Mediterranean Sea and bordering Egypt and to the east up to the Caspian Sea. Tigran II the Great took the title of “king of kings”, which was earlier used by the rulers of Parthian Empire. He founded a new capital, Tigranakert, and for a long time successfully resisted the attempts of Roman expansionism. More information...
Christianity, ancient churches and monasteries
the fact that Armenia is the first country that has adopted Christianity as a state religion has become known to the wider public after the massive celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of the event in 2001.
But Christianity came to Armenia much earlier than 301 AD. According to the church tradition, the first preachers of Christ’s teachings in Armenia were apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew who are considered the founders of the church in Armenia. They came to Armenia at different times and preached independently of one another. But legend has it that they met once in an Armenian settlement, which in memory of that meeting was named Otyats Khach (the Refuge of the Cross).
It is precisely for this reason, the preaching of Christianity in Armenia by the two of the twelve direct pupils of Jesus Christ, that the Armenian Church is called Armenian Apostolic Church. More information...
Unique nature, mountainous landscapes and pristine places
Most often Armenia is called “the country of stones” or “the country of mountains”. Actually here one can see mountains almost everywhere, and some 40% of the territory is situated at 2100 m above the level of the sea. And believe, these mountains and stones have а special charm and are full of their own poetry and music. No wonder that such an astonishing natural rock formation as “Symphony of stones” is found precisely in Armenia.
If you arrive at the Yerevan Zvartnots airport and the weather is fair, then you get to enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of majestic and snow-capped Ararat just getting off the plane. More information...
Rich Armenian cuisine, abundance of fruits and vegetables
Armenian cuisine is one of the oldest in Europe; it thrives on ancient culinary traditions of the Armenian people. The cuisine reflects the history and geography of the Armenian settlements as well as has traces of the cultural influence from Europe and the East.
So what exactly characterizes traditional Armenian cuisine? First of all, Armenians focus on the quality and freshness of the ingredients rather than the spices.
Secondly, Armenians more than anyone else love using fruits and nuts: dried apricots, fresh quince and apples, pomegranate seeds, walnuts, almonds, pistachios and pine-nuts. Thirdly, Armenians rarely use dried spices, giving preference to fresh herbs. More information...