A traveler interested in exploring different cultures, their history and art should visit this tiny country which is situated between East and West and the name of which is Armenia.
Immodestly, the Armenians consider themselves direct descendants of Noah the survivor of the Biblical flood. According to Genesis, the boat came to rest on a mountain in the Ararat range. Ararat, located in the heart of Armenia Highland, was a Holy Mountain for the peoples of the ancient world. Many ancient scriptures have placed the Biblical Garden of Eden in the Land of Ararat.
Various tribes lived on the territory of the Armenia Highland who had left us monuments since prehistoric times: instruments, arms made of bone, stone, metal and the most ancient shelters and stone graves. You can also meet them in the districts of Ashtarak, Talin. Berd, Goris and Sisian. The most famous of all the above mentioned is Kromlekh in the village Karahunj which served as observatory in accordance with the researches of academic Paris Heruni. And all these are dated to the VI millennium B.C.
Armenia is the World's first country adopted Christianity as a state religion.
Before the adoption of Christianity Armenian people adored pagan gods and in favor of them pagan temples were built. Only after adopting Christianity in 301 the temples were destroyed and Christian churches were built in their places. Only the pagan temple of Garni still stands.
Over 5000 monuments from prehistoric cave paintings, stonehenges (karahunj in Armenian), irrigational systems, fortresses to Medieval monasteries, secular buildings and khachkars which survived till our days are scattered all over the nowadays Armenia.
Khachkars (“cross-stones”) became one of the characteristic parts and the symbols of Armenian culture. The most common reason for erecting a khachkar was for votive reasons – for the salvation of the soul either a living or deceased person. They were also erected for ether reasons, such as to commemorate a military victory, construction of a church or as a form of protection from natural disasters. Meanwhile the culture of the Armenian people is also expressed on khachkar.
Armenia is frequently called an open-air museum. The original beauty of Armenian churches can be explained because of the harmony with the landscape. To mention just a few of these wonders: Geghard, Noravank, Tatev, Khor Virap, Haghpat and this list can go on and on…