TravelswithCharie

Ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral (Cathedral of the Angels) Zvartnots Cathedral was a three-storey circular structure built in the 7th century by Nerses III on the very spot where St. Gregory the Illuminator converted King Tiridates III of Armenia to Christianity.  Its beauty captivated the Byzantine Emperor, Constantine III, so much so, that he brought the builder with him to Constantinople to create a similar structure there. Unfortunately, the builder died along the way.  Zvartnots stood for nearly 300 years. By the 10th century, it was in ruins. It is not certain how it was destroyed. A strong earthquake may have caused its collapse or it may also have been due to continued Arab raids. There’s a debate among scholars on the reason why a building constructed to last a millenia only lived a third of its “warranty”.   The Zvartnots archaeological site also includes the Catholicos Palace ruins. The complex together with Etchmiadzin Cathedral were inscribed as a UNESCO World He...

Former Foreign Affairs Government House on Republic Square Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Its beginnings can be traced to the 8th century BC when Erebuni Fortress was founded as the administrative and religious center of the Urartian kingdom. The name Yerevan evolved from Erebuni. After a long history under the rule of the Safavid (Persian) Empire, the Soviet Empire, the Ottoman Turks and the Soviet Union and after having been destroyed by an earthquake in 1679 and its population annihilated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915, Yerevan is the proud capital of Armenia today. The Pink City as Yerevan is referred to, was transformed in the early 2000s when new structures and businesses rose especially in the city center. Republic Square with its unique pink hued structures has been designated as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. It is not only elegant, it is also well loved by locals who flock to the square to enjoy its fountains and views ...

  The Garni Temple was built in the first century AD, during the reign of King Tiridates I of Armenia. It is believed to have been dedicated to the pagan god Mihr (Mithra), who is associated with fire . Other scholars suggest that Garni was built as a tomb or mausoleum. One of the theories advanced by some scholars is that a pagan temple could not have survived after Armenia became a Christian state in the fourth century AD.  The elegance  of Garni Temple comes from the fusion of architectural styles and building materials of these three cultures, Hellenistic, Roman and Armenian. Twenty-four Ionic columns are inspired by classical Greek architecture. The structure incorporates arches and vaults which are of Roman origin. The temple is built with local basalt stone which was carved and fitted together without using mortar. The second important element of this Temple is its location. It sits on a promontory above Garni Gorge with views of surrounding mountains. A symbiosis ...