Starts at 10 am, Ararat region is located at a distance of 60 km from Yerevan. Khor Virap and the ancient city of Artashat are located in the fertile Ararat plain on the left bank of the Araks River overlooking Mount Ararat.
Khor Virap was built on the site of the pagan temple of Anahit, on the 6th upper hill of the ancient city. It was from here that KingArtashes I, the founder of theArtashesiddynasty, built the capital in 189-188. BC, began the reunification of the Armenian lands and reforms in the economy, administrative-political and military system and cultural life.
It was here that Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator), the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was imprisoned for 13 years in a deep dungeon infested with snakes and scorpions. According to legend, King Trdat III became mortally ill and then, in a dream, God appeared to him and told him that if he wanted to recover, he must accept the true faith, for which he first needed to free Gregory. The next morning the king ordered Gregory to be released and brought to him. After the ritual performed by Gregory, the king recovered, after which he and his family converted to Christianity, and then gave full authority to Gregory to begin the spiritual mission of converting the kingdom to Christianity.
The Khor Virap complex includes the ruins of the city of Artashat (citadel, temples, pit, workshops, residential and communal buildings, baths and water supply system). Then we continue to Areni – winemaking center and next in line is the Bird Cave in Areni.
Vayots Dzor region is located at a distance of 110 km from Yerevan. Karst-type cave, with several cultural layers, the oldest of which is approximately 7000-8000 years old. The cave was discovered several years ago by archaeologistBoris Gasparyan. There were many bird nests here, so at first it was called “bird cave”, and then archaeologists gave it a new name — "Areni Cave 1".
After the Cave we visit the private winery Ar Areni, where we will have a tasting of various homemade wines and lunch. After lunch, we finish the excursion with a visit to the nearby temple complexNoravank. It was built in the XIII—XIV centuries. It was founded by BishopHovhannes. Noravank Monastery consists of the churches of Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), St. Karapetand the chapel ofSt. Grigor. On the territory of the monastery there is a huge number of old khachkars. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church was built by the architect Momik and is considered one of his greatest works. Noravank is a unique monument of culture and Christianity, also thanks to the bas-relief depicting God. Church of St. Karapet and chapel ofSt. Grigorwere designed by another architect namedSiranes. There are many khachkars here, which are a unique monument of Armenian art. Noravank is one of the most significant examples of Armenian architecture and one of the most important components of the history of Christianity in the country.
