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Day tour to Echmiatsin and Zvartnots

  • Classic Tours
  • 1 day
  • Jan - Dec

Description

Etchmiadzin(Vagharshapat) is the spiritual capital of Armenia. Here is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the seat of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the monastery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The main religious building of the monastery is the magnificent Mother Cathedral. It was reconsecrated and reopened in September 2024 after a lengthy renovation.
5 of the 8 monuments of Armenia registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List are located in the territory of Etchmiadzin and in the surroundings. These are Echmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots Temple, Saint Gayane, Saint Hripsime and Shoghakat churches.
The excursion gives an opportunity to see Saint Geghard(Holy Lance or Lance of Longinus) - the iron tip of the lance, with which a Roman soldier had pierced the side of crucified Jesus. It is exhibited in the Museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The oldest restaurant in Armenia, Agape Refectory, is located on the territory of the Mother See. The restaurant, founded in the 17th century, is still in operation today.

1Day

Zvartnots Temple / The "temple of ruins" is listed as a UNESCO heritage site. It was the first circular 3 storey church built in the 7th century. After 3 centuries it was destroyed by an earthquake. Then Armenians started to built more stable rectangular based churches
Ejmiatsin Cathedral / Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church built in 301-303 AD. It is considered to be the oldest cathedral in the world and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
Museum of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin / The Holy Geghard and other Christian relics, as well as numerous valuable examples of Armenian culture, are kept here.
Saint Gayane church / The wonderful Saint Gayane Church was built in the 7th century and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The church is located in the city of Echmiadzin, near the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Agape Refectory / Agape is one of the oldest restaurant in the region with authentic armenian cuisine. It has been founded in the 17th century. The building is protected by UNESCO
Saint Hripsime church / The Saint Hripsime Church was built in 618 in the Echmiadzin city. In 1776, the church was surrounded by walls with a rectangular plan, which were reinforced with circular towers. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Zvartnots Temple
Ejmiatsin Cathedral
Museum of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Saint Gayane church
Agape Refectory
Saint Hripsime church
* The tour is private and the program can be modified according to your preferences.