Armenia: Initiation in Wonderland

With a heavy history that has led to a marked identity, Armenia is often too little cited as a tourist destination. Yet it is the homeland of many wonders.

Let us discover a country, which the less afflicted, cannot know. Armenia, historically regarded as a European nation, is still in the region of the small Caucasus in Western Asia and has about 3 million inhabitants. And if the humble country, which serves them as a nest, does not pay a mine, it is there that the forgotten peoples and those who do not forget.

From its capital Yerevan, in which floats a bohemian atmosphere, to its highest perched fairytale lakes, we will travel in this article in the center of the earth, we will take you to the land of wonders.

If it seems that misery is less painful in the sun, it is on the Armenian lands, cradled by the reflections of blue sky, that we invite you to let yourself be tempted by your vagabond ideas.

Erevan, a capital with multiple colors

To start our trip to Armenia, we made the choice of ease, that of setting foot in the capital: Yerevan. Beautiful of a thousand details, marked by history and representative of the country’s atmosphere, Erevan did not take long to seduce us.

Built in 782 before our era, it is one of the the oldest cities in the world . Erevan, an emotional cultural capital, plunges us into a past with severe stories, while keeping an atmosphere with a light charm, to which you can only succumb.

The Rose City...

Our first blow of heart when arriving in the center of Yerevan is architecture. Not grandiose or bluffing, it is especially its color that jumps to our eyes. We understand very quickly, in view of all these facades, why it is nicknamed the Rose City!

Here, most monuments have been raised using volcanic stones, pale pink, giving the city an atmosphere of softness and well-being that words can only convey to you. That one feels well, to stroll through the streets of Yerevan, in the midst of this Armenian population which seems to be in no hurry.

It is difficult to believe that we are in the capital of the country. Although Yerevan is home to more than one million inhabitants, more than one third of the overall population, everything here inspires relaxation. As if, everyone seemed to say, "Take your time."

So especially, take your time, and let yourself be carried by the odors of flowers that will make you tour the 12 districts of Yerevan, until Polishing , its flea market full of colours.

Visit its religious monuments, which will remind you that Armenia is the first country to have adopted Christianity. Be surprised by its references to French culture – including its excellent bakeries – and above all don’t hesitate to succumb to the charms of gastronomy with oriental flavours.

Like the colors that predominate the walls of this capital, give yourself, the time of your stay in Yerevan, the right to see life in pink.

...to black memories

But if the charm of Yerevan pushes us to the stroll and lightness, we cannot forget that it bears a heavy burden. Dark memories that contrast with the soft colours of its historic centre.

On 24 April 1915, more than a century ago, the Armenian people suffered the beginning of the 1st genocide in history. In the space of one year, more than 1.3 million Armenians, of all ages and cultures were sacrificed in the name of human beta. A genocide that is still struggling to be recognized by some Governments, which seem unable to understand that the weight of truth is not heavier than that of shame.

So, to pay tribute to this people, to these sacrificed men, women and children, you can lay a flower in the heart of Tsitsernakaberd the memorial dedicated to their memories. Located on one of the hills of Yerevan, it is composed of 12 granite stele arranged in a circle.

More than a “visit” is a duty of memory than to visit this memorial. A monument to the necessarily heavy atmosphere, where the shadows of the past become so heavy that each step moves into penance. A difficult passage, but from which you cannot go out indifferent.

Discovery of Armenian monasteries: at the origin of Christianity

After our experience but so satisfying in the heart of the Armenian capital, we return to the road. Our goal now: to make you discover the beauty of the Armenian monasteries, which are also a reminder to the history of the country.

Indeed, Armenia is the first nation to have adopted Christianity as an official religion in the fourth century. Therefore, it is here that some of the oldest and most majestic monasteries came out of earth. Then take the road and take the opportunity to appreciate the mountainous wonders that Armenian territory also offers us.

Geghard, the monastery carved in the rock

Our road to the assault of these monasteries makes its first stop in Geghard, about 40 kilometers from Yerevan. Still under the charm of the green landscapes that border the paths leading you there, you will probably be overwhelmed by the force that emerges from this building, barely the eyes placed on it.

Now imagine that its construction began in the fourth century, only with hammers and scissors. Especially, that the first works to build this architectural jewel were... cut into the rock!

It took more than nine centuries to complete all the constructions that make up this monastic complex, both the details are worked on. By losing yourself in the heart of these enchanting tunnels, you can fall on different buildings.

Among them, the church of the Avazan Cave, whose water of its natural source would be a guarantee of healing... In this complex you will find other churches, chapels, and even a library provided with ancient texts.

Haghpat and Sanahin, medieval monasteries

To continue our religiously historical route through Armenia, we take the direction of the North-East this time. Our direction is no other than the sublime province of Alaverdi, a medieval town founded under the impulse of the great Queen Khosravanush.

This is where you will fall on two architectural wonders, both placed under the protection of Unesco: the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin.

Located a few kilometers from each other, you can easily walk through these buildings, which seem to be masters of time. If we do not know their exact dates of construction, it seems, in view of their architecture that they have seen the day during Antiquity.

Since then, they have both resisted earthquakes and other invasions of all kinds. Enjoy the calm reigning here, all around you, and let yourself be caught in the game of exploring these almost divine lands...

The Orthodox monastery of Sanahin offers it a true impression of total abandonment to nature.

The flora, covering part of its roofs, gives it an authentic, natural, timeless side. A reflection of the wild atmosphere that emerges from it, recalling even the abandoned temples lost in the Amazon jungle.

Armenian lakes, a magical journey

Without further delay, after these unforgettable spiritual escapades, we have only one idea in mind: to go to the discovery of Armenian lakes! It is a magical world in which we now invite you, made of land, water, and ice!

Sevan, high lake perched

What a natural wonder that Lake Sevan. Perched at more than 1900 metres of altitude, it is one of the largest lakes in the world, and also one of the highest. Nestled between several mountain ranges, it extends over 78km long, for the greatest happiness of our eyes.

With beaches and hiking trails, the lake and its surroundings offer an atmosphere equal to its water: an exquisite sweetness. When you walk, you may fall on the monastery of Sevanavank. Its location as well as the sublime little path to access adds even more to the fairytale side of the place.

The atmosphere that escaped from the capital Erevan returns to us in the lead, and we murmur this: “Take your time”...

Akna, the Oasis in the middle of the mountains

Located at the foot of Mount Adjahak, Lake Akna is defined by its unexpected, almost unreal beauty. Accessible only after a long trek in the heart of the volcanic mountains of Gegham, it gives the impression of an oasis in the desert.

Arid, raw, almost severe, the place is of rare purity. As if Akna had fallen from the sky, spreading the surrounding mountains to form a gentle crater, bringing tenderness in these landscapes immaculate with all human traces.

Enjoy it to climb at the top of one of his collars, to get closer to the sky. So, breathe, and capture the moment to freeze it in your memories, for it is forever that you wish to remember this amazing atmosphere.

Kari, dragon lake

It is with the legend of Kari Lake that we finish our route in search of the most beautiful lakes in Armenia. Kari, also called « Stone lake » , stone lake, is 3,200 metres above sea level, at the hollow of Mount Aragat.

According to an Armenian legend, 4 dragon brothers lived in another world perched on Mount Aragat. Brothers who could not live without each other. Then, when one of them died, the other three let themselves die. In punishment, they were all transformed after their death into rivers, the dragons of fire, and forced to flow into different directions.

But looking at all costs to get closer, they end up with time by slightly changing the direction of their respective current, going to form a hole in Mount Aragat to join and, together, become Lake Kari.

Today, Kari Lake offers a magical beauty, even more when winter has fallen. The 4 snowy summits of Mount Aragat which surrounds it then offer a decor worthy of a film of Miyazaki . The lake, frozen, becomes a reflection of a sky that blends with the blessed land that borders us.

This blessed land does not end here, on the contrary of our article. Take the time to discover all the facets that Armenia offers, its landscapes, its history and its people. From the creation of its alphabet to preserve the texts of ancient Greeks, to the discovery of the gorges of Garni that is surnamed “the symphony of stones”, Armenia is a treasure of culture with infinite riches, a true country of wonders.