West of Yerevan
Tour 4:
4.6 Zvartnots
On the way back to Yerevan, one must visit the Zvartnots Archaeological Site, located in the Zvartnots suburb of the city of Vagharshapat. Zvartnots Cathedral is a unique example of early Christian Armenian architecture. The site had been a place of worship also in pre-Christian times.
Zvartnots Cathedral
Zvartnots Cathedral was built by Catholicos Nerses III in 662. The cathedral is referred to as both Zvartnots and St. Grigor Lusavorich by medieval historians. According to tradition, the cathedral was built on the place where Grigor Lusavorich met King Tiridates the Great of Armenia (287-330) and where the king was converted into Christianity and led Armenia to adopt Christianity as the state religion.
Excavations in the area
uncovered Urartian temple
foundations, a sacrificial alter,
and a large cuneiform stone
celebrating the construction
of a large canal system during
the reign of King Russa II (680-639 BC) of Urartu (Ararat). The canal system, connected
to the Hrazdan River, is still in use. A Hellenistic temple to the god of wisdom, culture, science and studies Tir (Apollo) replaced the Urartian structure and stood at the site where King Tiridates the Great met Grigor Lusavorich in 301 AD.
4.3 The Mother See
of Holy Echmiatsin
4.2 Vagharshapat
Churches
4.1 Musaler Memorial ParkMatenadaraCascade
4.4 Marchanents Tourism and Art Centre
4.5 Metsamor Fortress
4.6 Zvartnots