Close up of tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions (Photo by Stephanie Moore, My Armenia Program, Smithsonian Institution and USAID)
Close up of tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions (Photo by Stephanie Moore, My Armenia Program, Smithsonian Institution and USAID)
Jewish Cemetery, Yeghegis
Today Armenia is primarily known as a Christian nation, as it was one of the first kingdoms to have accepted Christianity. But contrary to popular belief, it once hosted a surprising amount of religious diversity. During the medieval era, the Silk Road brought people of many cultures and faiths through Armenia and Vayots Dzor.
The tombstones in this cemetery, dating from 1266 to 1337, belong to a small Jewish community that lived in the medieval city of Yeghegis. Unfortunately, little historic evidence exists in regards to this Jewish community and similar religious and ethnic communities throughout Armenia at that time.
Many of the tombstones display Hebrew text as well as biblical and Talmudic verses. The names of some of the deceased reflect names popular amongst Jews of Iran, suggesting an Iranian origin of the Jewish community buried at this site.
Historical Attractions