Makaleler

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
     In the Ararat Valley, 3 km to the south of Vagharshapat you can find Zvartnots medieval cathedral.

Zvartnots cathedral is believed to have been built by Nerses III Shinogh Catholicos (because of his construction activity Nerses III *** the name "Shinogh" which is translated as "Builder") presumably in 640-652.

Zvartnots Cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 2000. The cathedral was dedicated to St Gregory the Illuminator who was the first Catholicos of the Armenian Church.

Zvartnots stood up to the end of the X century. At the beginning of the XX century, Zvartnots cathedral was still ruined. The cathedral was partially reconstructed. There are many interesting sculptural remnants which surround the main structure.

According to the legend, Zvartnots Cathedral was built at the place where Grigor Lusavorich met and cured the mad king Trdat, so it indicates the conversion of the country to Christianity as the state and the true religion (Armenia was the first nation to accept Christianity as the main religion in 301) .

Recently Zvartnots museum was opened in the southwest corner of the site where you can see interesting artefacts found during the excavation. Entry of the Zvartnots museum is included in the ticket price.

Zvartnots cathedral is open every day and works from 9: 00 am to 5: 30 pm. The entrance fee for kids is 100 AMD (0.25 cent), for adult 250 AMD (40 cents) and 700 AMD ($1.5) for foreigners.

The guided tours cost 1000 AMD ($2, 05) tours in Armenian and 2000 AMD ($4, 11) tours in foreign languages.

Zvartnots is situated on the Vagharshapat–Yerevan Highway, near the village of Ptghunk, 17km from Yerevan and 4km from Echmiadzin. It takes 25 min (19.8 km) via M5 road.

You can find the ruins of the palace of the Catholicos, the wine press and stone tanks of a massive medieval winery around the cathedral area.