Armenia
August 2022
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Welcome to Armenia! This country has a rich history, with ancient cultural traditions and a legacy of Christianity that dates back to the 1st century AD! Built in the early 4th century AD, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia (cover picture of this section) is considered to be the first Christian cathedral in the world. Today, Armenia is predominantly Christian, with the Armenian Apostolic Church being the national church. The country is also known for its mountain landscapes, ancient monasteries, and churches. Despite being a relatively small country, Armenia has faced political and economic challenges, including tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
I had a great time in Armenia, the locals were very friendly and welcoming and they have a very rich culture and sense of identity. Armenia is a small country, so it's easy to take day trips from Yerevan and explore the surrounding areas.
Get ready for your trip!
Visa: check if you need a Visa for Armenia in their Government's official website. For Europeans, there is a VISA-free entry for up to 180 days.
Currency: The official currency of Armenia is the Armenian Dram (AMD/֏),. 1€ = 427AMD. Check updated currency change in Xe Website before your trip.
Orientative prices: Public transport (metro/bus) is 100AMD per person; having lunch or dinning in a restaurant is 6,000-20,000AMD for 2 people.
Want to visit Armenia but unsure of how much it'll cost? Shoot me an email and I'll provide estimates and assist you in planning your trip!
Vaccines - no extra vaccines are required to enter Armenia
Other helpful tips:
Download the Yandex App for public transport information or ordering taxis.
Bring cash with you for public transportation; the bus fee is 100 dram per person.
While I am not a big fan of organised tours, I have to admit that they are a great option in Georgia and Armenia. The reason is simple: these countries have a lot of interesting places to visit around the capital cities, and relying on public transportation can be time-consuming and challenging (and taxis more expensive). In Armenia, for instance, you can find many historical and religious sites that are not only beautiful but also have fascinating stories behind them. To fully appreciate these places, it's helpful to have a guide who can provide context and answer questions. It was also interesting to interact with people from different backgrounds - most of our fellow travellers were Russian, and the guides spoke both Russian and English fluently.
Of course, tours are not the only option. If you prefer more independence and flexibility, renting a car can be a good choice. However, be aware that it's important to book in advance, especially during peak season, as cars can be in high demand
Dress accordingly - When visiting churches in Armenia, be mindful of the dress code. Some churches may allow visitors in shorts, while others require visitors to cover their legs and hair. Definitely, we felt that the dress code here was less strict that in Georgia.
The weather in Armenia is very dry, so if you go in summer drink a lot of water!
Explore Armenia
(cilck on the pictures)
Yerevan
Day trips from Yerevan
Religion
Armenia is considered the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion, which occurred in the early 4th century under the rule of King Tiridates III. Saint Gregory the Illuminator is credited with curing the king of an illness, leading Tiridates III to convert to Christianity and declare it as the state religion. Today, the majority of Armenians are members of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which traces its origins back to the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus.
One of the main differences in beliefs between the Armenian Apostolic Church and other Christian denominations is the concept of the nature of God. Armenian Christians believe in a unified nature of God, which includes both divine and human characteristics, and do not depict Jesus on the cross with his arms nailed, unlike other Christian denominations.
Moreover, Armenian church architecture is known for its simplicity and dark, somber colours, in contrast to the ornate and bright designs of Catholic churches. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, communication with God is direct, without the need for intermediaries such as priests. As a result, confession is also done directly with God. While many Armenians are practitioners and do attend church, they are not obliged to attend regularly. Instead, it is common for them to bring salt to the church to be blessed and then use it in their homes.
This is the Armenian cross, (also known as the Armenian Apostolic cross or the Armenian Khachkar), symbol of the Armenian Apostolic Church and has significant cultural and historical importance in Armenia. This cross was close to the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.
The political situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan
During our trip to Armenia, our first stop was Yerevan. We arrived by bus from Tbilisi, having crossed not only the Georgian-Armenian border but also, interestingly, the Armenian-Azerbaijani border while already in Armenia. We noticed that there were some transects, just some curves, that were part of Azerbaijan according to Google. This was particularly intriguing since the Armenian-Azerbaijani border has been completely closed due to the ongoing conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This territory is recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan, but it is inhabited by ethnic Armenians. In late 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive to retake control of the region, resulting in a ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia on November 9, 2020. As per the agreement, Azerbaijan gained control of certain territories that were previously under Armenia's jurisdiction in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. Additionally, the Russian military is still in the region as an impartial mediator. As there are territories in Armenia in Azerbaijan and vice-versa, Russian soldiers are present in the corridors between these two countries, so that people can reach the areas without any conflict.
The status of the border remains uncertain, with ongoing disputes and tensions between the two countries. After leaving Armenia, we kept ourselves informed of the situation and learned about reports of sporadic fighting and border clashes. Both countries maintain a heavy military presence in the region, making the situation complex and potentially volatile.
The complexities of the situation between Armenia and its neighboring countries are palpable when visiting Armenia. During our trip, we participated in a free tour where our guide was friendly, open, and highly informative about the situation. As he talked about the ongoing conflict, we noticed curious onlookers watching us, and one woman even stopped next to our guide and interrupted his narrative with her own comments. It was clear that the conflict was a highly sensitive topic and that Armenians have strong feelings about it.
Southern Gas Corridor
The Southern Gas Corridor is a pipeline system that connects Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field to the Turkish border, passing through Georgia. It provides Europe with an alternative to traditional gas pipelines that run through Russia and is a crucial source of energy for the continent. To increase its capacity and ensure a stable supply of gas, Europe has been investing in its expansion. However, the pipeline's construction has been complicated by geopolitical tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. As a result of these tensions, the pipeline does not pass through Armenia, which would be a more direct path between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide (1915-1923) was the systematic extermination of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, resulting in the death of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians. During this period, West Armenia was part of the Ottoman Empire, however, they still were closely linked to their relatives in eastern Armenia and also to Russia, Ottoman's enemies.
The Ottoman government, led by the Young Turks, had long viewed Armenians as a threat and used the war as an opportunity to carry out their plan to eliminate the Armenian population. Armenians were subjected to forced labor, deportation, and mass killings, with many dying from starvation and disease during the death marches to concentration camps in the Syrian desert. Women and children were often separated from their families and subjected to sexual violence and slavery. As a results, West Armenians fled to Armenia and founded cities that are named after the areas where they used to live in Turkey.
The Armenian Genocide is a significant event in Armenian history and has had a lasting impact on the Armenian diaspora worldwide. Despite widespread reports of the atrocities committed against the Armenian people, making the genocide currently recognised by many countries including France, Germany, and Russia, the Ottoman government denied the genocide, and successive Turkish governments have continued to deny the genocide to this day. Therefore, the Armenian Genocide remains a source of ongoing tension between Armenia and Turkey, and borders between these two countries remain closed.
Extension of the Ottoman Empire in 1683AD vs Turkey today. I took this figure from this website. You can see how West Armenia was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Brief remarks about the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire was a vast and powerful empire that existed from the late 13th century until the early 20th century. It was founded by Osman I and grew to encompass parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with Istanbul as its capital (see figure on the left).
The Ottoman Empire was known for its military strength, administrative efficiency, and religious tolerance, allowing different ethnic and religious groups to coexist under its rule. However, as the empire declined in the 19th century, various reform movements emerged, including the Young Turks, who sought to modernize the empire and establish a constitutional government. This eventually led to the Ottoman Revolution of 1908 and the declaration of a constitutional monarchy.
The empire's participation in World War I on the side of Germany ultimately led to its defeat and dissolution. After the war, various nationalist movements emerged in the former Ottoman territories, leading to the establishment of several independent states, including Turkey, which was founded in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Mount Ararat
Mount Ararat is considered a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage for Armenians, often depicted in Armenian art, literature, and music. It has deep historical and religious significance for Armenians, as it is believed to be the resting place of Noah's Ark after the biblical flood. Despite Mount Ararat being a symbol of the Armenian ancestral homeland, it is currently located in Turkey, which has only escalated the tensions between the countries.. The history of the mountain's ownership is complex, but it ultimately came under Turkish control as part of a deal made in 1920 between the Soviet Union and the newly formed Turkish Republic.
Mount Ararat overlooking Yerevan.
Painting by Stepan Aghajanian (1863-1940) of the Ararat mountain and valley - located in the National Gallery in Yerevan.