Armenia

Armenia only has a small population actually living in the country . Its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed. This limits its trading partners to Iran, Georgia and through Georgia , Russia. It was occupied by Russia and supplied mainly minerals. Agricultural products and wine are its main exports . We are only here for 3 days so it may be spending time in the bus to see the main UNESCO sites…..it will give you time to catch up on your sleep. First stop…you guessed it a monastery.

Monasteries in Armenia were built in isolated spots. This was to give protection to the monks and those who studied them. They were often fortresses. Hagpat Monastery was built in medieval times. It was abandoned during Soviet times but now is active again.
The front is square and is an entrance hall. Yes they are grave stones you are walking on but that is so you remember them. Cute idea but I feel like saying sorry every time I walked on them.

Its hard because the whole floor is covered.

The churches are quite plain. Step into the actual church.

 

The Armenian cross is actually the tree of life as you move from one life to another.

It is certainly different from the other churches we have seen….,more personal and less cluttered do you think.

Just for something different,,,we are off to Lake Sevan. This is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Someone had the bright idea to use it for hydroelectricity and agriculture. The result was the lake dropped considerably in depth and swampy land was created. This is now being corrected so no further damage is caused. It is the main water supply for the population.

Look at the view from here clips near the lake.

Queen khosrovanuysh had two sons. She organised Hagpat and Sevanavank Monastery to be built.

The lake used to come right up to the walls of the Sevanavanak monastery and it could only be reached by boat. Sadly because the water has dropped, its stairs for us.

A change of scenery as we travel across the plains of Ararat. It goes from beautiful green to dry hills in the shadow of Mount Ararat in Turkey  in the distance.

 

 

And here we are at Khor Virap an Armenian monastery.

Again it was in an isolated area overlooking the plains. It was a fortress and of course has been damaged over the centuries. Ararat was once a capital and this was the main church.

 

 

 

It is a shame we are visiting these churches on a holiday. They are quite small inside and the warm intimate atmosphere that comes with this is lost with a crowd of people, especially ones that have to talk loudly

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A church of a different kind….a pagan temple. This is your chance to see a miniature Parthenon without cling to the real one.

 

Last monastery for the day. This one has survived earthquakes and has a medieval prison right in the church

The story goes that St Gregory was imprisoned in a 6 metre hole in the ground, for many years and survived. He prayed for the king who was then converted to Christianity.  I know you wanted to climb down the ladder but there was too many people in the queue. The caves have been used as chapels and refuges in time of trouble.

Have you noticed the churches are quite dark? There is usually a few high up windows and a hole in the dome but that’s it.

I have church overload. Tomorrow we are in the capital Yerevan. We will be seeing the main cathedral but seeing some of the city as well ( hopefully ).