Yerevan, Armenia

Today is your last day exploring Armenia. If you thought you were going to have an easy day, forget it…..there are churches, stairs and walking. Ready?

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. It was designed to be a system of interconnecting circles connecting different zones within the city with pedestrian access right through the centre of the city. The main government buildings would form a circle around a central square and then other important buildings would fan out from here. The vision of the designer hasn’t exactly happened but one thing, the Cascades has. This was visioned to be a tiered structure with gardens, museums and art spaces for the people to use .  It gives  easy access to the hill at one end of the valley the city sits within as well

 

The Cascades is a modern art museum displaying sculpture and art creations from around the world. Which are your favourites and did you see the ones inside near the escalators? Oh you didn’t see the escalators, they go all the way up to the second level from the top.

 

 

I know  you would like to spend hours here but it’s time to go to the Manuscript Museum called Matenadaran. Armenia as you know, has been invaded and been the battle ground for warring countries through the centuries.

 

Its people have always been aware of the importance of keeping their own history alive so they have hidden many works . This has prevented them from being destroyed . These are now displayed in one place and include Greek, Persian and Arabic manuscripts in the main collection. There are temporary displays of works from around the world as well. There are so many manuscripts aren’t there….did you see the largest and smallest. Some of the illustrations are amazing especially when you consider when they were completed.

Now on the same history vein, we are off to visit Echmiadzin Cathedral. Yes it is a church…well more like a complex as it has a library ,seminary and various accommodation and chapels. You will be impressed I assure you.

During the Soviet period, the church was allowed to remain active. However, all the murals were whitewashed so the church was uninviting. These have down been restored and photos can not do them justice, can they?

Now the treasury is not quite what people think of …coins, jewels , crowns and so on.They are religious objects that are believed to hold a religious relic from a saint or an event. Yes there are precious stones but that is not their prime value to believers

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So many beautiful objects.

Apart from a walk around the market and to see public buildings, we are going to see the ruin of a church they have discovered…but first….I couldn’t resist these candid shots.

Priests in Armenia can be wage earners and marry, or they can be celibate and accept promotions.

Zvartnots Cathedral is part of an archaeological site. The church was part of a big complex with accomodation,wine making and other facilities. It was 3 stories high and supported by decorated columns.

 

Time to head home. See you soon.