Armenia: Holidays and Climate
Public holidays
Date | Holiday |
January 1st and 2 | New Year |
6th January | Christmas |
8th of March | International Women’s Day |
March April | Easter |
7th of April | Mother’s Day |
April 24 | Remembrance day of the Turkish genocide of 1915 |
May 9 | day of the victory |
28th of May | First Republic Day |
5th July | Constitution Day |
21st September | independence Day |
December 7 | Remembrance day for the earthquake victims |
Source: Countryaah – Armenia Holidays
Events
The international film festival “Golden Apricot”, initiated by the Armenian-Canadian director Atom Egoyan, has been taking place in Yerevan every summer since 2004.
General information on the climate
Armenia has a predominantly continental climate with hot dry summers and cold winters. In the higher altitudes, the temperatures are generally a little cooler and on the border with Iran there is a very dry subtropical climate.
Climate table
Month | Average number of rainy days | Mean maximum temperatures (°C) | Mean minimum temperatures (°C) |
January | 08 | 01 | -08 |
February | 08 | 01 | -06 |
March | 08 | 10 | at 0 |
April | 12 | 17 | 07 |
May | 12 | 19 | 11 |
June | 06 | 24 | 13 |
July | 03 | 30 | 17 |
August | 03 | 31 | 18 |
September | 04 | 28 | 12 |
October | 06 | 19 | 04 |
November | 07 | 10 | 02 |
December | 09 | 05 | -03 |
Armenia: sightseeings
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that AM stands for the nation of Armenia as a two-letter acronym.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Etchmiadzin
The town, located near Yerevan, was the capital of Armenia between 180 and 340 AD and is still a religious center of the country. There are many important sacred monuments here, such as the Etchmiadzin Cathedral – a prime example of classical Armenian architecture.
It was built in 303 on the foundations of a pagan temple and is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.
Geghard Monastery
The buildings, located in a gorge 35 km east of Yerevan, were carved out of the rock face in the 13th century and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. They are equipped with valuable carvings and stone carvings. A spring flows from one of the rock chapels.
Haghpat and Sanahin
Monasteries The monasteries were founded around 960 AD by Queen Khosrowanush. San-a-hin, means: “that is older”. The monastery complex is therefore older than Haghpat. The center of the monastery is the library. It is a gem of architecture. Sanahin is characterized by this library as a place of spiritual life. Haghpat Monastery, on the other hand, was a fortified monastery. It is systematically embedded in the mountain landscape.
The oldest sacred building is the church, which is called “The Holy Sign.” The monasteries are separated by a gorge, but connected by a bridge The bridge dates from the 12th century and is an architectural feature of that time.
Haghpat and Sanahin were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003.
Yerevan (Yerevan)
The Armenian capital Yerevan, located on the Hrasdan River, was founded around 2,800 years ago and is therefore one of the oldest cities in the world. When the weather is clear, there is a wonderful view of Mount Ararat in a westerly direction: This “Mount of Fate of the Armenians”, on which the Old Testament Noah’s Ark is said to have landed, rises about 65 km from Yerevan on what is now Turkish territory. Despite arguments to the contrary, the founding of the city of Yerevan most likely goes back to the Urartian military fortress Erebuni, which was built in 782 BC. Was founded by King Argišti I in the area of today’s Armenian capital. Their remains, which have been studied by Armenian and Russian archaeologists since 1947, are now enthroned on the Arin-Berd hill.
Museums
Armenian National Gallery in Yerevan
It was founded in 1921, the Armenian National Gallery on Republic Square, which includes famous works by Armenian artists. The collection begins with medieval exhibits and consists of around 19,000 works of art.
Children’s art gallery in Yerevan
The collection consists of over 100,000 works by children between the ages of 3 and 16 from 130 countries.
Historical Museum of Yerevan
The exhibition on Armenian history includes exhibits from prehistory to the present day, including a collection of tools from the Stone and Iron Ages.
Churches
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
This prime example of classical Armenian architecture was built in 303 on the foundations of a pagan temple and is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.
More information above under UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral in Etchmiadzin
The imposing building from the 7th century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Basilica in Aparan
The oldest basilica in the country was built in the 4th century.
Odsun Basilica
The remarkable domed basilica originally dates from the 6th century and was later rebuilt. Katoghike in Yerevan The oldest (and probably also the smallest) church in Yerevan was built in the 13th century as a cross-domed church made of tuff stone and designed in the typical Armenian style. Church of St. Gayane in Etchmiadzin The church, built in 630, is located in Etschmiedsin, which was the capital of Armenia from 180 to 340.
Church of St. Hripsime in Etschmiadzin
This majestic church was built in 618.
Church of St. Shoghakath in Etschmiadzin
This Christian sanctuary dates from the 17th century.
Churches Karmrawor, Tsiranawor and Spitakawor in Ashtarak
These three churches in the place on the slope of the Aragaz were built between the 5th and the 7th centuries.
Sorawar Church in Yerevan
Another imposing church in Yerevan is the Sorawar Church with eight apses, which was built between 1691 and 1705.
Sourp Krikor Lusavorich Cathedral of Yerevan Dedicated
to St Gregory the Enlightened, the city’s cathedral was completed in 2001 to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia as a Christian nation. The church was equipped with 1,700 seats (!) And contains the relics of St. Gregory, which were returned to the Armenian Church by the Vatican in 2001.
Monasteries
Geghard Monastery
More information about the monastery above under UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Goshavank Monastery
The building dates from the 10th to 13th centuries and contains valuable stone carvings.
Kobajr Monastery
This religious building from the 12th century contains particularly beautiful wall paintings.
Marmaschen Monastery
North-west of Gyumri is this monastery from the 10th and 13th centuries.
Noravank Monastery
The building contains relief representations that are particularly worth seeing.
Sevan Monastery
The monastery, located on a peninsula in the lake, was built between the 9th and 13th centuries and previously served as a place of exile for the Armenian nobility.
Tatev Monastery in Syunik
This is one of the most beautiful monastery complexes in the country. The associated Peter and Paul Church, a domed basilica, was built from 895 to 906. Another attraction is the so-called rocking stele, it has an openwork cross on the top.
Khor Virap Monastery
The monastery is located in the province of Ararat close to the border with Turkey below Mount Ararat, which belongs to Turkey.
On the hill was 180 BC. The former Armenian capital Artaxata was established by Artaxias I, the founder of the Artaxid dynasty. Artaxias ruled from 190 to 160 BC. AD.
The monastery located on a hill dates from the 17th century, from the Mother of God Church from 1661 and the Catholicos of Narses III. 642 donated St. George’s Chapel. Narses III. ruled from 641 to 661 AD. For a time there was a theological seminar and the residence of the Catholicos in the monastery.
Psalms Monastery in Sagmosawank
The building was built in the 13th century on the edge of a ravine.
Agartsin Monastery, east of Dilizan
The main church of the medieval monastery complex from the 10th century is decorated with decorative sculptures that are well worth seeing. Sanahin Monastery The Christian sanctuary, built from the 10th to the 13th century, is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Vorotavank fortress monastery
This imposing fortress monastery is an architectural child of the 10th century.
Hachbat Monastery
This cultural monument, dating from the 10th to the 13th century, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2003.
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque of Yerevan (poor. Kapuyt Mzkit) in Yerevan was built in the 18th century and once served as the city’s main mosque. When the Russians conquered Yerevan in 1827, it was the largest of eight existing Islamic churches. The Blue Mosque now consists of the main prayer hall, a library and a madrasse with 28 cells. All of these cultural features spread around a large courtyard, so that the entire complex fills an estimated 7,000 m². The mosque, which was subjected to major restoration work in the 1990s, only has a minaret.
Pagan sun temple in Garni
The temple, originally built in the 1st century AD in the Hellenistic style, is located on the Azat River between Geghard and Yerevan. It was restored in 1978. A Roman bathhouse with a well-preserved mosaic floor has been excavated near it.
Genicide memorial, cemetery
Memorial to the victims of the genocide of 1915 in Yerevan (Genocide Memorial)
The memorial to the 1.5 million victims of the genocide of 1915 is located on the Yerevan hill Zizernakaberd (swallow fortress). It is composed of twelve basalt steles, which – as if mourning – lean over an eternal fire. They are supposed to represent the twelve Wileiets in western Armenia. Another pointed mast rising towards the sky symbolizes the rebirth of the Armenian people or Eastern Armenia. There is another long wall nearby, the Wall of Silence. The Genocide Museum on the slope of the hill was founded in 1995 and shows documents and photos about the history of the preparation and implementation of the genocide by government circles in Turkey.
Cemetery in Noratus, on Lake Sevan
There are numerous cross stones that date from the 7th to 17th centuries. In addition to the flower cross, sun shield and the representation of the tree of life, they are provided with various ornaments.
Opera and theater
Armenian National
Academy for Opera and Ballet Established in 1933, the Armenian National Academy is now located in a theater building that was built in 1940 by the architect Alexander Tamanian. Shortly after the theater was founded, a ballet troupe was added, which is still an important part of the cultural institution today. Since its inception, the theater has shown more than 200 different operas and ballets by Armenian, Russian and Western European composers.
Yerevan
Opera Theater The Yerevan Opera Theater was built between 1926 and 1953 by the architect Alexander Tamanian and is related to post-war plans to completely transform the city of Yerevan. The city’s opera theater includes the Aram Chatchaturian Concert Hall, the National Theater of Opera, and the Alexander Spendiarian Ballet.
Fortresses
Amberd Fortress on Mount Aragats
The building is located at an altitude of 2,300 m below the peaks of the mountain and was built between the 9th and 11th centuries.
Baghaberd Fortress
This permanent castle in the Syunik province dates back to the 4th century.
Ruins of the Erebuni fortress in Yerevan
It must have been very magnificent once, built by the Urartartian King Argišti I in 782 BC. Erebuni fortress built in BC. Their remains, which have been studied by Armenian and Russian archaeologists since 1947, are now enthroned on the Arin-Berd hill. According to some researchers, the castle was even the namesake of today’s city of Yerevan. Whoever visits the Erebuni Fortress today can, among other things, visit the castle, which was built around a garden in the center of the fortress. The royal rooms used to be in the right part of this castle. As for the rest of the fortress, it consists of pantries, guest rooms and a small temple.
More Attractions
Mother Armenia (poor. Mayr Hayastan) in Yerevan
The female personification of Armenia stands as a 50 meter high monument in Victory Park and in 1967 had displaced a gigantic statue of Joseph Stalin. The statue of Mother Armenia designed by Ara Harutyunyan symbolizes peace through strength and was placed on a hill in such a way that it overlooks the entire city of Yerevan. Therefore it has almost a protective meaning. Inside the statue is the Ministry of Defense’s Mother Armenia Museum.
By the way: every May 9th, thousands come to commemorate the Armenian war dead in the shadow of the statue.
Play City near Yerevan
This amusement park was set up on the road to Sevan. Play City consists of a bowling arena, a cinema, rooms for video games, go-kart tracks and much more.
Zvartnots
Zvartnots, where the international airport of Armenia is located, is about 10 kilometers from Yerevan and is particularly famous for the ruins of an earlier palace church that was built there in the 7th century.
Waterworld near Yerevan
This water park consists of several swimming pools, jacuzzis, hammams, fitness rooms, bars and restaurants. The park, which used to be closed between October and May, can now be visited all year round thanks to the construction of an indoor facility (called Aquatek).
Zoratz Karer at Sisian
Here you have to do with the Armenian answer to the British “Stonehenge”. This historically extremely interesting formation consists of 204 upright, circularly arranged basalt stones that go back to the Bronze Age. In the vicinity of Zoratz Karer you can visit prehistoric cave tombs.
Natural beauties, Lake Sevan
Nature reserve in Tavush
The area is mostly covered by forests and is also known as “Armenian Switzerland”. Over 240 species of birds live here.
Jermouk
The popular health resort, located at an altitude of 2,100 m, has hot mineral water springs.
Sevan Lake
The lake, located at an altitude of 2,000 m in the mountains, is a popular destination. With an area of approx. 940 km², the Seewansee is by far the largest lake in Armenia; it is located less than 60 km northeast of Yerevan. It suffered a fate similar to that of the Aral Sea, since its area and thus the volume of water has also decreased significantly due to excessive extraction. At the beginning of the 1960s it covered an area of around 1,425 km².