Top Ancient Armenian Temples – A detailed guidebook

Armenia is a country where churches and temples with a thousand-year history have been preserved. For the nation, the religion has always served as a symbol of Armenian identity, which Armenians have repeatedly defended under the pressure of enemies. Our selection includes the top ancient Armenian temples that have reached our days through centuries and preserved unique relics.

Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin

Address: Armavir province, city of Vagharshapat Echmiadzin Cathedral was built by Gregory The Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in the 4th century. It appeared on the foundation of a pagan temple and became a symbol of the change in religion.

According to legend, St. Gregory could not choose a place to build a cathedral for a long time. But in a dream he saw a vision in which Jesus indicated where the temple should be built. Throughout its existence, the cathedral has been subjected to destruction for multiple times. But it was always restored. Moreover, the current appearance of the temple completely repeats Gregory The Illuminator's original plan.

Mother Cathedral of Echmiadzin

Along with the cathedral, one can also find on the complex grounds:

1. Museum of Medieval Art. Unique exhibits are kept there: the tip of the spear used by the Roman soldier to sting Jesus Christ's side, a fragment of Noah's Ark, the shoulder blade of John The Baptist.
2. Echmiadzin Printing House. The printing house, founded in the year of 1772, is operating till today.
3. Palace of the Catholicos. It is located in the courtyard of Echmiadzin Monastery.
4. Theological Academy of Holy Echmiadzin. It trains clergy, continuing the centuries-old traditions of spiritual education.

The complex is located 20 km from Yerevan. One can get to the Holy city by bus, car or else by train. From Yerevan Central Bus Station, routes 202, 203 go there. If one prefers railway, then it is needed to take a train, the Yerevan-Araks or Yerevan-Gyumri route.

Garni Temple

Address: Kotayk province, Garni village The structure, built of gray basalt, survived many eras and existed until 1679, until a strong earthquake destroyed it. The historical building was restored only in 1966-1976.

The place where the temple is located deserves special mention. It stands on a hill with impressive views of the mountains and the gorge. Therefore, having come here, one can also enjoy the beauty of nature.

50 m away from Garni Temple there are ancient baths dating back to the 3rd century. The most valuable object on their territory is the mosaic floor, elements of which have been preserved unchanged. The distance from the capital of Armenia to Garni is 30 km. One can overcome it by car or else by buses 266 and 284. They depart from the Gai Bus Station. Travel time is around 40 minutes.

Garni

Zvartnots Temple

Address: Armavir province, Vagharshapat community It was in 643, that the temple began to be built. And 9 years later it was consecrated in the name of Gregory The Illuminator. The Byzantine Emperor Constantine II attended the solemn ceremony. He was so impressed by the structure that wanted to rebuild a similar temple in Constantinople.

In the 10th century, the relic was destroyed. Scientists still cannot come to a consensus about what caused the destruction of the temple. According to one version, it was the earthquake. And according to another one, it was man-made destruction by Arab conquerors.

Zvartnots

Only one thing is known – for many centuries the remains of the unique structure have laid under the cover of the earth. And only in 1901-1907 excavations were carried out, which allowed the ruins of the temple to be extracted.

During the excavations, the ruins of the temple, the patriarchal palace, residential buildings, as well as winepress were cleared of soil. And in 1937, a museum was opened next to the complex. One can see there:

• the sculptural fragments of the temple complex;
• medieval clay jugs;
• ancient bas-reliefs.

Zvartnots is located 7 km from the city of Vagharshapat. Thus, one can get to the temple by any bus that goes from Yerevan to Vagharshapat (Echmiadzin complex). For instance, 202 and 203. It is needed to get off a few stops earlier.

Yereruyk Basilica

Address: Shirak province, Anipemza village The architecture of the building has antique motifs, it resembles ancient Greek and Roman structures. The level of preservation is stunning: the roof and internal supports were destroyed, while the walls and domes, as well as decorative elements, look great in the 21st century. The temple was built of durable red tuff, even ancient inscriptions carved on it (excerpts from psalms) have been preserved. During excavations, many graves of infants were found here: it is believed that parents buried unbaptized children in the cemetery near the temple. In this way, they hoped that God would protect and accept them into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yereruyk

Armenian architect Toros Toramanyan participated in the excavations of the basilica and made reconstruction drawings. And in 2024, there began restoration work on the temple. The U.S. Embassy Cultural Heritage Fund allocated a grant of 175 thousand dollars to strengthen the foundation and walls. The Armenian specialists do not plan a complete reconstruction of the building; the aim is to preserve it in its current state. The closest city to the basilica is Armavir. From there one can take a taxi or a train to "Ani" station, and then one more taxi to the temple.

Khor Virap Monastery

Address: Ararat province, Lusarat village However, Khor Virap is not only about beautiful nature, but also a place with a rich history. It was founded in 624 in Ayrarat province, Armenia. It hosted a theological school, and also served as the residence of the Armenian Catholicos.

Khor Virap

In the 17th century, Khor Virap was reconstructed, expanded and surrounded by stone walls. From that time on, it received the status of a monastery and never changed its architectural appearance.

Today, visitors of the monastery complex can observe the dungeon and imagine the conditions in which Gregory The Illuminator was kept. The prison is around 4.5 m wide and is located 6 m underground.

Another historical building on the territory of the complex is the church of the Holy Mother of God, dating back to 1662. It differs from most Armenian churches in being oriented to the North and South. One can get to Khor Virap from Yerevan by car or by bus 467. The bus departs from the station located next to the metro station "Sasuntsi David". The travel time is just over 1 hour.

Haghartsin Monastery

Address: Dilijan National Park

Haghartsin Monastery is located 15 km from the city of Dilijan. It rises on a steep slope of the Ijevan ridge and on all sides is surrounded by mountains. The monumental monastery complex surrounded by rocks and oak-beech forests looks beautiful any time of the year. The complex reached the peak of its development in the 12th-13th centuries, when the abbot of the monastery was Khachatur Taronatsi, a famous church figure, poet and musician of Armenia. During his time, the first conservatory in the country was opened on the territory of Haghartsin.

Haghartsin

On the territory of the monastery one can see:

1. Saint Grigor Church. The oldest building on the territory of the complex, built in the 9th-10th centuries.
2. Saint Astvatsatsin Church, built in 1281. It is the largest and the main building of the monastery.
3. Saint Stepanos Church, built in 1244. A miniature copy of the Saint Astvatsatsin Church.
4. Refectory. It was built in 1248. Used for concerts and receptions.

In addition, a 13th-century chapel, a burial vault of the Bagratuni Dynasty, as well as several khachkars (cross-stones) have been preserved in Haghartsin. Haghartsin is located 13 km from Dilijan. The most convenient way to get there is by car, taxi or else with a tour group. If one prefers to use public transport, then it is needed to take the 020 marshrutka in Dilijan and reach Teghut village. From there to Haghartsin it will be needed to cover 6 km on foot or by taxi.