Places – Page 5 – Little Armenia

By Jonathan Williams

Armenia is a land of both the old and the new. As the first Christian country of Europe and after more than 600 years of bondage to foreign powers, it is indeed one of the most exiting places to be aside from being one of the most historically rich countries in Europe. So if you want a vacation filled with culture, history, relaxation and fun, here are the ten most essential things to do in Armenia:

1.) Ughtasar

How to get to this ancient fortress is even more daunting than its name as only a 4×4 combined with the summer climate can take tourists through the top of the mountainous plateau where it is located. Upon reaching the site, you will see more than 2000 petroglyphs left behind by ancient people depicting scenes of the hunt, ancient rituals and culture. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the view from this site is also terrific.

2.) Erebuni Fortress

The Fortress of Erebuni also holds a treasure trove of artifacts. These artifacts date back to the millennium before Christ. The fortress has been converted into a museum and here you will find around 12,000 items belonging to the ancient civilization that thrived on the land.

3.) Zvartnots Temple

This temple stands testament to Armenia as having the oldest national church in the world. This temple dates back more than 1700 years in the past and has only been recently excavated by a team of archaeologists. On the grounds, you will see not only the ancient church but a museum, cathedral and seminary as well. This place serves as the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

4.) National Gallery

The national gallery serves to hold national treasures such as art from classical to modern times. Not only does it contain Armenian art but western art as well. It was founded on 1919 and has since served as the repository for the country’s cultural items.

5.) Old Dilijan

This quaint country town as situated in the heart of the northern Armenian forest. The town boasts of having been the home of many famous artists, musicians, composers and others. This popular destination attracts tourists because of its early 20th century architecture and its displays of musical instruments and handicrafts.

6.) Ararat Cognac Factory

This serves as the home base for the producer of the most famous brandy maker in the country. The brandy made from this place has become the favorite of people all around the world including the famous Winston Churchill. It is a must-see place.

7.) Matenadaran Institute

It is located at the heart of Yerevan. The Matenadaran Institute houses an impressive collection of handwritten books. It is an imposing edifice guarded by the silent statues of famous Armenian intellectuals such as Mesrp Mashtots, Mkhitar Gosh, Anania Shirakatsi, Toros Roslin, etc.

8.) Gaghard Cathedral

A Church made famous by the fact that it is literally hollowed out of solid rock, the Cathedral of Gaghard is indeed an example of this countries exemplary architecture. The name Geghard literally translates into spear. It is because of the fact that it has housed the spear that has pierced the body of Jesus during His crucifixion.

9.) Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries

Located in the region of Lori and along the banks of river of Debed, these two famous monasteries are some of the World Heritage Sites of Unesco. These two sites serve to remind not just tourists but the people of the country itself of their rich cultural heritage and intellectual achievements. The two sites’ were constructed during the 10th century and has taken hundreds of years to finish.

10.) The Garni Temple

Adorned by two dozen of Ionic columns, this temple stands as a reminder of the countries Hellenistic past. It was constructed as part of a fortress during the third century BC. Protected naturally on three sides by a rocky cliffs and a deep canyon but destroyed several times during the course of history nonetheless, it is likened to the national Spirit of Armenia which inspires its entire people to rebuild.

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV

Article Source: 10 Essential Things To Do When You Visit Armenia

By Andrew Regan

According to Census figures, Glendale in California is home to the largest number of Armenians in the United States, with people of Armenian descent allowing for 40% of the city’s population.

Armenia is a small, landlocked country located in Eurasia, lying east of Turkey and south of Georgia. It is a unitary, democratic nation-state, and former member of the Soviet Union. According to Armenia’s April 2006 Census, the country has a population of just over three million, and is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet Union republics, behind Moldova.

Armenia has a rich and historic culture. It has it’s own language and alphabet, although 76% of its population also speaks Russian, with English also becoming increasingly popular as an additional language. Armenia’s National Art Gallery in its capital city Yerevan hosts over sixteen thousand paintings, dating back to the Middle Ages.

Armenia has it’s own national football team, which was established in 1991, following the split of the Soviet Union, as Armenians had played for the Soviet Union’s team previously. The team is yet to taste any real success, and has never qualified for any major competitions, including the World Cup or European championships. The team is currently number 82 in the FIFA world rankings.

Armenian music is predominantly indigenous folk music, best represented by Djivan Gasparyan, who has become known as the master of the dudek, a woodwind instrument that originated in Armenia. Armenia also has an extensive Christian music scene, not surprising considering Armenia is the oldest Christian nation on Earth. Some Armenians have embraced non-Armenian forms of music to great success, including critically acclaimed UK-based rapper and producer Blade, and innovative heavy metal group System Of A Down, whose members are all of Armenian descent.

Armenia has been producing movies since the 1920s, the most famous of which is Sergei Parajanov’s 1968 art-house film The Colour Of Pomegranates. It was banned in the Soviet Union, but was nonetheless hailed as a masterpiece and influenced by revered art-house film directors Federico Fellini and Jean-Luc Goddard.

Armenia’s vast densely populated landscapes together with its climate wonderfully lend itself to farming, and particularly the growing of crops. Apricots and peaches are both said to have originated from Armenia. Barbecues are also massively popular in Armenia, resulting in most traditional Armenian dishes being based around grilled meat.

This rich and diverse culture is massively reflected in Glendale’s Armenian community. 30% of Glendale’s residents speak the distinctive Armenian language at home and the city is packed with Armenian restaurants, serving authentic Armenian cuisine, such as Tjvjik, a dish of fried liver, kidney and onions, and falsuya, a stew made with lamb and green beans.

There are also several Armenian schools in Glendale, as well as Armenian businesses and community groups and a number of hotels in Glendale available for anyone keen to experience the Armenian way of life in the city for themselves.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

Article Source: Soviet State to United State – Glendale – Little Armenia