Echmiatsin and Zvartnots

The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots are two prime examples of Armenian church design.

Echmiatsin is the center of the Armenian Church. It locates the Echmiatsin Cathedral, which was built in 480 (making it the most ancient church in Armenia).

Zvartnots dates from the 7th century, and was built to surpress the Echmiatsin Cathedral in grandeur. This complex consists of a temple and the palace of Catholicos Nerses III. Presumably, the architect if Zvartnots knew of Syrian and Byzantine structures.

Map of Echmiatsin and Zvartnots

Community Reviews

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Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 29-Dec-22 -

I'm not impressed but I don't really dislike it either. It's easy to see these as they are 10 minute drive from the airport. Use one of the ride apps to get a car to drop you off easily. Echmiatsin is the easiest because it's the town of Vagharshapat itself, with a hotel directly across the traffic circle if you want a convenient place to stay (Richmind, cheap and comfy). Unfortunately as you can see from my picture it was closed for renovation.

While the infrastructure is not bad in any way, the Armenian style churches are not special enough in this area. So I think it was more inscribed due to "imported" structure knowledge at the time to show culture moving around the world/regions - I don't find that fancy enough for a world heritage. Because it's an easy visit (oh no she said "easy" again?!) I would recommend throwing it on your itinerary even for non-WHS enthusiasts.

Zvartnots is best done on the way to/from Yerevan and it won't take you long to see everything either (I didn't say "easy"!), it's got ancient ruins from the old buildings and a better view because there is no town surrounding the site. So once again, don't expect to spend much time here and don't have high hopes of seeing something fantastic either.

William Dunbar

UK - 18-Jul-10 -

Echmiadzin and Zvarnots are a little underwhelming, especially compared to other monuments in Armenia. I would recommend Gerghard and Khor Virap as more interesting trips if you are staying in Yerevan. The museum in the main cathedral at Echmiadzin does have some interesting exhibits, but the main museums in Yerevan are better.

Els Slots

The Netherlands - 25-May-05 -

I visited this site (Echmiatsin, to be precise) twice during my stay in Armenia. The first time when fresh out of the plane, the second time after travelling around Armenia for a week. At first, I found the main cathedral a bit sober, but it's exuberant compared to others around the country.

Zvartnots is a completely different sight. In ruins and with snow-clad mountains in the background, it looks like a classic Greek temple in the Peloponnesos. Later I saw a reconstruction of what it could have looked like before demolition, and that was definitely more like a typical Armenian cathedral.

On my second visit, I also went to Surp Hripsime (shown in the big photo above): a 6th-century church about 2 km. from the main Echmiatsin complex. It's a bit big and bulky, but nice.

Solivagant

UK -

Echmiatsin is the “Rome” or “Canterbury” of the Armenian Church being the home of the Katholikos of All Armenians and his cathedral. As such it is clearly an important site. The town is a relatively short drive from Yerevan and is an automatic excursion for anyone who visits the capital. The archaeological remains of Armenia’s 7th century cathedral at Zvartnots are just outside the town and will be passed on the road to/from Yerevan.

I personally didn’t find these 2 sites particularly memorable – certainly less so than the other 2 ecclesiastical WHS. The Zvartnots remains hinted at little in the way of the possible former glories of the site and the Cathedral has undergone a lot of later development and its siting close to the town centre among gardens lacks the drama and scenery of the other sites.

That morning in Yerevan we had visited the Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts), which is inscribed on another UNESCO list “The Memory of the World Register”, and the Genocide Memorial. Both were far more memorable. (Visited Jul 2000)

Community Rating

48 Votes 3.12 Score

Site Info

Full Name: The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Unesco ID: 1011
Country: Armenia
Inscribed: 2000
Type: Cultural
Criteria: 2 3
Categories: Religious structure - Christian
Link: By ID

Site History

2000 Inscribed

Site Links

Unesco Website

The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots

Official Website

Echmiadzin

Zvartnots

Locations

The site has 6 locations

Echmiatsin and Zvartnots: Mother Cathedral of Echmiatsin and surrounding constructions Echmiatsin, Armavir Marz, Armenia

Echmiatsin and Zvartnots: Church Saint Gayaneh and surrounding buildings

Echmiatsin and Zvartnots: Cemetery of Congregation

Echmiatsin and Zvartnots: Saint Hripsimeh Church and St. Shoghakat Church - part I Echmiatsin, Armavir Marz, Armenia

Echmiatsin and Zvartnots: Saint Hripsimeh Church and St. Shoghakat Church - part II

Echmiatsin and Zvartnots: Archaeological site of Zvartnots with ruins of the Temple, the Royal Palace, and other constructions Echmiatsin, Armavir Marz, Armenia

Connections

The site has 19 connections

Architecture

Conical roofs: Echmiatsin

Tetraconch: Saint Hripsime Church at Echmiatsin: "has a square tetraconch highly complex central plan" (wiki); also Zvartnots "a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type"

Double chapel: St Hripsime Church, Echmiatsin

Constructions

Stelae: Khachkars

Geography

Caucasus

History

Byzantine Empire and Civilization: Echmiatsin's architecture was influenced by Byzantine examples

Religion and Belief

Cathedrals: St Gregory, St George (Ruined)

Armenian Orthodox Church

Christian Pilgrimage Sites: Echmiatsin

Zoroastrianism: Remains of a Zoroastrian fire-altar have been found directly beneath the main altar of the Echmiadzin Cathedral

Religious Relics: Echmiatsin: The Holy Lance that pierced our Lord?s side by the Roman soldier during His crucifixion is among them. According to the tradition it was brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus when he came to evangelize. The Lance is kept in the Cathedral Museum. The greatest relic of Armenian Church is the Right Hand of St. Grigor Lusavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator). The relic is housed in a gold artwork depicting the sufferings of the saint. The third major relic is the piece of Noah?s Ark (kept in the Cathedral Museum). According to the tradition, it was given to St. Hakob (Jacob), Patriarch

Early Christianity: The Cathedral was originally built in AD 301- 303 (and rebuilt in 480) by St Gregory the Illuminator who had been brought up as a Christian in Caeserea and later converted the Armenian king. His son, Aristakes of Armenia, attended the council of Nicaea.

Introduction of Christianity: Armenia declared Christianity as its state religion in 301CE. According to the great 5th century Armenian historian Agatangeghos (Agafangel in Greek), St Gregor Lousavorich (St Gregory the Illuminator), first Patriarch of Armenia, had a vision. Christ came down from Heaven and touched the earth with a golden hammer. In that place, then called Vagharshpat and then the capital of Armenia, a church was built between 301-303 called Echmiatsin, ?the place where the Only Begotten descended".

Holy Lance: A spear which is claimed to be the true one has been held in the treasury of the Etchmiadzin Monastery since the 12th C. Previously it was at Geghard Monastery - which means "Spear" in Armenian (Գեղարդ). It was "allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called.....Thaddeus" (wiki)

Visitors

179 Community Members have visited.

AC Adrian Turtschi Afshin Iranpour Alexander Barabanov Alexander Lehmann Alfons and Riki Verstraeten Ali Zingstra Andersgrau8 Ani Anna Wludarska Arseny Dimi Artur Anuszewski Aspasia Atila Ege BH Bin Bob Parda Bram de Bruin Brigitte Huber CHJLondon Christian Wagner Christoosh Christoph CugelVance Dachangjin3 Daniel C-Hazard Debfc Dibro Dimitar Krastev Dkabanov Donald M Parrish Jr Einziger Els Slots Erik Jelinek Eva Kisgyorgy FGKJR1492X Fan Yibo Fernweh Filip Murlak Fmaiolo@yahoo.com Fmannucci Ge zhang Gennady Nezhdanov George Evangelou Gisella Gonca Hadrianus Handballrama Hanming Harald T. Harry Mitsidis Hfxdeb History Fangirl Howe Siang Tan Iain Jackson Ivan Rucek Jakubmarin Janis Jarek Pokrzywnicki Jaroslav Klement John Smaranda Jonas Kremer Jonathanliao Jos Schmitz Jose Antonio Collar Joshuakirbens João Aender Judit Dalla Judith Tanner JudyWalsh Juha Sjoeblom Jungliemonkey Juropa KB1 Kasienka5 Kevin McFarland Kevin247 Krijn Kristin Kurt Lauer LaVale Liu tuo Ljowers Loic Pedras Longdutch Lorenzo Mejino Ludvan Luis Filipe Gaspar Lukasz Palczewski Luke LOU MMM Mahuhe Malgorzata Kopczynska Marcel staron Marcobrey Marek Mariam Markassonne Marta Lempert Martina Rúčková Marton Kemeny Marty Max Smits Merveil Michael Novins Michal Kozok Michal Marciniak Mikal Ahmet Mikita M Mikko Milan Jirasek Miloš Tašković Mkborys MoPython Nan NataliaS Nej153 Nihal Ege Nils Kronenberg Nomad99 Paczeterson Pandapearls Pascal Cauliez Pasha Globus Patrick Matgen Patrik_globe Paul Hilder Peter Day Philipp Leu Pink Bunny Plutomu Red Reza Rica Duchateau Rob Wilson RobRos Roman Bruehwiler Roman Koeln Roman Raab Rvieira Rwestervelt3 SHIHE HUANG Socon Solivagant Sophie Stanimir Stanislaw Warwas SteO153 Sun_jianyuan@me.com Super-Sophie Szucs Tamas Tamara Ratz Tarquinio_Superbo Thomas Buechler Tingmelvin Tjark Tony H. Tony0001 Truls Brekke Usagi1974 Vanessa Buechler Vernon Prieto VforMih Voyager WHS Lux WalGra Walter Waterfighter8 Watkinstravel Weecheng Werner Huber Westwards Willc1515 Wojciech Fedoruk Wolfgang Hlousa WolfgangHl Wouter Yevhen Ivanovych Zoë Sheng

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