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THEArmenia, located near Georgia, is a destination that is still too underestimated by many travellers. Armenia, in reality, is a fascinating destination, a mix of history, amazing landscapes, wonderful architecture and typical food. Armenia is a rather wild country that rises in the mountains of the Lesser Caucasus and is surrounded by rivers and lakes that make up for the lack of the sea and also borders Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Although Armenia's history is very troubled, this country really has a lot to offer visitors who choose to undertake such a complex and particular journey: thanks to its thousand-year history and its incredible uncontaminated landscapes, Armenia, will be able to give you an experience that is certainly one of a kind. There history of Armenia it is certainly marked by invasions and conquests, up to the terrible chapter of the Armenian Genocide, which occurred between 1915 and 1916, causing the loss of more than 1,5 million people. Today, Armenia is an independent Eurasian state in the Southern Caucasus, with Yerevan as its capital.
History and culture of Armenia
THEArmeniaFurthermore, it is one of the most important cradles of Christianity, an ideal place to make long pilgrimages to reconnect with the essence of things and the sacred as well as a land with evocative landscapes. In Armenia, you will have the opportunity to get to the heart of the local culture: the Armenian people, in fact, are very attached to music and traditions, which survives in all religious and non-religious festivals. Popular songs, in particular, are accompanied by artisanal instruments, such as the duduk, a sort of oboe made of apricot wood; the zurna and the dhol, a simple drum.
Per seconda, ma non meno importante, vogliamo ricordare dance, also very important in Armenian culture: parties and weddings are enlivened by dances such as kochari and shalako, in which children and adults participate. If you are planning a trip to Armenia, the most important cost will certainly be the plane ticket, although, fortunately, the cost of hotels and restaurants is quite low and the same as for means of transport. The best way to reach Armenia it is definitely by air, although it is possible to arrive by land across borders with Georgia to the north and Iran to the south. There are many airlines that connect Italy toArmenia, with direct flights or with stopovers in large cities. Furthermore, all flights land at Zvartnots International Airport Yerevan, a very modern and efficient structure.
The moment you decide to undertake this type of journey, it is necessary travel safe and to do this it is necessary to take some precautions. For example, the best time of year for travel in complete safety in Armenia, it is definitely spring, followed by autumn. In addition to the classic travel documents, it is very important to choose appropriate and practical clothing, based on the climate and environment. For this type of trip, we recommend comfortable clothing, suitable for any itinerary you choose to take: jeans, scarf, cotton trousers, sneakers, t-shirts and pullovers, depending on the time of year.
What to see in Armenia
THEArmenia it is a rather complex country to describe due to its history: even today, unfortunately, it is a place that lives in the shadows, often little known by travelers and remembered only for the drama of the genocide. Despite the negative events that have marked this country, theArmenia, è una terra che ha molto da offrire e si impegna a difendere molto bene, con fiero animo, le proprie radici ed il proprio passato. Armenia it is a small country, with winding and slow roads, but it is certainly worth a stay of at least a week. You cannot help but stop to admire the splendid architecture of the Caucasian churches, among the most important architectural beauties to see in Armenia.
This country, in fact, is dotted with a myriad of rock churches, many of which overlook the waters of Lake Sevan or between the valleys of red rocks, as well as in the wild forests. The beauty of these churches, so simple and essential, instills a true and profound peace, perceptible only by stopping, in silence, to observe their grandeur. Lake Sevan is a vast expanse of fresh water that Armenians consider their sea: in summer, in fact, it is possible to cool off in the lake's waters and take a nice swim.
The Geghard monastery, one of the most famous and ancient in the place, is today a UNESCO heritage site and is nestled in a gorge of the Azat river; equally extraordinary are the monasteries of Noravank, Haghartsin, Goshavanq and the complex of Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries. For fully discover Armenia, then, you will have to immerse yourself in the splendid nature of the legendary Mount Arat, a mountain of volcanic origin. Let's not forget to mention the Armenian waters, which are identified in Lake Seven and Dilijan National Park, two unmissable beauties of this splendid land.
Much of the Armenian territory is protected by natural reserves, ideal for those who love long walks; we will mention some of them, including the Shikahogh reserve, the Khosrov forest, the Erebuni reserve. In particular, the Khosrov nature reserve offers the possibility of wonderful walking excursions, thanks to its organ pipe volcanic rock formations. Furthermore, the State also safeguards some archaeological sites very close to the capital, such as Dvin and Metsamor and various natural habitats such as the steppe, where rare and precious insects live.
Yerevan: what to see in the capital of Armenia
Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and its main feature is certainly the sumptuous architecture of the Soviet era. The capital has lots to visit, starting from La Cascade, an open-air contemporary art museum: fountains, sculptures, art installations; it is a true architectural colossus! Despite appearances, Yerevan is a very modern and clean city, where it is easy to get around thanks to the very efficient metro. However, it is a very ancient city, designed in the Soviet era by the Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian: the modern capital, in fact, has a circular plan, which makes orientation very simple.
Clearly, the Genocide Museum, which recounts in a very touching and complete way the events that occurred relating to this tragedy. Next, the wonderful Republic Square and Shaumyan Square: they overlook each other and are the most interesting part of the center of Yerevan. The colonnade is entirely dedicated to Stepan Shaumyan, a Bolshevik who fought intensely for the spread of communism in Armenia. It is also possible to admire a splendid series of fountains and gardens that act as a preamble to Piazza della Repubblica, surrounded by government buildings, the History Museum and various banks.
Not far from this square, there is the Blue Mosque, a jewel of Islamic art: the decorations are wonderful, characterized by tiles placed on the roof that look like attentive eyes, truly fascinating. At the end of Hyusisayin Poghota, a central street full of shops and restaurants, there is the Opera House. With an immense staircase that connects the city to the adjacent hill. At the beginning of this staircase, there is the famous Cat sculpture by Fernando Botero, the first open-air work to be called the Cafesjian Museum. You can tour it independently or rely on an expert guide who will tell you every secret of the city.
Why go to Armenia?
If you're not entirely sure you want to take a trip to wild Armenia, we are ready to give you a push to convince you to buy a plane ticket to Yerevan! First of all, if you are a big history buff, Armenia will be your dream: a country full of events, a culture that, over the centuries, has been forged under the influence of different populations, such as Persians, Arabs, Romans, Greeks and many others. Furthermore, very few know that Armenia was one of the first Christian countries and therefore important cradle for Catholicism.
Armenia is also a very hospitable country: the visitor, in fact, is not considered a simple tourist, but a person who, even if a stranger, is treated with the utmost respect and kindness; here you will be welcomed by a warm climate, you will have the great opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the Armenian traditions, fully enjoying the typical lifestyle of the place. But Armenia is not just history and architecture: as we stated previously, those with a good mouth will surely find the ideal typical dish to satisfy their palate. In the Armenian cuisine, the Persian and Arabic influences, in particular, are still very evident; they were able to give that extra touch to the pre-existing cuisine, which was already very unusual and tasty in itself.
You can enjoy a great one variety of grilled meats, accompanied by fruit-based sauces, such as apricot or pomegranate. Obviously let's not forget about vegetarians: salads and delicious cheeses await you! In short, Armenia is a country that has a lot to offer from many points of view, you certainly won't get bored: vast landscapes await you, unexplored lands that are very reminiscent of some parts of Europe will make you feel at home. Beyond these landscapes, what makes this place most fascinating and unforgettable is certainly uncontaminated nature: molto poco urbanizzato, il Paese, presenta zone perfettamente intatte che cattureranno il vostro cuore da viaggiatori insaziabili!
