I booked the hostel with free breakfast, so every morning during my stay I ate breakfast here. I met this warm lady in the kitchen she gave me bread (she baked it) and tea. I forgot her name. I ate it – it was good.
{I had few idea about some landmarks in Armenia, as I did some quick researched after my bookings. At the very beginning before I reached the country I asked the hostel for tour packages but because that time was not the pick season, they can cater only individual tour but the price was higher than that of the group tours. In my second day I was not certain to avail that individual tour. So in my mind maybe I can go by myself and discover some places in Armenia!}
Good things happened in the kitchen while having my breakfast, I met and talked to these three strangers who also reached the hostel the same day I did. With them, we checked some sites and agreed to commute for that day trip. We became friends and decided to travel together. They were great! Thank you guys. 🙂
Our trip started and we walked from the hostel to Republic Square. That was maybe we started walking approximately by 9.30am.
The History Museum, the National Gallery and the Government House are located here, but we didn’t thought and tried to visit these places that time. We were walking from here to find the terminal to reached Etchmiadzin.
Mornings and evenings in Armenian spring is still cold. One of my new friend had traveled from India then to Armenia – he is a backpacker traveler and he was travelling for more than a year before returning home. (I admire his travel skills!) He came from India so he need long pants for cold countries. This time we went to Yerevan market and reached Vernissage market.
It was Saturday morning so there were yet few display in the area, but on Sundays this place have lots to offer. Check this great photo I had with women in Vernissage here.
This is one of the historic capitals in Armenia and the main religious center of Armenian people. Home of eight churches namely: Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Saint Hripsime Church, Saitn Gayane Church, Zvartnots Cathedral, Shoghakat Church, Holy Mother of God Cathedral of Vagharshapat, Saints Vartan and Hovhannes Baptistery, Church of the Holy Archangels.
Before we reached Etchmiadzin, we first gone to a bus station. Here where we met this young boy, who didn’t went away from us, though he didn’t talked much. He helped us which bus heading to Etchmiadzin and we rode the same bus too. He is great!
Here where you can find the statue of Komitas or Soghomon Soghomonian widely seen as the martyr of the Genocide.
This is the mother church of Armenian Apostolic Church (open in 303), is considered as one of the oldest cathedral in the world and was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator. It is also listed as one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
This is the second cathedral we visited on this day after Etchmiadzin Cathedral of around 200 meters north.
Its location is only a walking distance from Etchmiadzin Cathedral. It was also listed as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 along with other churches in Vagharshapat. This was built on the site of the execution of Abbess Gayane.
As we walked while visiting cathedrals in Vagharshapat we passed by a school and there were some students practiced their drums. We smiles and few exchanges us with hi’s and hello’s though we where block by school fences. Before we reached Saint Gayane Church, outside the church we met this old man offered his doves for sale. I love doves – beautiful little birds!
From Saint Gayane Church on our way I got a chance to took photo with this little boy in a car and my friend. I love this scene and their exchange of smiles.
It was a long day walk and in the afternoon after Saint Gayane Church we felt hungry of course. We then saw this restaurant and looked for food there. We bought kebab wrapped in lavash. We asked some displayed meat there, but the guys cannot understand. So one of my friend Ehsan (who knew some other languages like Russian didn’t worked) so he asked through animal sound and they understand. He was genius – we laughed. This is one of the best experienced we had that day.
After our lunch we continued walking and our next destination was Zvartnots Cathedral. First we reached Komitas palace of culture, there – we tried to asked someone the direction of the cathedral. Most didn’t understand us, luckily there was a lady we met in this place and she can speak English well. She happened to be working in an NGO in Etchmiadzin. She invited us if we have time and can come in some of their cultural plays in the community. She is Arphine and she offered us a ride and drove us in Zvartnots Cathedral. She did great! Thank you Arphine and the guy with you. 🙂
We reached the ruins of Zvarnots Cathedral late in the afternoon. An aisled tetraconch planned in 7th century type of cathedral that was built by the Catholicos Nerses. It was also listed as one of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 together with some other churches in Vagharshapat.
We did visited the blue Mosque in Yerevan and it’s great to be inside. We went with our friend from Iran. It is really great to met different people with different beliefs and really nice. Iranian arts are great too! They had Persian carpet and plate ware.
I like there foods!
It was really freezing that time in Yerevan as we roamed the city at night. We had fun and went to Opera Theatre after our dinner.
Written: 31st of October 2022; Edited: 16th of December 2022; Posted: 17th of August 2023…
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