Historical Armenia:Zvartnots-Etchmiadzin-Sardarapat

Day 1: Yerevan, Armenia to Sardarapat Memorial, Araks, Armenia

The excursion starts at 11:00 near the Marriott hotel in Republic Square. 1 point Zvartnots Temple or "Celestial Angels Cathedral" located in Armavir region, not far from the city Etchmiadzin. Built in 640 AD by Catholicos Nerses the Third Builder and was destroyed in the 10th century by a strong earthquake, after which it was found by archaeologists in the beginning of 20th century. In ancient centuries in the opening ceremony of the three-tier temple attended the Byzantine Emperor Constant II. There is also a museum complex, which was created in 2000. 2 point Etchmiadzin Cathedral is one of the oldest Monasteries in the whole world and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where sits the Catholicos of all Armenians. It was built in the 4th century AD by St. Gregory the Illuminator (the founder of Christianity in Armenia). Inside the cathedral are kept such significant relics as the Spear of Fate, which is considered as one of the authentic in the world (transported from the Geghard Monastery), Fragments of Noah's Ark, Spear of Longinus and much more. It has a huge territory with a beautiful garden where you can arrange an interesting walk and take beautiful photos for memory. The Cathedral is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 3 point The Sardarapat memorial complex was built in honor of the great victory of the Armenian people during the Turkish invasion in 1918, which in case of defeated, would threaten the complete destruction of the Armenian nation. This battle took place during the intervention of Turkey in the Caucasus, May 22-28, near the same name railway station. Lacking regular troops, the Armenian forces completely defeated the fifty thousandth army of the Turks, thereby stopping the invasion of the entire of Caucasus. The memorial covers a huge territory where you can take an interesting walk, make beautiful photos, and at the end of the complex visit an interesting museum.