Best Monasteries Near Yerevan: Etchmiadzin, Saghmosavank & Zvartnots
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Some of the best historic sites near Yerevan can be combined into one road trip, including Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Zvartnots Cathedral ruins, Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank. I visited them while traveling from Gyumri back to Yerevan, photographing monasteries, dramatic canyon landscapes and UNESCO sites along the way.
From Gyumri to Yerevan: One Last Armenia Road Trip
OMG, my last day in Armenia. Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” keeps popping into my head.
At least it wasn’t System of a Down (and Armenian rock band that I LOVE). I couldn’t get SOAD out of my head the first two days in Yerevan.
Gyumri at Sunrise
The last day of my tour began in Gyurmi- the second largest city of Armenia. Our hotel was just off of Vardanant’s Square. It was a long 4 minute walk to the city center. I arrived early (sunrise is the best- get up early). However, I was up too early (45 minutes BEFORE sunrise is the purple light time).
The caffeine cravings began immediately. I was in trouble. It looked like coffee shops did not open until 9am. I would be dead on the sidewalk by 9 am (it was 6).
I kept seeing coffee machines in Yerevan. Coffee? From a machine? No thanks. However, I had no choice (it was life or death) and for 30 cents (100 dram) I was treated to a hot cup of coffee.
I’m not saying this was the best cup of coffee ever tasted
…but it was better than Starbucks! Sorry Starbuck’s fans ( the coffee is burnt).
Vartanants Square (Armenian: Վարդանանց Հրապարակ Vartanants Hraparak) or Vardanants Square, is the large central town square in Gyumri, Armenia. It is bordered by Abovyan street from the west, Gai street from the north, Shahumyan street from the east and Vahan Cheraz street from the south 
Black tuff buildings in downtown Gyumri 
Gyumri architecture cityscape photographs 
Photographs of Gyumri architecture Armenia travel blog 
Cityscape of Gyumri Armenia 
Colorful sunset Vartanants Square Armenia as viewed from City Hall
I treated myself to 6 more cups of coffee (they were little ones) and photographed the sunrise. It was a super nice way to start the day.
Yes, I like caffeine! (it keeps you awake!)
Saghmosavank Monastery
The next stop on our tour was Saghmosavank (not pictured). Just a few miles down the road we visited Hovhannavank monastery south/east of Gyurmi. Hovhannavank (Հովհաննավանք) is a medieval monastery located in the village of Ohanavan. The monastery stands on the edge of the Kasagh River canyon. The deep gorge is carved by the Kasagh River. I have some great photographs of this area- and my first bad painting in awhile (should I show it?).
Etchmiadzin Cathedral: Armenia’s Most Important Church
Our next stop was UNESCO World Heritage Site of Etchmiadzin Cathedral just a short drive from Yerevan. Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Էջմիածնի մայր տաճար) is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is usually considered the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia, and often regarded as the oldest cathedral in the world. It is located at the center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin- the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins
The final stop of my tour was at the ruins of UNESCO World Heritage Site Zvartnots Cathedral. I tried to visit these ruins on my second morning in Yerevan. The receptionist at my hotel told me the ruins were open in the morning (they were not open). I took a taxi 14km to the ruins and couldn’t get in. I do not blame the receptionist- not many people in Armenia speak English (mostly Russian and Armenian). I should have used Google Translate in Russian. That is the fun of traveling! Things happen.
Featured above is one of my first watercolors of the temple ruins. The original painting (11×15″) and fine art prints are available
At least I had the opportunity to see the ruins the second time! :)
Returning to Yerevan
Selfie proving I was actually here. I hate selfies but want to show my girlfriend I am actually working (12k photographs in 15 days should be sufficient proof, right? :). My last night in Yerevan at Republic Square.
Sunset view of Republic Square from Diamond Restaurant (a great view for photographers and NOT crowded on a mid-October night). HINT. HINT. And I had to work real hard there to get a photograph. Take a photograph (or 20). Sit down. Sip your beer. Take another 20 photos. Such demanding work…
Above is an artistic interpretation of Republic Square at night. The original 11×15″ painting and fine art prints are available
Last Thoughts: WHAT an amazing country. Wonderful landscapes, Roman ruins, a tragic history (earthquakes, Armenian Genocide, present day ethnic cleansing by Azerbaijan).
People Also Ask:
Is Etchmiadzin worth visiting?
Yes! I wish I had more time at the site- this would be an easy day-trip from Yerevan
How far is Zvartnots from Yerevan?
Only a short 20 minutes from Yerevan- easily accessible via Uber (recommended)/taxi
Can you visit Saghmosavank on a day trip?
Yes, visiting Saghmosavank on a day trip from Yerevan is incredibly popular and easy to do. The 13th-century monastery, perched on the edge of the Kasagh River Gorge, is only about a 40-minute drive (approximately 30-40 km) northwest of central Yerevan
Which monastery near Yerevan is the most beautiful?
Tough question. Geghard Monastery might have been my favorite- the scenery surrounding the Monastery was amazing.
The Ultimate Armenia Travel Guide for Photographers & Artists
- Yerevan
- Geghard Monastery
- Garni Ruins
- Khor Virap
- Noravank
- Tatev
- Goris
- Lake Sevan
- Dilijan
- Gyumri
- Etchmiadzin
- Zvartnots
Resources:
Hotels:
I stayed at the Olympia Hotel in Yerevan. It is a little from the city center (taxi rides are really cheap with the GG App) but close to the Genocide Museum and has amazing views of the Hrazdan Gorge and Mount Ararat.
If I had the money, I would have stayed at the Marriot Hotel on Republic Square (pictured in Yerevan sunset photo above):
Yerevan is a great place for hotels and central to much of Armenia. Other hotels can be found here:
Flights
I flew to Armenia from Istanbul. I do NOT recommend this route- perhaps due to relations between countries there is only one flight (as of Oct ’24) from Istanbul-Yereven and it is always in the middle of the night. My first flight was at 3am. Not very conductive for getting a good night’s rest. I would fly to Yerevan from Dubai, Sofia, Greece, or anywhere else.
Guide Books:
Lonely Planet Armenia. This guide covers Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. I purchased this travel guide.
History of Armenia. Certainly worth reading if you are going to spend a little time in this country with it’s amazing and often tragic history.
Car Rental:
Driving is a little aggressive in Armenia. A two lane road is effectively three lanes and everyone passes on blind curves. I hired a driver so there wasn’t additional stress. You could drive on your own too:
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Ryan Fox Painting
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