| Etchmiadzin | |
 | |
| Etchmiadzin Cathedral | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Armenia |
|---|---|
| Regions | Central Armenia Armavir |
| Area | 44,24 km² |
| Population | 57 252 hab. |
| Density | 1 294,12 inhab./km² |
| Postal code | 1101–1109 |
| Spindle | UTC 04:00 |
| Location | |
 40 ° 10 ′ 22 ″ N 44 ° 17 ′ 33 ″ E | |
| Official site | |
Etchmiadzin, officially Vagharchapat since 1992 but rarely used, is a town ofCentral Armenia located nearYerevan.
Understand
The great monastic complex of Etchmiadzin, which is currently the seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians, consists of several buildings or groups of buildings dating from the IVe, Ve, VIe and XVIIe centuries. Since 2000, the religious complex of Etchmiadzin as well as the archaeological site of Zvartnots have been inscribed on the list of Unesco World Heritage.
Today, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church houses the Catholicossal chancellery, a major seminary and a museum.
To go
Regular buses leave almost in front of the covered market (Pag Shuka) on Machtots Street. The prices are less than one euro. They will take you directly to Etchmiadzin passing the ruins of Zvartnots (before arriving in town), Sainte-Hripsimé (from the start of town) and continue straight on towards the town center, which is right next to the complex of Etchmiadzin.
Circulate
Much of the city visited by tourists is within walking distance. Taxis are not too expensive and a few Marchrutkas lines crisscross the city.
To see
All the following monuments are classified World Heritage by UNESCO.
- 1 Saint-Etchmiadzin Cathedral – The cathedral is the oldest Armenian Christian building. Its first construction dates from 303, but it was subsequently rebuilt in 484. Over the following centuries, the building was repeatedly altered, and only the north, south and west walls date from the IV.e century. The XVIIe century is the period when the monument was most often altered, giving its current appearance to the cathedral: construction of the dome in 1627, of the two-storey bell tower in 1658, of the lantern in 1683 and interior frescoes of a oddly Persian. The cathedral has beautiful testimonies of Armenian Christian sculpture with for example a bas-relief representing Saint Paul and Saint Thecla as well as birds and a cross. Sourp Etchmiadzin houses three relics: that of the Passion lance, the hand of Saint Gregory, and the wood of Noah's ark.
- 2 Sourp Hripsimé Church – The Sainte-Hripsimé church dates from 618. Although it was, like the Sourp Etchmiadzin cathedral, restored in the 17th centurye century, it keeps its original aspect which testifies well to the Armenian architecture. During this restoration is built the porch (in 1653), surrounded by a wall built much later, in 1776. From an architectural point of view, the church is a tetraconque with niche of angles. It has a gavit with a high dome to top it off.
- 3 Sourp Gayané Church – The church was built in 630. On the same site would have taken place the martyrdom of this Gayane who was a young Roman girl who took refuge in Armenia. His gavit was built in 1688. The church is also renovated like the two previous ones in the 17th century.e century and has an octagonal dome located in the middle of the small nave and the transept, a drum also octagonal and pierced with four windows, all resting on arches.
- 4 Choghagat Church – It was built, like Sourp Gayané, Sourp Hripsimé and Sourp Etchmiadzin, around the 7the century; however, the exact date of the construction of the building is not known. Destroyed, it was rebuilt in 1695. Its plan is longitudinal but with a single nave thanks to the arches which support the dome on pilasters leaning against the side walls.
- 5 Zvartnots – One of the most important archaeological sites in the country.
Do
To buy
The Etchmiadzin complex has a bookstore / souvenir shop inside, with a collection of religious gifts, icons, books, dvds, crosses, jewelry, art, crafts, shirts and more. It is worth taking a look.
Eat
Etchmiadzin is famous for its kufte. If you've never tasted "Etchmiadzine Kufte". They prepare themselves with a piece of beef that they grind, beat and swirl to make a paste. They roll into a big ball and boil. Does it sound appetizing? Well they throw a piece of butter that melts on it and it gives it a little flavor. It is worth trying it if you are in town. Go to the "shuka" (market) in town and ask for it. There are a few places that are specialized.
