Armenia · Religious & Spiritual

5-Hour Historical Armenia Tour to Zvartnots and Etchmiadzin

5 Hours Round trip from Sardarapat Memorial Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, the "Celestial Angels Cathedral"
02 Visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the world's oldest monasteries
03 See revered relics preserved at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
04 Discover the Sardarapat Memorial Complex and its 1918 victory museum

Discover some of Armenia's most important historical and spiritual landmarks on this half-day excursion to Zvartnots Temple, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and the Sardarapat Memorial Complex. Travel in a comfortable car as you explore the ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral, visit Etchmiadzin Cathedral - one of the oldest monasteries in the world and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church - and learn about the Armenian victory commemorated at Sardarapat. This tour combines UNESCO-listed heritage, religious history, and national memory in one enriching experience.

Discover some of Armenia's most important historical and spiritual landmarks on this half-day excursion to Zvartnots Temple, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, and the Sardarapat Memorial Complex.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Vagharshapat, Zvartnots, Sardarapat

Languages Armenian, English, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Zvartnots, Etchmiadzin and Sardarapat Heritage Tour

The excursion starts at 11:00 at the location you specified.
Visit Zvartnots Temple, or the "Celestial Angels Cathedral," located in the Armavir region, not far from the city of Etchmiadzin. It was built in 640 AD by Catholicos Nerses III the Builder and was destroyed in the 10th century by a strong earthquake. Archaeologists rediscovered it at the beginning of the 20th century. In ancient times, the opening ceremony of this three-tier temple was attended by the Byzantine Emperor Constans II. There is also a museum complex here, created in 2000.
Continue to Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the oldest monasteries in the world and the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the Catholicos of all Armenians resides. It was built in the 4th century AD by St. Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of Christianity in Armenia. Inside the cathedral are preserved such significant relics as the Spear of Fate, considered one of the authentic ones in the world and transported from Geghard Monastery, fragments of Noah's Ark, the Spear of Longin, and much more. The cathedral stands on a huge territory with a beautiful garden where you can enjoy an interesting walk and take beautiful photos as a memory. The cathedral is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Then explore the Sardarapat Memorial Complex, built in honor of the great victory of the Armenian people during the Turkish invasion in 1918, which, in case of defeat, would have threatened the complete destruction of the Armenian nation. This battle took place during Turkey's intervention in the Caucasus, from May 22-28, near the railway station of the same name. Lacking regular troops, the Armenian forces completely defeated the fifty-thousand-strong Turkish army, thereby stopping the invasion of the entire Caucasus. The memorial covers a huge territory where you can take an interesting walk, make beautiful photos, and visit an interesting museum at the end of the complex.
The excursion will end at the location you specified.