Departure from Yerevan. Trip to the Armavir region.
Visit to the Church of Saint Hripsime – one of the finest examples of 7th-century Armenian architecture. The Surb Hripsime Church was built in 618 AD on the site of an ancient pagan temple, where Saint Hripsime was martyred and killed.
Visit to one of Armenia’s 12 historical capitals – Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat), and tour of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. The city of Etchmiadzin was founded in the first half of the 2nd century on the site of an ancient settlement. The cathedral is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world.

Visit to the “Treasury of Etchmiadzin” Museum. The museum is located in the southeastern section of the Cathedral and was opened in 1955. Among the most famous and valuable exhibits are the Holy Lance of Longinus (the spear that pierced Jesus Christ), a piece of Noah’s Ark, relics of Saint Stephen, and a fragment of Apostle Bartholomew’s staff.

Visit to the ruins of the Zvartnots Cathedral (Cathedral of the Vigilant Powers – 7th century), destroyed by an earthquake in 939 AD.
Return to Yerevan.

Duration of the excursion: 6 - 7  hours