Tour Day 4: “This morning, head to the Geghard Monastery, a magnificent and unique structure partially carved out of rock. Interestingly, Armenia was the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion, and these medieval churches and monasteries have stood the test of time to show the country’s deep religious history. Today, you will also visit the Hellenistic Garni Temple and the medieval Sevanavank Monastery, set on the banks of the pristine Lake Sevan.
“From here, travel to Fioletovo, a village that’s home to the Molokan religious sect. Join a Molokan family for lunch to learn about their beliefs and traditions and taste their Russian-influenced cuisine, including borscht, pirozhki (pie) and tea from a samovar.
“Then, travel to the picturesque town of Dilijan, where you will be spending the night. On arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk to take in the town’s charming buildings and traditional craft workshops. Your accommodation tonight is a restored 19th century building filled with antique furniture and original architecture.”
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Heading to our last night in Armenia, it’s temples and monasteries all day long. First stop – Garni Temple, “the only standing Greco-Roman colonaded building in Armenia.”
Waiting our turn for a shot getting anxious because those two kept the scene to themselves for a very long time. And a cat!
On the right is the ceiling under the colonnade.
A view of the surrounding landscape.
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Geghard Monastery, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, “while the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave.”
In Armenia we didn’t have to wear headscarves in the churches unlike in Georgia where headscarves were provided.
A chapel carved into the rock.
“Some of the churches within the monastery complex are entirely dug out of the cliff rocks, others are little more than caves, while others are elaborate structures, with both architecturally complex walled sections and rooms deep inside the cliff.” And more of those very cool water fountains.
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Here is Sevanavank Monastery located on a peninsula on the banks of Lake Sevan.
Wikipedia: “According to an inscription in one of the churches, the monastery of Sevanavank was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of Ashot (who became a king a decade later). At the time, Armenia was still struggling to free itself from Arab rule.”
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Time for a late lunch at the home of a Molokan family in the community of Fioletovo.
The local guide, Anna, on the left and our hosts, mother Luba and daughter Eliana, on the right. (Judi’s picture.)
The hosts had converted the first log building into a museum and told us the story of their family.
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Hotel pictures from The Internet. We’re not here in fall!
Our hotel is on the right and the restaurant is on the left. It was lovely and everyone reported sleeping so well because I think of the cold air and heavy blankets.
A 50th Anniversary of Soviet Armenia monument. You might remember there was another one back in Yerevan too.
Our farewell Armenia dinner of wine and snacks. YUM. We didn’t get to spend any real time in Dilijan because we arrived at nearly dark and left at nearly dawn to make the long run into Georgia.
