In the east of modern Turkey, on the banks of the Akhuryan River, there is the ghost town of Ani - the ancient capital of the Armenian kingdom of Ani. Founded more than 1,600 years ago, the city was located at the intersection of several trade routes. In the 11th century, more than 100 thousand people lived here.

In the following centuries, Ani and the surrounding areas were conquered hundreds of times by Byzantine emperors, Ottoman Turs, nomadic Kurds, Armenians, Georgians... By the 1300s, Ani was in deep decline and was completely abandoned in the 1700s.

In 2010, the World Heritage Foundation included the city’s monuments in the list of “Monuments on the Verge of Collapse.” Let's take a walk through the ancient ghost town of Ani, known as the “city of 1001 churches”.

Photo 2. Ruins of a mausoleum built around 1050 AD. (Photo by Georgios Giannopoulos):

Ani city- Armenian city. It is located on one of the banks of the Akhuryan River tributary, in the northeast present Turkey. The city first became known in the 5th century, when in its place there was a fortress located on a rock. The fortress was called Akhchakberd, and as such the city around it did not exist until the 8th century.

Settlements in the area of ​​the city of Ani appeared about 5,000 years ago. Local residents hollowed out caves in the rocks, in the same manner as in Cappadocia. These caves can still be seen today in the Bostanlar Gorge. The city begins to develop approximately from the time of Urartu, i.e. from the 9th century BC Ani turned out to be the first city that was located on the Great Silk Road at the entrance to Anatolia. This inevitably led to Ani becoming an important trading center, and therefore rich. It was the Great Silk Road that became the source of the city’s prosperity. In the 860s. The Bagratids create the Kingdom of Ani, which became the largest feudal state of ancient Armenia. Ani becomes its capital.

From the beginning of the 9th century, numerous craft settlements began to appear around the fortress, and then the city received its current name, becoming a major cultural and economic center. In 961 the city became the capital of Armenia and began to grow rapidly.

1045 the city becomes part of Byzantium, in 1064 it falls under the rule of the Seljuks. During the 12-13th century. Ani has repeatedly become the subject of capture, either by the Kurds or by the Georgians. But this was not what led to Anya’s decline. The decisive role here was played by the main breadwinner of the city - the Great Silk Road, or rather its decline. The source of permanent income disappeared, the city began to lose its fame. The invasion of the Mongols and the earthquake that happened here led Ani to complete decline. From about the 16th century. people start leaving the city.

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From the middle of the 13th century, a period of decline began. First the Mongols and then the Seljuks ravaged the city, recapturing it from Byzantium. By that time, about 100 thousand people lived in Ani - it was the largest city in the Middle East. The population was evenly distributed by the conquerors throughout the territory of their possessions, and the earthquake of 1319 finally destroyed the city.

The main attraction of the city are its churches, the most famous of which is the Church of the Virgin Mary or Astavatsatsin (989-1001), with a sundial on the southern facade, which lost its dome only in 1840.

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Since 1534 the city was part of Ottoman Empire, and from 1878-1917 belonged to Russia. Today the city belongs to the Kars vilayet, although it is 42 kilometers from Kars, while less than 1000 meters separate the city from the border with Armenia.

The city has 8 entrance gates, but only one has survived to this day - the Aslanli Gate. through which you can get into the city.

Industry and crafts hardly develop in the cities; in fact, Ani is a museum city, gradually collapsing and falling into disrepair. However, many original monuments of religious architecture still attract tourists visiting Turkey, to the very Armenian border.

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At the moment, the city as such does not exist, there are only the remains of ancient structures. Now this is a plateau with many dilapidated ancient buildings, located not far from Kars, next to the Okyuzdashi mountains. Although even now the surviving buildings of the city of Ani are an example of the architecture of the past. The remains of the city wall and the remains of towers built in the tenth century have survived to this day, although they are very badly destroyed. The miraculously preserved Church of the Savior, built from 1034 to 1036, and another Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, built in 1010, are architectural monuments.

Several other small churches have survived, which were named after St. Gregory, Gadzhik and Kervansaray. The convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the small church adjacent to it has also been preserved to this day. Well, the main pearl of the ancient city can confidently be called the Main Cathedral, which was built over 11 years, from 989 to 1010. But the most interesting thing is that on Armenian soil, within sight, an exact copy of this cathedral was erected, but it was being built in our time.

Photo 6. Temple and man for scale. (Photo by Scott Dexter):

After visiting all the attractions listed above, it makes sense to turn your attention to the Seljuk Palace. Since this building (by the way, the only one that they decided to restore) belongs to the Islamic style. Nearby you can also see excavations where, according to archaeologists, there was a street of the ancient city. The remains of commercial establishments or dwellings are visible in this area. Nearby stands Menujehir Kamyi, which was previously considered a mosque. In the southern part of the city there is a citadel called Ydzh-Kale, but, unfortunately, it is closed for inspection. Next to it is the Kyz-Kilisesi monastery, standing almost above the river gorge.

You can walk a little and explore the Seljuk baths, the remains of an ancient bridge over the Akhuryan River. Here you can also see “khachkars” - examples of stone carvings with Armenian roots. But when visiting the ancient city of Ani, you should also know that some of its parts or areas located near the border are closed for excursions, and a large number of patrolling gendarmes may prohibit viewing of some attractions. But at the same time, they politely and clearly explain the reasons for this or that ban.

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Ani gained international fame thanks to the Russian scientist N.Ya. Marru.

Photo 8. Frescoes inside the Church of St. Gregory. There is little left of them here. (Photo by Reuters | Umit Bektas):

In recent years, Turkish scientists are going to start new excavations in one of the most impressive tourist centers in Turkey - on the territory of the ancient Armenian city of Ani,” reports the official Turkish Anadolu Agency.

According to Turkish sources, this work is being carried out by archaeologists from Pamukkale University in Denizli, located in the west of the country. They, as noted by the head of the Agency for Culture and Tourism of the Kars Provincial Administration, Hakan Dogana, are already negotiating with the Turkish Ministry of Culture in order to obtain official permission to conduct excavations in Ani.

“Ani was the center of the once powerful Armenian kingdom, from 100 to 200 thousand inhabitants lived there. Ani was one of the largest cities of that period,” writes Anadolu, reporting that about 22 thousand tourists visited Ani last year alone.

“60% of them are foreigners, for them Ani seems to be attractive as a place of fusion of different religions, a city where representatives of different religions, cultures, and races once lived,” a representative of the provincial administration said in an interview with Anadolu Agency Kars Hakan Dogan, without hiding the fact that local authorities are pursuing the goal of increasing the flow of tourists, thanks to the intensification of work in Ani.

“It is obvious that we must present this city of global importance to the world as soon as possible,” Dogana said.

“Over the past months, some work has been carried out in Ani, in particular, jugs, fragments of pottery and human bones found as a result of excavations carried out in June 2012 were transported to a special warehouse,” Turkish officials note.

By the way, the Turkish authorities first paid serious attention to Ani about 20 years ago. Since 1989 work was carried out here to clean up the territory, which, however, in 2005. were suspended and resumed only in 2009, parallel to the start of the Armenian-Turkish “football diplomacy”.

In 2010 Ani has already found itself at the center of a major political scandal when Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli, together with his supporters, held Friday prayers on the territory of the Armenian Cathedral in Ani.

Photo 9. Ruins of the Church of St. Gregory. (Foo AP Photo):

Photo 10. All that remains of the temple of King Gagik - the king of the Ani kingdom. (Photo by Scott Dexter):

Photo 11. The gorge below the city of Ani. Numerous caves in the rocks, as well as fortifications, are visible here. (Photo by Adam Jones):

Photo 12. Restoration of the Merchants' Palace. There is a clear discrepancy between ancient and modern materials. (Photo by Jean & Nathalie):

Photo 13. Remains of the city of Ani, June 24, 2012. (Photo by Scott Dexter):

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Photo 15. In the center of the frame, on the rocks, a castle is visible. (Photo by Scott Dexter):

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Photo 25. Inside the Cathedral of Ani, June 4, 2013. Construction began in 989 and was completed between 1001-1010. The structure collapsed during an earthquake in 1319. (Photo by MrHicks46):

Photo 26. Castle on the top of a mountain near the Akhuryan River, June 4, 2013. (Photo by MrHicks46):

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Photo 28. Medieval walls of Ani. (Photo by Marko Anastasov):

Photo 29. Cathedral. (Photo by AP Photo | Burhan Ozbilici):

Photo 30. Inscriptions on the outer wall of the cathedral. (Photo by Scott Dexter):

Photo 31. Damaged frescoes in the Church of St. Gregory. (Photo by Reuters | Umit Bektas):

Photo 32. Remains of the Church of the Holy Savior among the ruins of the city of Ani. (Photo by Reuters | Umit Bektas):

Photo 33. All that remains of the ancient bridge. (Photo by Martin Lopatka):

Photo 34. Border between Turkey and Armenia, June 19, 2011. (Photo by Martin Lopatka):

Photo 35. The Cathedral of the city of Ani against the backdrop of Mount Small Ararat. (Photo by Sara Yeomans):

Photo 36. Destroyed Church of the Holy Savior, February 19, 2010. (Photo by Reuters | Umit Bektas):

Photo 37. Citadel (left) and mosque (right). (Photo by Jean & Nathalie):

Photo 38. The cathedral and attempts to save it from further destruction. (Photo by AP Photo | Burhan Ozbilici):

Photo 39. Frescoes inside the Church of St. Gregory. (Photo by MrHicks46):

Photo 40. Church of St. Gregory. (Photo by Martin Lopatka):

Photo 41. Warning sign: “Secret military zone. The passage is closed." (Photo by Adam Jones):

At the beginning of the 20th century, on the territory of the Ottoman Empire there were more than 2 million Armenian residents, 2.5 thousand Armenian churches, more than a thousand schools, houses, monasteries and libraries. After 1915, most of them were massacred, deported or converted to Islam on pain of death, and of the thousands of churches, some were turned into mosques and others were razed to the ground. This article will talk about 8 ancient, economically and culturally developed cities of Western Armenia, which are now part of modern Turkey.

Adana is located on the Seyhan River, 50 km from the Mediterranean coast. The city was part of the Cilician kingdom and was of strategic importance, conducting significant trade with the cities of Asia Minor and Syria. By the beginning of the 20th century, the population of Adana province was 490,000 people, 41.8% of whom were Armenians and only 15.9% Turks. Previously, the center of the Adana Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church was located here. But by the decision of the Turkish authorities, Armenian schools, houses, gardens, churches were destroyed and the Armenian population was exterminated. Today Adana is a major industrial center with developed textile, chemical and food industries.

In the east of modern Turkey, the ancient capital of the Armenian kingdom of Ani, founded more than 1600 years ago on the banks of the Akhuryan River, is located. On a hill formed by the gorge of the Akhuryan River and the Bostanlar Valley, the city was located at the intersection of several trade routes of a triangular hill. Its main trading partners were the Byzantine and Persian empires, the Arabs, as well as the peoples of Central Asia and today's Russia. At one time, Ani was one of the largest cities in the world, now it is a ghost town. After the invasion of the Seljuk Turks, destruction and earthquakes, all that remained of the city of “1001 churches” was emptiness and ruins.

Bitlis/ Bagesh

The ancient Armenian city of Bitlis is mentioned in history under a different name - Sebeos and Bagesh. Some historians believe that the city's location in terms of trade and military strategy has contributed to its growth and prosperity at all times. One of the largest roads, connecting the port city of Trebizond and large cities of central Armenia with Mesopotamia, ran along the valley of the Bitlis River. The city was once captured by the Arabs (7th century), the Byzantines (9th century), the Kurds (10th century), the Seljuks (12th century), and the Ottoman Turks (16th century). Let us recall that the main population of the city was 400 thousand inhabitants, more than half of them were Armenians, who remained the largest ethnic group until the beginning of the 19th century. Those who managed to avoid death during the genocide found refuge in Eastern Armenia.

The territory of the modern city of Van was the central part of the ancient kingdom of Urartu. It was part of Greater Armenia, the kingdom of Vaspurakan, the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuk state, and the Ottoman Empire. Armenians formed the majority of the population there for centuries until they were evicted or exterminated in the period 1915-1923. At that time, the old city of Van was completely destroyed, and a new one with the same name is located near the old ruins, which is now inhabited by Turks and Kurds. Today, the city of Van has preserved architectural traces of ancient civilizations: the Van fortress, the estate of the kings of Urartu from the 9th century BC. e., Urartian castles of Kef and Ayanis, which are 2.5 thousand years old. Tourists are also attracted here by Lake Van. Another peculiarity in Van are cats with different colored eyes.

Diyarbakir

During the time of the Mitanni state, the city was called Amid, later in the Artashesid era - . The city survived numerous attacks, it was captured by the Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Ottomans and Kurds. At the beginning of the 20th century, more than 50% of the population was slaughtered; Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and Bulgarians. Currently, the city is completely occupied by Kurds. In the early 30s, Amid was renamed Diyarbakir (in honor of the Kurdish Bekir tribe) and today it is unofficially considered the capital of Turkish Kurdistan. There is a high probability that, in addition to the Kurds, crypto-Armenians still live in the city, who converted to Islam to avoid death.

Kars

According to history, it was founded in the 4th century and was important in the state and social life of medieval Armenia, the center of the Vanand province in the Ararat region and was considered a major center of crafts through which international trade routes passed. At the beginning of the 10th century, the city was the capital of Armenia for some time, until the Armenian king Ashot III moved the new capital to the city of Ani. Thus, in the 10th-11th centuries, Kars became the capital of the Armenian Vanand or Kars kingdom, which was ruled by the Armenian royal Bagratid dynasty. Today, all that remains of Kars is the Armenian church, built by King Abas from the Bagratid dynasty (9th century), which in 1978 was converted into a fortress and mosque at Kumbet.

Mush is located west of Lake Van, on the northern slopes of the Armenian Taurus, at the base of the low mountains of Korduk and Tsiranakatar. The Megraget River flows through the city. Mount Nemrut stands out in the surrounding landscape - one of the most beautiful mountains of the Armenian Highlands and Mush Valley. It is believed that the name Mush comes from the Armenian word “Mshush”, which means fog or haze. According to Armenian legend, the goddess Astghik often descended from Mount Grgur in the evenings to bathe in the river. She was very beautiful and the villagers often watched her, lighting fires on the hills to look at her. Having learned about this, Astghik created an impenetrable darkness to hide her nakedness while swimming. Since then, the city and the entire region have been covered in thick fog. So a similar phenomenon began to be called Mshush, which over time transformed into Mush. Now, besides Mount Nemrut, the city no longer has any special attractions.

Erzurum/Karin

The peculiarity of the ancient city of Karin is its location on a high plain with an ancient fortress, castle and towers. Since ancient times, Karin was famous throughout the east as the center of Armenian carpet weaving. When the ancient Armenian city was founded, Karin had many names: Theodosiopolis (during the reign of the Byzantine king Theodosius II), Ardzn-Rum (during the capture of the Persians and Arabs, 6th century), and Erzurum (with the invasion of the Turks and Mongols, 12th century). A Spanish historian, traveling around Samarkand, whose name has long been forgotten, wrote in one of his works that in Karina he was captivated by the extraordinary churches that belonged to Armenian Christians. Nowadays, all that remains of the Armenian city are ruins, and in 1915-1923, all that was left of the churches was destroyed by the Ottomans or turned into a mosque.

“Cities have always been like people, revealing their different personalities to the traveler. Depending on the city and the traveler, mutual love or hostility, friendship or enmity may begin. Where one city raises a certain person to glory, he will destroy another who does not suit his personality. Only through travel can we know where we belong or not, where we have loved and where we have rejected.”
– Roman Payne, Town & Country

Armenia is one of the oldest and most ancient countries connecting Europe with Asia.

In addition to being the first Christian country, it is also one of the earliest states on earth. The powerful state of Urartu already existed on the territory of Armenia in the 9th-6th centuries BC.

Many eras have left their mark on its territory. Thus, this country is considered one of the most interesting in the Old World. It is rich in historical and cultural monuments.

In addition, Armenia is often called an “open-air museum.”

A lot of art and architectural monuments make Armenia a country full of cultural masterpieces.

Ancient Armenian Cities

“The most famous cities in Lesser Armenia are Caesarea, Aza, and Nikopol. In Greater Arshamashat, which is located near the Euphrates, Arkatiakert on the Tigris, Tigranokert which stands on an elevated place. And on the plain adjacent to the Araks River, Artashat... Claudius Chzar makes the length (of the country of Armenia), from Dascusa to the borders of the Caspian Sea, thirteen hundred miles, and the width, from Tigranocerta to Iberia, half this distance. It is a well known fact that this country is divided into prefectures called "Strategies", some of which separately formed a kingdom in former times; they are one hundred and twenty in number, with barbarous and uncouth names."

– Pliny the Elder “ Natural history" (6,10)

The city was the capital of the Armenian kingdom. The Armenian king Tigran the Great founded it in the first century BC. Thus, it was the name of the king.

Literally translated, the name of the city means “made by Tigran.” Its location was near present-day Silvan, east of Diyarbakir in modern Turkey.

In fact, Tigranokert was really important commercially. It became the cultural center of the Middle East.

As stated by Plutarch, Tigranocerta was "a rich and beautiful city, where every common man, and every man of rank, learned to beautify it."

Tigran divided Greater Armenia into four main strategic regions. Roman force under Lucullus Lucullus besieged the city in the summer of 69 BC. But then he was unable to occupy the territory quickly.

By that time, Tigranokert was still an unfinished city. The city's defense was really good. According to the Greek historian Appia, these were thick and towering walls that stood 25 meters.

After a long siege, however, Lucullus entered the city and sacked Tigranocerta.

In addition, foreign residents of destroyed statues and temples. They brought a lot of gold and silver to Rome.

Tigran the Great, however, managed to escape to the north, into the Armenian Highlands.

In addition, Cicero, a Roman politician and lawyer, spoke of Tigranes.

“Tigrans—who himself was an enemy of the Roman people, and who received our most active enemy on his territory, who fought against us, fought fierce battles with us, and who forced us to fight almost for our existence and supremacy—is king to this day , and received by his entreaties the name of a friend and ally, which he had previously lost by his hostile and warlike conduct."

– Cicero, ” For Sestius"

Artashat (Artashat)

Artashat (Artashat)

King Artashes I founded the city in 176 BC.

Artashat has been the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia since 185 BC. to 120 AD.

The city had names such as "Vostan Hayots", "court", and also "seal of the Armenians."

"Artashes traveled to the confluence of the Yeraskh and Metsamor (rivers) and with sympathy for the position of the mountains (Mount Ararat), he chose it as the site of his new city, calling it after himself."
– Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi

Greek historians Strabo and Plutarch describe Artashat as a large and beautiful city and the royal residence of the country.
According to Plutarch, it was also the royal residence of Tigranu.

Artashes I built a citadel (later called Khor Virap, the place where the Armenian king Trdat the Great imprisoned Gregory the Illuminator).

Karin (Feodosiopolis, Erzurum)

Karin (Feodosiopolis, Erzurum)

The Armenian royal dynasty founded the city.

In ancient times, the Armenian city of Erzurum existed under the name Karina.

The division of Armenia between the Eastern Roman Empire and Sasanian Persia took place in 387 AD. After this, the city passed into the hands of the Romans. They renamed it Theodosiopolis.

Feodosiopolis held a very important strategic position. It was fiercely contested in the wars between the Byzantines and Persians.

Around the middle of the 11th century, it received the name Arze-el-Rum, then contracted to Arzrum or Erzurum.

YEREVAN – CAPITAL OF ARMENIA

Currently, there are only a few cities in the world as old as one of the cities of Armenia, Yerevan.

Emperor of Ancient Urartu Argishti I founded the city in 782 BC. He built a fortress on the Arin-Berd hill and named it Erebuni.

The cuneiform says: “With the help of the great God Khaldi, the task of Argishti, son of Menua, built this powerful fortress and called it Erebuni.”

Ancient Yerevan has played a significant role in economic and political life for many years. Moreover, it suffered as much as other Armenian cities. However, Yerevan was not always the capital of Armenia.

Yerevan became the capital of Armenia only in 1920 and was the thirteenth capital. At that time, however, it was a small, uncomfortable, and ruined city. Thus, intensive construction began in the 1930s. It was built on the "RECIRCULA" principle.

Since 1936, the city of “Yerevan” officially became the new name of the city. Before this, the name was " Erivan ».

In addition, Yerevan is also the largest city in Armenia. This is the place where past and present meet.

Alexander Tamanyan, architect, became "father" modern city.

He created the unique image of Yerevan. “Aristocratic” classical architecture with skillful use of old architectural elements of Armenian builders created beautiful Yerevan.

In addition, Tamanyan uses tuff (a stone of volcanic origin, very light, strong and beautiful), which gives the streets an extraordinary variety. tuff tuff was the most used one.

Consequently, the Armenian capital is often called "pink city"

Yerevan is a leading industrial, cultural and scientific center in the Caucasus.

There are many places to visit in Yerevan. Lots of delicious food to suit your tastes and many shopping centers. The kindness and warmth of the local people will amaze you.

Let's see some of the most beautiful, interesting and unique attractions in Yerevan.

Yerevan – Cascade, photo by Karen Kansky Chakhalyan

CASCADE

Cascade was built in the 1970s. This is one of the most beloved and popular places in Yerevan. There are escalators in the Cascade building. There are also free museums on every floor.

The cascade is located at the very beginning of the street, which bears the name of the architect Tamanyan.

Yerevan Republic Square

Republic Square is the heart of Yerevan.

The Government House, the House of Ministries, the National Gallery and the History Museum are there.

In the center of the square, there are beautiful fountains.

Every day at 9:00 pm, there is a free show with dancing and colorful fountains.

MATENADARAN, YEREVAN

The name "Matenadaran" means "book depository" in ancient Armenian.

This is the pride of Armenian culture. In addition, Matenadaran is the world's largest repository of ancient manuscripts.

Matenadaran has special significance as an art museum. It has unique collections of book paintings, arts and crafts, and handwritten books.

More than 10,000 manuscripts in the world are in the Matenadaran.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The Art Gallery of Armenia in the post-Soviet space is one of the largest museums ever. It houses the largest collection of Armenian art in the world.

Opera

The most famous Armenian architect Alexander Tamaneanu designed the Opera and Ballet Theater (built in 1926-1963).

Theater Square or Freedom Square on the opposite side of the south side of the building, statues of the writer Hovhannes Tamanyan and composer Alexander Spendiarov.

Together with Republic Square, Freedom Square is one of the two main squares in the center of Yerevan.

Tsitsernakaberd

This memorial is dedicated to the more than 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Gyumri, the second largest city

Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia. It is located on the Shirak plateau.

Gyumri is also an industrial center. There is a cultural reserve, a historical reserve, a local history museum, and an art gallery. It is 126 km from Yerevan.

In old times and in the Middle Ages, the name of the city was Kumayri, then Gyumri until 1837. It had the name Alexandropol from 1837 to 1924 and Leninakan between 1924 and 1990. The city has the name Gyumri since 1990.

It is also one of the most popular cities in Armenia. In general, the population is very friendly and always ready to help everyone.

In addition, they have a very good sense of humor. You can feel this the very first moment you meet or meet a native Gyumri resident!

In addition, there are five churches, an Orthodox chapel and a monastery. The most magnificent and valuable among the churches is the Amenaprkich Church (Church of the Savior).

Amenaprkich Church (Church of the Savior).

Another great place of interest is the monument to Vardan Mamikonyan. It was opened in honor of the national hero of Armenia, defender of the Christian faith, Commander Vardana. In the Battle of Avarayr, the Iranian Sassanids killed him on May 26, 451.

In addition, Sparapet (commander) Vardan Mamikonyan and the soldiers killed along with him were canonized by the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Black Fortress is a massive abandoned Russian imperial fortress. It is located on the western border of the city. The fortress was built after the Russian-Turkish war between 1834 -1847.

Sev Berd (Black Fortress)

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Haghpat and Sanahin are located about 2 hours northeast of the city. Not to mention, this place is a must-visit for every history buff!

IJEVAN

Center of Tavush region, city of Ijevan 142km north of Yerevan.

Ijevan is an ideal destination for those who are into active holidays. Horse racing, walking and cycling, and tent evenings will satisfy lovers of active recreation.

People in Ijevan are proud of the botanical garden. There are a huge number of unique plants.

Ijevan city is also famous for carpet weaving. In the city of Ijevan you can find the largest carpet factory in the South Caucasus.

From 1985 -1990, sculptor festivals were organized in Ijevan annually. As a result, the city has the nickname "City of a Hundred Sculptures".

The city park is in the center. There are many rock sculptures by different artists from all over the world.

It is interesting to know that about 60% of the forests in Armenia are located in this region. Ijevan mountains are all covered with forests

The word “Erivan”, according to some historians, comes from Arabic. Today, about 1.3 million people live in modern Yerevan, located in the Ararat Valley. This is the most ancient city in Transcaucasia and one of the oldest in the world.

The most ancient city of Transcaucasia

According to the Old Testament legend, the prophet Noah sailed on his ark to Mount Ararat during the Flood. An Armenian legend says that Noah, releasing the animals onto the earth, exclaimed “Erevac!”, which translates as “she appeared!” Numerous excavations and finds testify to the antiquity of Yerevan. In the mid-twentieth century, archaeologists discovered the ruins of the ancient Urartian settlement of Erebuni, which was founded back in 782 BC. However, there is still no information about how the city of Erevan was born.

At the beginning of the 5th century, on the site of modern Yerevan, the Church of Peter and Paul was founded, which was demolished during the Stalinist regime in 1931.

The history of Yerevan, like the entire Armenian state, is the history of the struggle of the Armenian nation for its existence and freedom. The city was repeatedly captured and plundered. At the end of 658, Yerevan fell under Arab rule. According to an unproven theory, it was during this period that “Erebuni” was renamed “Erevan” in Arabic. Having remained under the patronage of the Arab caliph for several centuries, the city came under the rule of the Seljuks.

From time immemorial, Armenians have been engaged in agriculture, carpet weaving and winemaking. So the inhabitants of ancient Yerevan made wine, wove carpets, reaped rich harvests of fruits and vegetables, fortunately, the abundance of sun and fertile soil contributed to this. Unfortunately, the fertile lands of Armenia and the fruits of the activities of the Armenians attracted the attention of neighboring empires.

For 500 years, foreign invaders represented by the Seljuk Turks and Persians alternately conquered Yerevan and all of Armenia. Russia, by the way, also tried more than once to subjugate the ancient city, however, only in 1827 did Russian troops enter the city. Erivan became part of the Russian Empire, turning into the Erivan province. During the troubled revolutionary years, Erivan became the main city of the Republic of Armenia, and then the capital of the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

During the Soviet years, industry developed in the city, Yerevan completely changed its architectural appearance. Power plants appear, the subway is launched.

Today, the most ancient city of Transcaucasia is the capital of the independent Republic of Armenia. The city has offices of large foreign companies, banks and ultra-modern business centers. Every year, tourists from all over the post-Soviet space and other parts of the planet come to the city to admire the ancient Armenian culture, enjoy the local landscape and taste the national cuisine.

The history of Ancient Armenia goes back more than one thousand years, and the Armenians themselves lived long before the emergence of the nations of modern Europe. They existed before the advent of ancient peoples - the Romans and Hellenes.

First mentions

In the cuneiform writings of the Persian rulers the name "Arminia" is found. Herodotus also mentions “armen” in his writings. According to one version, they were Indo-European people who migrated from Europe in the 12th century. BC e.

Another hypothesis states that proto-Armenian tribal unions arose for the first time in the 4th-3rd millennium BC. It is they, as some scientists claim, that are found in the poem “Iliad” by Homer under the name “arima”.

One of the names of Ancient Armenia - Hay - according to the proposals of scientists, comes from the name of the people "Hayasy". This name is mentioned on clay Hittite tablets in the 2nd millennium BC. BC, discovered during archaeological excavations of Hattusashi, the ancient capital of the Hittites.

There is information that the Assyrians called this territory the country of rivers - Nairi. According to one hypothesis, it included 60 different peoples.

At the beginning of the 9th century. BC e. the powerful kingdom of Urartu arose with its capital Van. It is believed that this is the oldest state on the territory of the Soviet Union. The civilization of Urartu, of which the Armenians became successors, was quite developed. There was writing based on Babylonian-Assyrian cuneiform, agriculture, cattle breeding, and metallurgy.

Urartu was famous for its technology of constructing impregnable fortresses. There were two of them on the territory of modern Yerevan. The first - Erebuni, was built by one of the first kings of Argishti. It was she who gave the name to the modern capital of Armenia. The second is Teishebaini, founded by King Rusa II (685-645 BC). This was the last ruler of Urartu. The state was unable to resist the powerful Assyria and perished forever from its weapons.

It was replaced by a new state. The first kings of Ancient Armenia were Yerwand and Tigran. The latter should not be confused with the famous ruler Tigran the Great, who would later terrify the Roman Empire and create a great empire in the East. A new people appeared, formed as a result of the assimilation of Indo-Europeans with the local ancient tribes of the Hayami and Urartu. From here came a new state - Ancient Armenia with its own culture and language.

Persian vassals

At one time, Persia was a powerful state. All the peoples living in Asia Minor submitted to them. This fate befell the Armenian kingdom. The Persian rule over them lasted more than two centuries (550-330 BC).

Greek historians about Armenia during the times of the Persians

Armenia is an ancient civilization. This is confirmed by many historians of antiquity, for example, Xenophon in the 5th century BC. e. As a participant in the events, the author of Anabasis described the retreat of 10 thousand Greeks to the Black Sea through a country called Ancient Armenia. The Greeks saw developed economic activity, as well as the life of the Armenians. Everywhere in these parts they found wheat, barley, aromatic wines, lard, various oils - pistachio, sesame, almond. The ancient Hellenes also saw raisins and legumes here. In addition to crop products, Armenians raised domestic animals: goats, cows, pigs, chickens, horses. Xenophon's data tells descendants that the people living in this place were economically developed. The abundance of different products is striking. The Armenians not only produced food themselves, but also actively engaged in trade with neighboring lands. Of course, Xenophon didn’t say anything about this, but he listed some products that do not grow in this area.

Strabo in the 1st century n. e. reports that ancient Armenia had very good pastures for horses. The country was not inferior to Media in this regard and supplied horses annually to the Persians. Strabo mentions the obligation of the Armenian satraps, administrative governors during the reign of the Persians, to supply about two thousand young foals in honor of the famous festival of Mithras.

Armenian wars in ancient times

The historian Herodotus (5th century BC) described the Armenian warriors of that era and their weapons. The soldiers wore small shields and had short spears, swords, and darts. On their heads were wicker helmets, and they were wearing high boots.

Conquest of Armenia by Alexander the Great

The era of Alexander the Great redrew the entire map of the Mediterranean. All the lands of the vast Persian empire became part of the new political union under the rule of Macedonia.

After the death of Alexander the Great, the state disintegrates. The Seleucid state is formed in the east. The once unified territory of a single people was divided into three separate regions within the new country: Greater Armenia, located on the Ararat Plain, Sophene - between the Euphrates and the upper reaches of the Tigris, and Lesser Armenia - between the Euphrates and the upper reaches of the Lykos.

The history of ancient Armenia, although it speaks of constant dependence on other states, shows that it concerned only issues of foreign policy, which had a beneficial effect on the development of the future state. It was a kind of prototype of an autonomous republic as part of successive empires.

Often called basileus, i.e. kings. They maintained only formal dependence, sending tribute and troops to the center in wartime. Neither the Persians nor the Hellenistic Seleucid state made any attempts to penetrate the internal structure of the Armenians. If the former ruled almost all of their remote territories in this way, the successors of the Greeks always changed the internal structure of the conquered peoples, imposing on them “democratic values” and a special order.

Collapse of the Seleucid state, unification of Armenia

After the defeat of the Seleucids from Rome, the Armenians gained temporary independence. After the war with the Hellenes, Rome was not yet ready to begin new conquests of peoples. The once united people took advantage of this. Attempts began to restore a single state, which was called “Ancient Armenia”.

The ruler of Greater Armenia, Artashes, declared himself an independent king, Artashes I. He united all the lands that spoke the same language, including Lesser Armenia. The last region of Sophen became part of the new state later, 70 years later, under the famous ruler Tigran the Great.

The final formation of the Armenian nationality

It is believed that under the new Artashesid dynasty a great historical event took place - the formation of the Armenian nationality with its own language and culture. They were greatly influenced by their proximity to developed Hellenistic peoples. Minting their own coins with Greek inscriptions indicated the strong influence of their neighbors on culture and trade.

Artashat - the capital of the ancient state of Great Armenia

During the reign of the Artashesid dynasty, the first large cities appeared. Among them is the city of Artashat, which became the first capital of the new state. Translated from Greek, it meant “the joy of Artaxius.”

The new capital had an advantageous geographical location in that era. It was located on the main route to the Black Sea ports. The appearance of the city coincided with the establishment of overland trade relations between Asia and India and China. Artashat began to acquire the status of a major trade and political center. Plutarch highly appreciated the role of this city. He gave it the status of “Carthage of Armenia,” which translated into modern language meant a city that unites all nearby lands. All Mediterranean powers knew about the beauty and luxury of Artashat.

The rise of the Armenian kingdom

The history of Armenia since ancient times contains bright moments of the power of this state. The golden age occurred during the reign of Tigran the Great (95-55), the grandson of the founder of the famous dynasty Artashes I. Tigranakert became the capital of the state. This city became one of the leading centers of science, literature and art throughout the Ancient World. The best Greek actors performed in the local theater, famous scientists and historians were frequent guests of Tigran the Great. One of them is the philosopher Metrodorus, who was an ardent opponent of the growing Roman Empire.

Armenia became part of the Hellenistic world. The Greek language penetrated the aristocratic elite.

Armenia is a unique part of Hellenistic culture

Armenia in the 1st century BC e. - a developed advanced state in the world. She took all the best that was in the world - culture, science, art. Tigran the Great developed theaters and schools. Armenia was not only the cultural center of Hellenism, but also an economically strong state. Trade, industry, and crafts grew. A distinctive feature of the state was that it did not adopt the system of slavery that the Greeks and Romans used. All lands were cultivated by peasant communities, whose members were free.

The Armenia of Tigran the Great spread over vast territories. This was an empire that covered a huge part from the Caspian to the Mediterranean seas. Many peoples and states became its vassals: in the north - Tsibania, Iberia, in the southeast - Parthia and Arab tribes.

Conquest by Rome, end of the Armenian Empire

The rise of Armenia coincided with the rise of another eastern state on the territory of the former USSR - Pontus, led by Mithridates. After long wars with Rome, Pontus also lost its independence. Armenia had good neighborly relations with Mithridates. After his defeat, she was left alone with powerful Rome.

After long wars, a unified Armenian Empire in 69-66. BC e. fell apart. Only one remained under the rule of Tigran, who was declared a “friend and ally” of Rome. This is what all the conquered states were called. In fact, the country has turned into just another province.

After entering the Roman Empire, the ancient stage of statehood begins. The country fell apart, its lands were appropriated by other states, and the local population was constantly in conflict with each other.

Armenian alphabet

In ancient times, Armenians used a writing system based on the Babylonian-Assyrian cuneiform script. In the heyday of Armenia, during the time of Tigran the Great, the country completely switched to the Greek language in business transactions. Archaeologists find Greek writing on coins.

Created by Mesrop Mashtots relatively late - in 405. It originally consisted of 36 letters: 7 vowels and 29 consonants.

The main 4 graphic forms of the Armenian letter - erkatagir, bolorgir, shkhagir and notrgir - developed only in the Middle Ages.