"Arch of Charents" was created by architect Raphael Israelyan. One day on his way to Garni, he stopped at this place and, noticing that a picturesque view opens from there to Mount Ararat, he decided to build an arch as a "temple" to Ararat. The Arch was constructed in 1957. It is like a picture frame, from where a mesmerizing view opens to the Ararat valley with Masis floating in the distance. You can make stunning pictures here against the backdrop of the Arch and Mountain Ararat, only the weather should be clear.

The Temple of Garni is an ancient, well-preserved Greco-Roman temple located in the village of Garni, Armenia. It stands as one of the most iconic examples of pre-Christian Armenian architecture and is a testament to the country's historical and cultural connections with the classical world. Historical Background Constructed in the 1st century AD, during the reign of King Tiridates I, the temple is believed to have been dedicated to the sun god Mihr. Its construction was part of a broader cultural exchange following Tiridates' visit to Rome, where he was crowned by Emperor Nero. This exchange brought Roman architectural influences to Armenia, evident in the temple's design. Cultural and Religious Significance Initially a place of pagan worship, the Temple of Garni holds significant cultural importance in Armenia. It is the only Greco-Roman colonnaded building in the country and a symbol of Armenia's ancient pre-Christian heritage. After adopting Christianity After Christianity became the state religion in 301 AD, many pagan structures were destroyed or repurposed. However, Garni's remote location and robust construction allowed it to survive, becoming the kings' summer residence.

Descending into the Garni Gorge, just below the village and temple of Garni, you will find the Symphony of Stones or Stone Symphony, a natural monument protected by law. This impressive structure comprises walls of well-preserved hexagonal and pentagonal basalt columns carved out by the Goght River. Towering nearly 50 meters high and seeming to hang against gravity itself, these symmetrical columns lining the gorge walls are sometimes called the Basalt Organ.

As the saying goes: "Bread is the staff of life." Lavash is one of the most popular gastronomic icons of Armenia, serving as an integral part of Armenian cuisine. It is a traditional soft, thin flatbread, made in tonir (special ground oven). Although the baking process of lavash requires much special skills, it is undertaken by women. For centuries, lavash has been consumed by all classes of Armenian society; it is valued for the unique taste and the ability to be stored for quite a long period of time without losing its positive qualities. In 2014, "The preparation, meaning, and appearance of traditional bread lavash as an expression of Armenian culture" was inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. You will taste baked lavash together with some fresh greens and yummy local cheese. Feeling the smell of lavash once, you will save this impression for your whole life.

Geghard monastery is the unsurpassable masterpiece of 13th-century Armenian architecture. Some of the churches of the complex are masterfully hewn in a huge rock. From the outset, the complex was called Ayrivank (cave monastery), later it was renamed Geghard (lance) as the lance, used by the Roman soldiers to sting Jesus Christ's side, had been kept in this monastery for many centuries. Due to its construction, Geghardavank serves as the best place for singing spiritual songs. The complex is rich in subtle sculptural embellishments and many striking khachkars (cross-stones). The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.