Mount Ara is an extinct volcano in Armenia with an elevation of 2577 meters. It is situated between the Kasagh and Hrazdan rivers. The mountain is named after the legendary Armenian King Ara the Beautiful. According to tradition during the war with the Assyrian Queen Semiramis Ara the Beautiful positioned his troops at the foot of this mountain. When viewed from a distance the mountain truly resembles a lying giant or the "Sleeping King." Mount Ara is famous for its rich flor

Rising in the city of Ashtarak in the Aragatsotn region Saint Marianeh Church is one of the finest examples of medieval Armenian architecture. Built in 1281 it is distinguished by its high slender drum and perfect proportions. Valuable inscriptions regarding the church's construction have been preserved on the southern wall. Built from local brownish tuff this temple is visible from various points of the city and is an integral part of Ashtarak's historical character. Sai

In the historic village of Oshakan in the Aragatsotn region lies one of the most sacred sanctuaries for the Armenian people - Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church. This is the resting place of Mesrop Mashtots the genius creator of the Armenian alphabet. The current church was built in 1875-1879 under the initiative of Catholicos George IV on the site of an ancient 5th-century chapel. The interior of the temple is decorated with magnificent frescoes and the courtyard features unique

Saghmosavank is one of the most impressive and complete monuments of Armenian medieval architecture. It is located in the village of Saghmosavan in the Aragatsotn region on the edge of the deep precipice of the Kasagh River gorge. The monastery stands out for the audacity of its engineering solutions the perfection of its architectural forms and its exceptional harmony with the natural landscape. 1. Historical Overview and Foundation The main construction of the complex is li

Located on the southern slope of Mount Aragats the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory is one of the most important centers of global science. It was founded in 1946 through the efforts of the world-renowned scientist Viktor Ambartsumian . The observatory is famous for its unique research particularly in discovering stellar associations and the activity of galactic nuclei. It houses the region's largest 2.6-meter diameter mirror telescope. Byurakan is not only a scientific hub