Khor Virap, Noravank & Areni-1 Cave Day Tour

Programm:

This day tour traces some of Armenia's deepest history - from the birthplace of Armenian Christianity to a medieval cliffside monastery and a cave that holds the world's oldest known winery.

Khor Virap

Set on a hill in the village of Pokr Vedi, in the Ararat region, Khor Virap is one of the holiest sites of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

• The pit of Gregory the Illuminator: according to tradition, this is where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for years by order of King Tiridates III for preaching Christianity. After Gregory later cured the king of a serious illness, Tiridates III declared Christianity the state religion - a turning point in Armenian history.
• Views of Mount Ararat: Khor Virap is the closest point in Armenia to Mount Ararat, offering one of the best views of the mountain in the country.

Noravank

One of medieval Armenia's most significant cultural and religious centers, Noravank sits in the Vayots Dzor region, in the gorge of the Arpa River, ringed by steep cliffs.

• St. Karapet Church (1216–1221) and St. Grigor the Illuminator Church (1275).
• St. Astvatsatsin Church (1339): a two-story structure notable for its architectural and sculptural detail, with a distinctive narrow, pyramid-shaped staircase leading to the upper floor of the western façade.

Areni-1 Cave ("Bird Cave")

Located 12 km from Yeghegnadzor on the left bank of the Areni River, this cave spans three chambers and roughly 500 m², much of it still unexcavated.

• Archaeological finds: metal knives, fruit seeds, grain remains, rope, ceramics, clothing, raisins, and prunes dating to 4200–3500 BC.
• World firsts: the world's oldest known leather shoe (over 5,500 years old), a woman's skirt dated to around 3900 BC, and the world's oldest known winery, dating to the 4th millennium BC.
• Ritual use: the cave was not used as a dwelling - wine consumption here is believed to have been part of ritual practice.