Echmiadzin Monastery
Echmiadzin Monastery
4.5
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- Meline 'TourGuide' Welcome to 🇦🇲Armenia286 contributionsSpirutal center of Armenia.If you really want to know everything about Christianity in details, then it's definitely worth to visit here. The cathedral was built from 301-303 as the Christiany was accepted as a state religion. This church consider to be the first and the oldest church in the world. Lots of people from all over the world are coming here.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten June 14, 2024
- beetcanner732 contributionsThis Is The Vatican Of ArmeniaNotably a premier pilgrimage destination, Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral is the clenter of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the oldest Christian cathedral on the planet. This complex contains a monastery, convent, cathedral, refectory, the treasury, library and various buildings. The treasury is a museum housing a framed chunk of Noah's Ark and the holy lance that pierced Christ on the cross. Both have been carbon-dated. This is worth a visit rain or shine.Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten July 26, 2024
- laczkozsuDebrecen, Hungary2,298 contributionsA major religious centreThis famous religious centre is located 15 km from Yerevan: monastery, cathedral, museum and treasury. It is one of the oldest state-built Christian churches in the world. It is known as the local Canterbury or the Vatican of Armenia. Unfortunately, the cathedral is not open to visitors, it has been under renovation for years. It is worth going to the museum to see the religious relics in the treasury (a piece of Noah's Ark, a piece of Christ's cross and the spearhead that pierced Christ). The entry fee is 2000 drams for adults.Visited August 2024Travelled with friendsWritten September 11, 2024
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Meline 'TourGuide' Welcome to 🇦🇲
Armenia286 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
If you really want to know everything about Christianity in details, then it's definitely worth to visit here. The cathedral was built from 301-303 as the Christiany was accepted as a state religion. This church consider to be the first and the oldest church in the world. Lots of people from all over the world are coming here.
Written June 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RainStormLover
World190 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Echmiadzin is the first and oldest of the Armenian monasteries. It is simply spectacular. The monastic grounds have been updated over the centuries and a must see. My recommendation is to avoid Sunday service. The museum itself is closed until 2pm, and the service itself is very difficult to hear from the inside because it is packed with crowds and local as well as tourists alike can't manage to keep quiet and preserve the sanctity of these ancient services. If you insist on seeing the service, which truly is special, sitting outside near one of the outdoor speakers is the best way to hear it all and enjoy the beauty of Echmiadzin. The grounds are beautiful with khachkars and flowers everywhere. The gift shop is also superb and highly recommended for souvenirs.
Written August 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meresanch
Prague97 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
This was the only place in Armenia which didn´t touch me at all. Perhaps because the main church was covered by scaffolding and I din´t feel any genius loci at this location. For me disappointment (but balanced by many other much more beutiful church places in the country).
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deborahk3
Maidstone, UK1,822 contributions
Jun 2016
Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia, and just outside of Yerevan. According to scholars it was the first cathedral (but not the first church) built in ancient Armenia, and is considered the oldest cathedral in the world.
The original church was built in the early fourth century between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a pre-existing temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.
Although never losing its significance, the cathedral subsequently suffered centuries of virtual neglect. In 1441 it was restored as catholicosate and remains as such to this day. Since then the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been the administrative headquarters of the Armenian Church. Etchmiadzin was plundered by Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1604, when relics and stones were taken out of the cathedral in an effort to undermine Armenians' attachment to their land. Since then the cathedral has undergone a number of renovations, with Belfries being added. On our visit the Cathedral was scaffolded and renovations were on going both in and outside. We saw a number of Artefacts inside and even a piece of Noah's ark that was found at the top of Mt Arara. I'm not convinced but respect the religious views and thought of others. The whole complex is quite large, with a number of Christian buildings and a shop. The grounds are well kept and the tour staff are informative and helpful.
The original church was built in the early fourth century between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a pre-existing temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church.
Although never losing its significance, the cathedral subsequently suffered centuries of virtual neglect. In 1441 it was restored as catholicosate and remains as such to this day. Since then the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been the administrative headquarters of the Armenian Church. Etchmiadzin was plundered by Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1604, when relics and stones were taken out of the cathedral in an effort to undermine Armenians' attachment to their land. Since then the cathedral has undergone a number of renovations, with Belfries being added. On our visit the Cathedral was scaffolded and renovations were on going both in and outside. We saw a number of Artefacts inside and even a piece of Noah's ark that was found at the top of Mt Arara. I'm not convinced but respect the religious views and thought of others. The whole complex is quite large, with a number of Christian buildings and a shop. The grounds are well kept and the tour staff are informative and helpful.
Written August 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pinoytraveller2
Luzon, Philippines15,100 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
Although I planned to book all my tours through Hyur Service, their scheduled tour for Echmiadzin Monastery did not fit into my itinerary so I did this tour independently. It was just a short bus ride from Yerevan. The Echmiadzin Monastery being a UNESCO world heritage site in Armenia should not be missed. There are construction works at the entrance and the church inside was under renovation. The bright and colorful flowers at the gardens added beauty to the surroundings. A visit to Echmiadzin Monastery should be combined with Zvartnots Cathedral which is a short taxi ride away.
Written January 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ctsounis
New York City, NY1,026 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
Going to this monastery is like walking in the past. Armenian architecture. Everything traditional. We visited the residence of the Catholicos, in addition to other structures.
The Khachkars are noticeable. hey are ancient stone engravings that are unique to Armenia. They commemorate significant events in Armenian history. There is a modern monument khachkar in memory of the Armenian genocide.
The Khachkars are noticeable. hey are ancient stone engravings that are unique to Armenia. They commemorate significant events in Armenian history. There is a modern monument khachkar in memory of the Armenian genocide.
Written November 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nouzab
Viti Levu, Fiji3,149 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
A large complex covering more than 10 Christian buildings. Most of these got historical significance while few were added later. Just 30 min by taxi from Yerevan but can spend almost a day with all buildings. Better to read online before visiting the site.
Written October 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariannefadel
Beirut, Lebanon30 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
Visited the church and they opened us the underground which seems to be closed to the public upon private demand...we saw the ruins of what looked like an old pagan temple! Thx for that
Written July 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlanofLondon
Greater London, UK318 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Even for a non-Armenian this is a spiritual place. One can sense the history and the love that has gone into the decoration of the Cathedral. Our visit was disrupted as the Pope was visiting too, and not surprisingly he had priority! However, the wonderful flowers placed for the Pope made the Cathedral even more beautiful.
Written July 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoddersGlobetrotter
London, UK128 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
The church is very beautiful, but the museum is not so great. It contains a fragment of "Noah's Ark", the spearhead that pierced "Christ" and a splinter from the crucifix that Christ was nailed to. Okay, let's get real for a minute, these "artefacts" clearly have no crediblity whatsoever. It's worth a visit if you'd like to see a beautiful old church but skip the museum.
Written March 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Вы хотите взять тур в Эчмиадзин?
Written January 3, 2019
cuanato tiempo se necesita para la visita ?
Written April 2, 2015
30 minutos no máximo.
20 minutos de táxi do centro de yerevan.
Written May 3, 2018
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