List of World Heritage Sites in Armenia

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Location of UNESCO World Heritage Sites within Armenia

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries which are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. [1] Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, are defined as natural heritage. [2] Armenia ratified the convention on 5 September 1993. [3]

Contents

Armenia has three sites on the list, all of which are monasteries, churches, or related religious sites. The first property listed in Armenia was the Haghpat Monastery, in 1996. In 2000, the site was extended to include the Sanahin Monastery. In 2000, two further properties were added, the Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin together with the archaeological site of Zvartnots, and the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley. All three sites are of the cultural type. There are additional four sites on the tentative list. [3]

World Heritage Sites

UNESCO lists sites under ten criteria; each entry must meet at least one of the criteria. Criteria i through vi are cultural, and vii through x are natural. [4]

World Heritage Sites
SiteImageLocationYear listedUNESCO dataDescription
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin Armenia Haghbat.jpg Lori Province 1996777bis; ii, iv (cultural)The monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin were constructed in the second half of the 10th century under the patronage of Queen Khosrovanush, wife of King Ashot III. Additional buildings in both complexes were being added until the 13th century. Architecturally, the monasteries combine the features of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture with the vernacular regional styles from the Caucasus. The Haghpat Monastery (pictured) was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1996, the Sanahin Monastery was added in 2000. [5] [6]
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley Monasterio de Geghard, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 92.jpg Kotayk Province 2000960; ii (cultural)The Monastery of Geghard is located in the Azat River gorge. Saint Gregory the Illuminator founded the monastery in the 4th century, according to tradition. This coincided with the introduction of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia. The main complex dates to the 13th century. It includes rock-cut churches, tombs, residential cells, and several khachkars (Armenian memorial stele with decorated crosses). The monastery was an important ecclesial and cultural centre of medieval Armenia. [7]
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots Etchmiadzin cathedral.jpg Armavir Province 20001011; ii, iii (cultural)This site covers churches that illustrate the evolution and development of Armenian ecclesial architecture. Churches in Etchmiadzin (today called Vagharshapat) include the Etchmiadzin Cathedral (founded in 301, pictured), Saint Gayane Church (630), Saint Hripsime Church (618), and Shoghakat Church (built in 1694 upon a 4th century chapel). The Zvartnots Church was built in the 7th century but destroyed in the 10th century, possibly due to an earthquake. [8]

Tentative list

In addition to the sites inscribed on the World Heritage list, member states can maintain a list of tentative sites that they may consider for nomination. Nominations for the World Heritage list are only accepted if the site has previously been listed on the tentative list. [9] Armenia has four such sites. [3]

Tentative sites
SiteImageLocationYear listedUNESCO criteriaDescription
The archaeological site of the city of Dvin Dvin Capital.jpg Ararat Province 1995ii, iii, vi (cultural)King Khosrov III built a palace in Dvin in the 4th century, to serve as the capital of Armenia and the seat of Catholicos. During the Sasanian period and under the Caliphate, Dvin served as a regional capital. In the 13th century, it was destroyed by the Mongols. [10] [11]
The basilica and archaeological site of Yererouk Ererowyk`i Tachar 05.jpg Shirak Province 1995iii, iv, vi (cultural)The basilica was built in the 4th century CE and is one of the earliest Christian monuments in Armenia. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 17th century and is now a ruin. [12]
The monastery of Noravank and the upper Amaghou Valley Noravanq4.jpg Vayots Dzor Province 1995i, iii, vi, vii, ix (mixed)The monastery dates to the 13th century and is located in a river gorge. Some buildings in the complex were designed by the architect Momik. [13]
The monasteries of Tatev and Tatevi Anapat and the adjacent areas of the Vorotan Valley Monasterio de Tatev, Armenia, 2016-10-01, DD 86-88 HDR.jpg Syunik Province 1995i, ii, iv, vi, vii, ix (mixed)The monastery of Tatev, dating from the 9th to 13th centuries, lies above the Vorotan gorge, while the Tatevi Anapat monastery from the 17th century lies on the bottom of the valley. The gorge, with the depth of 850 metres (2,790 ft), is the deepest in Armenia. [14]
Vishaps and the Cultural Landscape of Tirinkatar Vishap phallus metsamor hill.jpg Aragatsotn Province 2024ii, iii, vi (cultural)In the high mountains of Armenia, unique archaeological monuments have been preserved to our days, which are traditionally called by the people “vishap” (Armenian for “dragon”). These are two to five meter high basalt stelae, which are unique among the stone stelae of the ancient world because of their unparalleled animal iconography and peculiar locations. Vishaps are either sculpted in the form of a fish (the piscis kind) or carved as if a bovine hide with head and extremities was draped over them (the vellus kind). Sometimes both iconographies are combined (the hybrida kind). [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanahin</span> Place in Lori, Armenia

Sanahin is a district of the city of Alaverdi in the northern province of Lori in Armenia. Once a separate village, it is the location of the Sanahin Monastery complex, founded in the 10th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Haghpat Monastery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haghpat Monastery</span>

Haghpat Monastery, also known as Haghpatavank, is a medieval monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia, built between the 10th and 13th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armenian architecture</span> Architectural works connected to the Armenian people

Armenian architecture comprises architectural works with an aesthetic or historical connection to the Armenian people. It is difficult to situate this architectural style within precise geographical or chronological limits, but many of its monuments were created in the regions of historical Armenia, the Armenian Highlands. The greatest achievement of Armenian architecture is generally agreed to be its medieval churches and seventh century churches, though there are different opinions precisely in which respects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zvartnots Cathedral</span>

Zvartnots Cathedral is a medieval Armenian cathedral near Vagharshapat (Ejmiatsin), Armenia. Built in the seventh century and now lying in ruins, Zvartnots was noted for its circular exterior structure, unique in medieval Armenian architecture, and a set of interior piers that upheld a multifloor structure crowned with a dome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Armenia</span>

Tourism in Armenia has been a key sector to the Armenian economy since the 1990s when tourist numbers exceeded half a million people visiting the country every year. The Armenian Ministry of Economy reports that most international tourists come from Russia, EU states, the United States and Iran. Though relatively small in size, Armenia has four UNESCO world heritage sites.

References

  1. ↑ "The World Heritage Convention". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  2. ↑ "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Armenia". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "UNESCO World Heritage Centre – The Criteria for Selection". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  5. ↑ "Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (Documents)". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  8. ↑ "Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  9. ↑ "Tentative Lists". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "The archaeological site of the city of Dvin". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  11. ↑ Kettenhofen, Erich (2 December 2011) [15 December 1996]. "Dvin". Encyclopædia Iranica. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "The basilica and archaeological site of Yererouk". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "The monastery of Noravank and the upper Amaghou Valley". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "The monasteries of Tatev and Tatevi Anapat and the adjacent areas of the Vorotan Valley". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "The Vishaps and the Cultural Landscape of Tirinkatar". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
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