Aragats

 

A trip to Aragats will be a journey that will help you to better understand the Armenian history as you will have a chance to see the “Armenian Alphabet Monument” that celebrates the 1600 years since the Armenian alphabet was invented. The Armenian alphabet has been used to write the Armenian language since the year 405 or 406 and is still used. It was devised by Saint Mesrop Mashtots in order to make the Bible accessible to Armenians and spread Christianity. Originally it contained 36 letters and had been completed in the Middle Ages.It is located in the village of Artashavan, at the east side bottom of Mt. Aragats. The monument is designed by the famous Armenian architect Jim Torosyan.

As you can see from the pictures, the monument is an interesting demonstration of the stone carvings of 39 Armenian letters.

 

Mount Aragats (4095 m), one of the amazing places to see, is the highest point of the Republic of Armenia and is located about 40 minutes in the north from Yerevan. It is a single extinct volcano with a crater that has become an ice basin (about 400 m deep). This extinct volcano has formed 4 peaks: the northern peak is 4095m above sea level, the western, eastern and southern peaks are 4080m, 3916m and 3879m high respectively.  This four-peaked giant is one the most favourite mountains for climbers.

Lake Kari (Stone Lake) is a small lake on the slopes of Mount Aragats. It is located 3,207 m above sea level, the surface area is 0,12 sq.m, the depth-9 m. The lake appeared from ice formations. It is surrounded by snow most of the time and that is why water is rather cold.

 

While visiting Aragats you will have a chance to see Amberd, a 7th-century fortress located on the slopes of Mount Aragats at the confluence of the Arkashen and Amberd rivers. The complex of Amberd Fortress Castle includes the defensive walls, the castle, bath and the church.