The incredibly beautiful monastery is amazing, stunning, the most impressive of all that I have seen so far. A fabulously beautiful ornament inside, it is hard to believe that such beauty was collected by people manually in those years. It's great that it was restored and returned to its original appearance, thank you!!!
An excursion to the museum at the monastery added a fly in the ointment to this wonderful place.Yesterday, on April 20, 2024, we visited the Echmiadzin Monastery. We felt the grace and beauty of this place. We eagerly took an excursion to the museum at 14.00. We waited for the start of the excursion for almost an hour and a half. By the beginning of the tour, a lot of people had gathered. Tickets can only be purchased in cash. Why?
Next, Anya's instructor came out, by the way, late, and took everyone to the museum. For such a tiny museum, the number of tourists was clearly in excess. Everyone had to crowd around the exhibits. Anya's guide led the tour listlessly, completely uninterested, spoke very quietly, many participants of the tour could practically not hear anything. One of the participants of the tour asked the guide Ani to speak louder, because there are a lot of visitors. To which the guide replied sharply: "So come closer! "The participant reasonably replied: "how to get closer if there are already too many people gathering near each exhibit." Ani's guide ignored this request and, as if on purpose, began to speak even more quietly, turning away from the visitors. She also ignored questions from visitors. For example, one of the visitors, an Armenian man, asked a question about the spearhead of Geghard, the guide did not answer anything and moved on to another exhibit. There was confusion and displeasure in the group of visitors.
In this regard, there are wishes for the management of the museum:
1. Conduct excursions more often, every hour, for example, rather than waiting for too many people to gather. There shouldn't be a crowd in the museum.
2. Make it possible to purchase tickets using bank cards, and not only for cash.
3. Work with your guides, especially with Ani's employee, so that they speak louder, do not mumble, do not swallow the end of phrases, are interested in what they are talking about and interact with visitors, politely answering their questions.
Employees such as Ani's tour guide make bad publicity for the monastery as a whole.
A place far from the hustle and bustle of the world, where you will find peace and tranquility. A well-maintained park surrounded by church architecture. In fact, you find yourself in a place - the religion of Armenia. Both services and training take place here. And we, representatives of ordinary life, are given the opportunity to plunge into the feeling of freedom and silence.
Some kind of strange rule about banning dogs, even if they are on their hands. At the same time, not all entrances have this prohibition 🤡 we came in with a dog, as a result, we listened to what we should apologize for, and why with a dog, and we need to leave
The guard and the woman could not figure out where the administration was. Some kind of nervous guys.
We will not come any more and will not advise anyone
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Александр
Level 30 Local Expert
January 23
The monastery surprises and shocks. I left a review about the temple separately. I would also like to mention the external altar, the library, and the different styles and khachkars. Plus lunch in the monastery canteen, I'm attaching photos.
The most peaceful and beautiful place, thanks to the guide for the guided tour. I think I have become closer to God 🙏spent a wonderful Mother's Day with my beloved mother
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2
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Владимир Каширский
Level 6 Local Expert
October 3, 2024
The temple is open after a long reconstruction! I recommend everyone to visit it and be sure to visit the museum, where ancient artifacts are kept, including the famous spear!
A large territory, everything is green and beautiful, peace and tranquility.
There is a refectory on site, recreating the atmosphere of medieval monasticism (very colorful), where you can have lunch.
The treasury, where the most important shrines are kept, is mandatory to visit: a piece of Noah's Ark, the relics of Gregory the Illuminator and the Spear of Fate - the tip of the pike that the Roman warrior Longinus plunged into the body of Christ (according to dating, this tip is the earliest of the existing 4 in the world, therefore it is more likely that this is the tip). A visit to the treasury as part of an excursion
A beautiful place and very spiritual, ancient churches, a museum, everything is saturated with grace, I highly recommend visiting it at least once, enjoy the history
The monastery itself is under restoration (January 2022), the territory is neatly maintained (of course, the residence of Catalikos, after all). A very interesting museum in the treasury. The strict regime of visiting the museum spoils the impression somewhat - only with an excursion, only with a full-time guide. They are recruiting a large group of tourists, and they had to wait 15-20 minutes longer than the announced time. Then a local guide guides the group around the museum in a tight rhythm. After the end of the tour, it is no longer possible to see on your own, because the entrance and exit are only with this guide. In fairness, it should be noted that the local guides speak pure Russian, which is not often the case in Armenia.
The price is 1500 dr for an adult, 200 dr for schoolchildren. Yes, most museums in Armenia have substantial discounts for Russian schoolchildren!
It is not the first year that the monastery has been under renovation, it is very sad. Judging by the pace of work, the reconstruction will not end soon. Otherwise, it's not bad, you can walk around the territory. There are a lot of tourists. Our stay was marred by the "detention of us by the local police" without explanation. We were taken to the department to check our documents, after an hour of staying there, we were simply released in the same way without an explanation of the "detention"... Why in kovychki, because as they explained, no one detained us. And after returning to the monastery, we were clearly not welcome there. What is the reason for this behavior on the part of law enforcement agencies and such hostility towards us on the part of the staff and residents of the monastery is unclear to us. We all have Russian passports, without any "problems" in the past. There were four of us, my husband and I and 2 pensioners. I'm pregnant, my dad is disabled. It's a shame that this happened
It's a very atmospheric place. Unfortunately, the central temple has been under restoration for a long time, but you can visit the museum of Kayalikoz and walk around the territory. The new temple is interesting in its architecture.
It is quite beautiful, there are few people. A great place to go for a walk!!! There is a cool treasure trove where there is something to see. A must-visit when visiting Armenia.
It is a very beautiful and quiet place, the historical buildings are in good condition and they are being monitored, the territory is clean and tidy, but the tour will take a maximum of 1.5 hours
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3
Гаянэ Апетян
Level 11 Local Expert
May 31, 2023
It is a very beautiful historical place. It's a pity that the residence of Catalikos is in the process of restoration, we didn't get inside, but we had a nice walk. We visited the ancient cemetery, the temples of Saints Gayane and Ripsime
It is a UNESCO heritage site, there is a museum on site, I recommend you to visit. And also nearby is the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Not far from the airport. Clear. However, part of the monastery is still under reconstruction.
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5
Изготовление стекол
Level 18 Local Expert
May 22, 2023
A pleasant place to walk, sit in a restaurant, you can go to the museum, but an excursion is ordered by time. You can come without an appointment, but wait. They accept cash. The tour is short, but quite interesting. The hall is also small.
Etchmiadzin is located in the city of Vagharshapat. An ancient temple, it is a pity that we did not get into the museum, because it was the day of remembrance of the victims of the genocide and it did not work
A place of worship. A must-visit.
Various pro-Orthodox relics are in the public domain. The Spear of Longinus, pieces of Noah's Ark, etc.
Very cool guides.
Be sure to visit the monastery's restaurant.
We came here by ourselves, by minibus, from Yerevan, because we have already walked around the city in many different places. Therefore, you can easily go to Etchmiadzin on your own (from the bus station) or on a tour of Yerevan. Beautiful territory. The temple itself is under restoration, but the museum, where all the shrines are kept, is open and museum attendants conduct excursions. A round-trip minibus ticket is about 600 AMD + a ticket to the museum (the tour is included, otherwise there is no way) 1500 AMD. Sightseeing tour of Yerevan, incl. Etchmiadzin, approx. 6500 AMD. If you come to Armenia for 2-3 days, it is advisable to take a sightseeing tour.
A beautiful and sacred place where you can not only touch the origins of Christianity, but also get acquainted with the architecture and part of the history of Armenia.
Be sure to visit the monastery refectory after watching, you will be pleasantly surprised and very tasty fed and watered!
View of Ararat in good weather
A must-visit. The foundation of the culture and religion of Armenia and the entire Armenian people. A unique atmosphere, a historical place. It is wonderful in spring, summer and autumn.
The residence of the Catholicos with a large territory and interesting architecture. Unfortunately, the main temple was closed for reconstruction (end of April 2022). It's hard to describe in words, it's better to see it once. There is a very decent cafe on site
A very interesting and beautiful place. The cathedral is still under reconstruction. The excursions are still a little compressed, not all the exhibits are shown, but it is mandatory to visit.
A huge territory, well-groomed, monastyrically neat, forbidden courtyards, many places where you can walk through the back streets of this city. It's a pity the main temple was under repair
For all tourists, it is very inexpensive to get to the monastery by taxi there and back. So don't book a tour three times more expensive)))
The Echmiadzin Cathedral is completely closed for restoration. So there is nothing much to do in the monastery 🤷🏻♂️
For general development, it is worth visiting.One of the main places in Armenia.I haven't been able to see the main cathedral for 2 years in a row, as it is under reconstruction.
I like St. Peter's Church better.Gayane, who is nearby.
It's mandatory to come here. This is a place to visit. In Armenia, many churches are similar and often, after crossing 100 km, only the nature around differs in the picture. But Etchmiadzin is a history, a lot of cult values and the heart of the Armenian religion.
A place with incredible energy, I recommend you to visit. It was a great success to get on an excursion to the gallery with Elena Ananyan. Everything is so clear, to the point and interesting presentation of the material
It 's a very soulful place . You calm down there both mentally and physically. You understand and feel the historical smell and the dawn of these places and the importance of religion for this people ... 🙏🏻
A landmark place, the modern residence of the Catholicos of Armenia.
One of the 3 versions of the real Spear of Destiny is kept here.
There are many shrines.
Beautiful!
We were in August 2022 (9th-11th), the main cathedral is under repair, it was not discussed anywhere on the Internet in any way ☹️
A beautiful large area.
It is a beautiful monastery, but restoration work is underway partially on the territory. Also, part of the park is in an abandoned state. There's still a lot to see, but it should definitely get better after the restoration.
Etchmiadzin was first seen in 1979. Of course, a lot has changed since then, but I have always been very impressed by how touching and respectful the Armenians are about their centuries-old history.