Echmiadzin Monastery
Echmiadzin Monastery
4.5
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  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spirutal 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 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 14, 2024
  • beetcanner
    731 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This Is The Vatican Of Armenia
    Notably 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 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 26, 2024
  • laczkozsu
    Debrecen, Hungary2,343 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A major religious centre
    This 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 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
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beetcanner
Southern Nevada731 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Friends
Notably 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.
Written July 26, 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.

npo a
Moscow, Russia1,241 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
Holy Etchmiadzin is the spiritual center of one of the oldest Christian churches, the Armenian Apostolic Church. The center of attraction is the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, originally built back in 303! Unfortunately, it will not be possible to see the interior decoration; restoration work continues. But besides the cathedral, there is something to see on the territory of the complex, I recommend a mandatory visit!
Google
Written February 3, 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.

5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

Николай П
25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
We went there on 10.26.23 from Yerevan by taxi, very fast, cheap and comfortable. This beauty is a must see, especially for those who love history. There are treasures of world and cultural heritage there. One of the great Christian relics is the spear of destiny and other great relics.
Google
Written October 28, 2023
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
2.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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, Fiji3,148 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

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Echmiadzin Monastery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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