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Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Yerevan, Armenia

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

5 to 7 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Russian

Overview

Within this private tour you will have an opportunity to visit the spiritual center of Armenia – Echmiadzin, the sites of which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The first stops will be at the churches of St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, built in honor of the Christian martyrs who escaped from Rome led by their abbess Gayane. Afterwards there comes the key stop at the Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral – the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the very first Christian cathedral in the World. At the moment the cathedral is under reconstruction and, unfortunately, it can only be viewed from the outside. Not far from the Cathedral, the amazing "Treasures of Echmiadzin" museum is there to welcome you. The last stop of the tour is Zvartnots temple of 7th century, one of the tallest buildings of the time.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • WiFi on board
  • Restroom on board
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We can also pick up our guests from the International airport Zvartnots.

OR
Meeting point

20 Mesrop Mashtoc pokhota
Yerevan, Armenia

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

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Saint Hripsime Church

St. Hripsime church is one of the famous ecclesiastical buildings in the city of Echmiadzin. This is the developed and perfect example of cross-cupola churches in Armenia. The church is notable with its architectural simplicity and loftiness. The tomb of the Christian martyr Virgin Hripsime is in the sacristy of the church. The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Saint Gayane Church

Not far from the Echmiadzin Cathedral, against the background of white peaks of Ararat, one can see the silhouette of the cupola of St. Gayane church. It was built in the 7th century and belongs to the domed-basilica style. According to the legend, this church was constructed over the tomb of Virgin Gayane, who had been martyred for preaching Christianity. The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Echmiadzin Monastery

The center of Armenian Apostolic church – St. Echmiadzin is located 20 km far from Yerevan. The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was founded at the beginning of the fourth century and is one of the oldest churches in the world. According to the legend, the church was built in the place where apparition of Jesus Christ was seen to Gregory The Illuminator in the dream. The interior of the church is covered with frescoes, created by Hovnatanyan family. The residence of the Catholicos and the Theological Academy are situated near the Cathedral. Starting from the end of 2018 year till the present day reconstruction works are being carried out, thus the visit of Mother Cathedral currently is foreseen only from outside. The site is included in UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
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50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Zvartnots Temple

This marvelous temple is a result of skillfulness and brave creativity of Armenian architects of the 7th century. Having been built on several columns, it was able to survive only till the 10th century. When in the beginning of the 20th century this site was being excavated, many specialists could hardly accept its reconstruction model, designed by famous Armenian architect Toros Toramanyan, as it was difficult to believe, that such a huge and complicated construction could have been built those days, and amazingly at that time one of the bas-relieves of St. Chapelle church in Paris came to prove Toramanyan's version; the bas-relief depicts Zvartnots temple with Noah's Ark and it looks like the model, represented by the architect. The site is included in UNESCO Cultural World Heritage List.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Khor Virap

Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Mount Ararat, Khor Virap Monastery stands as a timeless testament to Armenia's rich spiritual heritage and historical significance. Its name, translating to "deep pit", alludes to the remarkable tale of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned in a dark pit here for 13 years before miraculously curing King Tiridates III of a grave illness. Today, visitors are drawn not only to its religious importance but also to the breathtaking beauty of its location. Surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, with the snow-capped peak of Mount Ararat looming majestically in the distance, Khor Virap offers an unparalleled setting for reflection and contemplation.
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1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Operated by a business

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Mother Cathedral of Holy Echmiadzin?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+04). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-148483P5

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
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On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

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  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • WiFi on board
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Restroom on board

Additional Info

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  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Operated by a business

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Free Cancellation

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (+04).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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