The Last of the Argonauts:  
by John Brenson     Ararat      

Lori

Tavush

Kotayk

Yerevan

Armavir

Aragatsotn

Shirak

Gegharkunik

Ararat

Vayots Dzor

Syunik

 

 

 

NKR

Ani

Kars

Georgia

Tbilisi

Kazbegi

Borjomi

Trapezounta

 

Khor Virap

ARARAT province is chiefly a flat plain along the eastern bank of the Araks containing many industrial towns, whereas further east mountains separate the province from Lake Sevan.

Below: Khor Virap with its famous dungeon underneath, still accessible to visitors via a steep stairway.

Mount Ararat

The monastery of Khor Virap is essential to the Armenian religious beliefs and origins. It was here that Grigor the Illuminator was imprisoned before curing the King and enabling Armenia to be the first Christian nation in the world in A.D. 301.

Mount Ararat - the peak on which Noah landed. Everyone knows the story of Noah, or Noe in the Armenian language, and despite many attempts to find the ark, it still remains hidden! Of course, Ararat now lies in Turkish territory, but is still visible from most of Central Armenia and is one of the symbols of the Armenian Republic.