How Old Is Armenia?

Is it possible to give a definitive answer to this question? Where should we begin counting the years?

Even Noah’s Ark—the vessel of the biblical forefather of modern humanity-came to rest on Mount Ararat after the Great Flood. By the 9th century BCE, the first proto-Armenian tribes had united to form the Kingdom of Urartu.

The ancient civilization was distinguished not only by its written language and the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, but also by its advanced urban planning. Yerevan, the modern capital of Armenia, traces its origins to the Erebuni Fortress, built by Urartian King Argishti I in 782 BCE. As a result, Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome.

In the 6th century BCE, the Yervanduni Kingdom took up the baton of Armenian history, followed by the Achaemenid Empire from 520 BCE. One cannot overlook the era of Great Armenia under Tigran the Great (95–56 BCE), whose empire stretched “from sea to sea”-from the Caspian to the Mediterranean.

At the beginning of the Common Era, two major events played a key role in preserving Armenian statehood and strengthening the nation’s language and culture: the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD, and the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 AD. (Matenadaran)

On April 24, Armenians commemorate the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, honoring the victims of the mass extermination of the Armenian people in the Ottoman Empire in 1915. (Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex)

Every year, Armenia celebrates:

• May 28 -  Republic Day, marking the restoration of sovereignty proclaimed in 1918
• September 21 - Independence Day, commemorating the 1991 nationwide referendum in which citizens voted for independence from the Soviet Union.

Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world - there’s no doubt about that!

When visiting Armenia, you can spend hours admiring the breathtaking mountain landscapes, exploring truly ancient landmarks listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and enjoying the genuine warmth and hospitality of the locals.

However, beyond the mountain ranges, Armenia’s compact territory is home to 9,480 rivers and around 100 stunningly picturesque lakes. The northeastern region is known for its beech groves and oak forests. And if you venture to the southern part of the country, you’ll discover a truly unique sight - the largest plane tree grove in Armenia.

In addition, Armenia boasts numerous mineral springs and mud deposits. To improve your health and experience the full benefits of local balneological treatments, we recommend visiting Arzni, famous for its health resorts (Arzni Sanatorium), or Jermuk, renowned for its hot and cold mineral springs.

Fans of an active lifestyle and extreme sports will most appreciate Tsaghkadzor - the country’s premier ski resort. To taste the famous Armenian wine, it’s worth taking a short trip southeast of Yeghegnadzor. There, in the valley of the Arpa River, lies Armenia’s leading winery-Areni Winery. Just be careful not to overdo it during the tasting session-save some energy for a tour of the nearby caves, where the world’s oldest shoes and a 6,100-year-old wine press were discovered!

As for savoring the taste of the legendary Ararat brandy, there’s no better place than the Yerevan Brandy Company, where it’s made. And this is only a small part of what can be said about Armenia!

We invite you to visit this corner of the Earth and see for yourself that everything mentioned above is absolutely true!

Book here! For more details, call +7 958 402 21 61 or message us in the chat - we’re always online!