I lived in Armenia for two years, between 1995-97, as a Peace Corps volunteer. These memories are ones that have stayed with me, for the most part iconic locations around the country.

Even though the mountain, Ararat — that Noah is suppose to have settled the ark upon after the flood — is in Turkey, the massive peak is visible everywhere throughout the capital city of Yerevan.

ararat yerevan

The valley the city of Yerevan is situated in is bowl-shaped, with Ararat on the west side and the city proper on the east. On the hills overlooking the city, facing the mountain, is a 168 foot tall statue of Mother Armenia.

mama jan

Located in a canyon, built into the side of a mountain, the monastery at Geghard is suppose to have housed the spear tip that pierced Christ. The cave-church dates from the early 13th century.

What is not very clear in this picture are people standing in front of table-like structures filled with sand where one can light votive candles for prayer. The result is that the inside of every church I was in is full of light, give the ancient stones a warm and cheerful appearance.

gerhardt

I lived in the city of Gyumri (formerly Leninkhan during Soviet times) and situated on a hill between the city and the Turkish border is an ancient fortress, dating back to 1839. It is called by locals Sev Ghul, “Black Sentry.”

gyumri fortress