Trip to the South: Khor Virap, Areni and Noravank Monastery

Khor Virap Monastery is located in the Ararat region and is the birthplace of Christianity in Armenia. In ancient centuries, this was a prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of Christianity in Armenia, was imprisoned for 13 years. Khor Virap is also the closest point to the legendary Mount Ararat, from where opens a fabulous view of the Biblical Mountain. The village of Areni (in last Arpa) since ancient times has been considered as winemaking center of Armenia. Located in the Vayots Dzor region, in the valley of the Arpa River. Every year in October take place a wonderful wine festival, where various wine producers from all over the Republic gather and present their production. Noravank Monastery (translated as New Monastery) was built in the 13th century and is one of the oldest and most famous Monasteries of Armenia. It is located on a slope near Areni, surrounded by its famous red hills. In 1996, there was an attempt to add the Monastery complex to the UNESCO World Heritage List.