• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Armenia

Armenian Architecture - Church in Sevan
Church in Sevan

Much of Armenia's most notable architecture is either historic church architecture or more recent soviet architecture. As the first country in the world to make Christianity its official religion, Armenia also has some of, if not the oldest still used churches in the world.

Armenian Architecture - Noravank Monastery
Noravank Monastery

The Cathedral of Echmiadzin was first built in 301-303 and remains to this day as the head of the Armenian Orthodox Church. Since it was originally built, the church has undergone a number of renovations, particularly in the 400s, 600s, and 1600s. Since it was built, the style has influenced many churches in Armenia, Georgia, and even other Eastern Orthodox churches which later arose in Byzantium.

Church architecture continued to develop in Armenia and the Medieval Ages experienced rock shrewn churches, with the Monastery of Geghard acting as the best example. The historic heart of what can be seen today was built in the 1200s as it was carved out of the adjoining cliff.

Armenian Architecture - Eternal flame
Eternal flame

From the 1200s until the 1900s there were few strongly influential architectural movements as Armenia found itself under the control of outside influence for much of this time. Beginning in the early 1900s though, the Soviets took over the region and vastly altered the architectural landscape in the country. The well-known Soviet Style consisting of drab concrete structures focused on efficiency and growth over style now dominates much of the country's large cities, including the capital of Yerevan.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia has slowly moved back towards their traditional architecture. The most striking example of this is again in church architecture with Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral (2001) in Yerevan.

This page was last updated: March, 2013