Matenadaran, Echmiadzin (Hripsime, Gayane, Mother Cathedral), Zvartnots

The excursions  starts at 10:00. Excursion to Matenadaran - to the museum - institute of ancient manuscripts and the center of written culture of Armenia. Matenadaran is one of the world's manuscripts and the largest repository of ancient Armenian manuscripts. Here are stored unique relics and manuscripts, copies of the first printed books, petrified elements of manuscripts that were found in caves, fragments of parchments of the Middle Ages. A trip to the most holy place for every Armenian is the Armenian Vatican-Echmiadzin official residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Since the adoption of Christianity by Armenians, the throne of the Catholicos of All Armenians was located here. In this place, many significant Christian shrines are stored: a spear pierced by Christ, a particle of Noah's Ark and the Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator. You will also visit the St. Gayan's Basilica of 603, the Church of St. Hripsime in 618 and the later church of St. Shokagat. All these churches, together with the main cathedral of Etchmiadzin, are included in the list of cultural heritage of the UNESCO. On the way back - an inspection of the ruins of the ancient cathedral of Zvartnots. Return to the hotel. Near the square of Etchmiadzin there is a cathedral, which was founded in 301 AD. Return to Yerevan.