Haghpat Monastery | Armenia

Postcard
Haghpat Monastery is a medieval monastery complex in Haghpat, Armenia. The monastery was founded in the year 976.

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tatev Monastery | Armenia

Postcard
The Tatev Monastery is a 9th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the monastery hosted one of the most important Armenian medieval universities, the University of Tatev, which contributed to the advancement of science, religion and philosophy, reproduction of books and development of miniature painting. 

Here you see a small detail of Tatev Monastery. Can you find it on this card?

Cross-stones art | Armenia

Postcard
Khachkar of Mastara, Armenian cross-stones art. Khachkars are outdoor steles carved from stone by craftspeople in Armenia and communities in the Armenian diaspora.

In 2014 Armenia issued a set of two stamps dedicated to Armenian cross-stones art.
stamp 1  stamp 2

Flags of the World | Armenia

Postcard
The red stands for the Armenian Highland, the Armenian people's continued struggle for survival, maintenance of the Christian faith, Armenia's independence and freedom. The blue stands for the will of the people of Armenia to live beneath peaceful skies. The orange stands for the creative talent and hard-working nature of the people of Armenia.

Geghard monastery | Armenia

Postcard
Geghard is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain and surrounded by cliffs. The origins of the complex date back to the 4th century. The main chapel was built in 1215.

The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, inscribed under the name Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley.

Stamp
Part of a set two stamps (2014), dedicated to Armenian cross-stones art. Khachkars are outdoor steles carved from stone by craftspeople in Armenia and communities in the Armenian diaspora.

Sanahin Monastery | Armenia

Postcard
Sanahin Monastery is an Armenian monastery founded in the 10th century in the Lori Province of Armenia.

The monstery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is inscribed under the name Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. Both were important centres of learning. Sanahin was renown for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. According to Unesco, the two monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture.

Zvartnots Cathedral ruins | Armenia

Postcard
Zvartnots is a complex of structures built in the middle of the 7th century near Echmiatsin in Armenia.

Zvartnots remained standing until the end of the 10th century, but historical sources are silent as to the cause of its collapse. The ruins of Zvartnots remained buried until its remains were uncovered at the start of the 20th century. The site was excavated between 1901 and 1907.

The temple ruins are part of Unesco World heritage site inscribed under the name Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots.

Echmiatsin Cathedral | Armenia

Postcard

Echmiatsin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, located in the city of Vagharshapat, Armenia. The city was officially known as Echmiatsin between 1945 and 1995 and is the fourth-largest city in Armenia.

The cathedral is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed as “Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots”.

Stamp

Khachkar of Mastara. Part of a set two stamps (2014), dedicated to Armenian cross-stones art. Khachkars are outdoor steles carved from stone by craftspeople in Armenia and communities in the Armenian diaspora. 

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia

Postcard

Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. It is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Being a former Soviet Republic it gained its independence in 1991.

The city is located in the Ararat Valley, the mountain that you can see in the background. Mount Ararat, with an elevation of 5,165 meters, is the highest mountain in Turkey but it is still an important national symbol of Armenia. Ararat was a part of Armenia until 1915 when Turkey took over that part of Armenia. 

Stamps

(left) In 2013 issued a set of seven stamps with characters of the Armenian alphabet.

(right) Endangered animals, issued in 2009 as a set of two stamps. 

Tatev Monastery, Armenia

Postcard

The Monastery of Tatev is a 9th-century Armenian monastery located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village in southeastern Armenia. The main monument is the Church of Pogos and Petros (Peter and Paul) built in 895-906. The card only shows a detail of Tatev Monastery. So you can’t see the breathtaking complex and surroundings.

 

The monasteries of Tatev and Tatevi Anapat and the adjacent areas of the Vorotan Valley is on the WHS Tentative list.

Stamp

The Armenian alphabet has 38 letters. In 2012 Armenian Post issued the first set of 7 letters.

Armenian traditional dress, Lavash and King Tigran

Armenia declared its sovereignty from the Soviet Union on August 23, 1990.

Postcard

Girl in Armenian traditional dress holding Lavash.

Lavash: According to Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia the word lavash is an Armenian word, as the word "lavash" in Armenian consists of two parts. The first one "lav" in Armenia means "good". The second part "ash" means "food, meal". So in Armenian it means "good food".

Stamps

King Tigran the Great (140 – 55 BCE) was emperor of Armenia under whom the country became, for a short time, the strongest state east of the Roman Republic.

How many days you get a postcard from Armenia?

Postcard

It was a very rainy " summer" day in Holland. But this postcard from Armenia brightens my day. Th back of the card reads: Cross stone from Boyazet against a background of mount Ararat.

Thanks Marine!

Stamps

Tigranes also spelled TIGRAN, king of Armenia from 95 to 55 BC, under whom the country became for a short time the strongest state in the Roman East.