By Beata Bruggeman-Sekowska
1.The First Christian Nation in the World (301 AD)
Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD, under King Tiridates IV. This happened thanks to the influence of Gregory the Illuminator, who later became the first Catholicos (head of the Armenian Church). This makes Armenia the oldest officially Christian nation in the world.
The medieval monastery Geghard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protection status. The monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator.
2.One of the Oldest Continuously Inhabited Cities – Older Than Rome (Yerevan, 782 BC)
The Armenian capital, Yerevan, was founded in 782 BC as the Erebuni Fortress by King Argishti I of Urartu. This makes Yerevan 29 years older than Rome, which was founded in 753 BC. While Yerevan is not the oldest city in the world, it is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Yerevan cascade
3.A Unique Alphabet (405 AD)
The Armenian alphabet was created in 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots. The alphabet consists of 39 letters and was specifically designed to represent the Armenian language accurately. It is still in use today with little modification.
4.The Oldest Known Wine making (4100 BC)
Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest known wine making facility in the Areni-1 cave in Armenia, dating back to 4100 BC. This confirms that wine making has been an integral part of Armenian culture for over 6000 years.
5.Lavash Bread as Cultural Heritage
Lavash, the traditional thin and soft Armenian bread, is baked in a tonir, an underground clay oven. In 2014, lavash was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its cultural importance.
6.Mount Ararat: The National Symbol of Armenia
Although Mount Ararat is now located in Turkey, it remains a national symbol of Armenia. According to the Bible, Noah’s Ark came to rest on the peak of this mountain. Ararat is visible from Yerevan and appears in many Armenian artworks and literature.
7.The “Pink City” of Yerevan
Yerevan is often called the “Pink City” because many buildings are constructed with pink volcanic tuff stone. This gives the city a unique color, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Yerevan cascade view
8.The Oldest Leather Shoe in the World (3500 BC)
In the Areni-1 cave in Armenia, archaeologists discovered the oldest leather shoe ever found, dating back to 3500 BC. At more than 5,500 years old, it is the world’s oldest known example of leather craftsmanship, showcasing Armenia’s long tradition of shoe making and textile production.
9. Chess Education in Schools
Since 2011, chess has been a mandatory subject in Armenian primary schools. Armenia has produced some of the world’s top chess players, including grandmaster Levon Aronian. Chess is considered an essential part of intellectual development.
10.The World’s Longest Cable Car
Armenia is home to the world’s longest double-track cable car, called “Wings of Tatev”. This cable car is 5.7 kilometers long and takes visitors to the ancient Tatev Monastery, high in the mountains. The ride offers breathtaking views of Armenia’s landscapes and deep gorges.
Tatev monastery
11. Lake Sevan
The largest body of water not only in Armenia but also in the Caucasus, lake Sevan is considered as one of the freshest waters and one of the highest lakes in the world, with an altitude reaching 1900 meters above sea level. Fed by 28 rivers and streams, Sevan takes up a considerable surface of the territory of Armenia.
Photos: Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Netherlands
photo: ©communications-unlimited.nl
Beata Bruggeman-Sękowska is an award-winning international journalist, TV correspondent, media commentator, author, and sworn translator. She currently serves as the chief editor of the Central and Eastern Europe Centre and as the president of the European Institute on Communist Oppression. She holds degrees in American Culture Studies, translation and pedagogy, and journalism from Warsaw University, as well as from L’École Supérieure de Journalisme de Lille. Born in Warsaw, Poland, Beata also has Armenian heritage and ancestral ties to Lviv (Lvov), Ukraine.
