Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots

World Heritage Identification Number: 1011

World Heritage since: 2000

Category: Cultural Heritage

Transboundary Heritage: No

Endangered Heritage: No

Country: 🇦🇲 Armenia

Continent: Asia

UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America

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The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots: A Testament to Armenian Architecture and History

The Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, offer a unique glimpse into the rich history and architectural evolution of Armenia. Located in the city of Vagharshapat, also known as Ejmiatsin, this site is a significant testament to the cultural and religious heritage of the Armenian people.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The cathedral and churches of Echmiatsin and the archaeological remains at Zvartnots graphically illustrate the evolution and development of the Armenian central-domed cross-hall type of church, which exerted a profound influence on architectural and artistic development in the region.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (ii): The developments in ecclesiastical architecture represented in an outstanding manner by the churches at Echmiatsin and the archaeological site of Zvartnots had a profound influence on church design over a wide region.

Criterion (iii): The churches at Echmiatsin and the archaeological site of Zvartnots vividly depict both the spirituality and the innovatory artistic achievement of the Armenian Church from its foundation.

Encyclopedia Record: Vagharshapat

Vagharshapat is the 5th-largest city in Armenia and the most populous municipal community of Armavir Province, located about 18 km (11 mi) west of the capital Yerevan, and 10 km (6 mi) north of the closed Turkish-Armenian border. It is commonly known as Ejmiatsin, which was its official name between 1945 and 1995. It is still commonly used colloquially and in official bureaucracy, a case of dual naming.

Additional Site Details

Area: 74.3 hectares

UNESCO Criteria: (ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iii) — Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition

Coordinates: 40.15931 , 44.29514

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Nearby World Heritage Sites

Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
45 km — Armenia

Archaeological Site of Ani
72 km — Türkiye

Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin
110 km — Armenia

Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran
166 km — Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Historical Monuments of Mtskheta
191 km — Georgia

Country Information: Armenia

Official Name: Republic of Armenia

Capital: Yerevan

Continent: Asia

Population (2024): 3,033,500

Population (2023): 2,964,300

Population (2022): 2,969,200

Land Area: 28,470 sq km

Currency: Armenian dram (AMD)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Wikipedia: Vagharshapat

Portions of the page Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots are based on data from UNESCO — World Heritage List Dataset and on text from the Wikipedia article Vagharshapat, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes made. Additional original content by World Heritage Explorer (WHE), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. WHE is not affiliated with UNESCO or the World Heritage Committee. Legal Notice. Privacy Policy.