Etschmiadsin

Vagharshapat's Sacred Sites and Ancient Wonders

Vagharshapat serves as the spiritual headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This collection features the 4th-century Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the world's oldest state-built church, alongside a trio of 7th-century UNESCO World Heritage sites: Saint Hripsime, Saint Gayane, and Shoghakat. Beyond these active places of worship, the list includes the iconic circular ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral and the Gevorgyan Seminary. Cultural institutions like the Manoukian Manuscript Library and the Historical and Ethnographic Museum provide deeper insight into the region’s religious scholarship and local heritage.