Travel
The Ancient Armenian Land of Artsakh
Continuing the search for authenticity, truth and the origins of the world, I visited the ancient Armenian land of Artsakh several years ago and studied some of its numerous exquisite ancient Armenian monuments.
I was particularly impressed by the architectural and high esthetical value of Amaras Monastery.
By tradition, it was founded as early as the start of the fourth century by St. Gregory the Illuminator (257-331 AD) and served as a major point for the spread of Christianity in the fo
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Thank you so much for this amazing article, with my broken spirt and tears in my eyes I just hope and pray that one day I will be able to visit Artsakh and see these magnificent places.
Thank you.
In order to support the historical claim, you need to place Artsakh in its historical context.
I cannot understand Artsakh outside Armenia.
Thank you Dr. Anastasios Mavrakis for this beautiful article on Artsakh. As the daughter of an Armenian Genocide survivor I did not have the chance to visit Artsakh, however your article took me to a beautiful journey to my ancient homeland.
Thank you for your complete and very interesting article !
As half greek ,half Armenian living in France (descent from Armenian Genocid 1915) traveling through Armenia I didn’t have the opportunity to visit Artsakh till now. Expecting justice and peace in front of barbary…
Thank you.
It is historical justification and predominance of the civilized world.
Artsakh is a masterpiece of Armenian culture for all of us to admire.
Thank you.
Historical truth, justice and civilization have to prevail.
It is every civilized person’s responsibility.
Thank you Dr. Mavrakis for this article! I was fortunate to visit Artsakh in 1994 and 1995. The dirt road to Amaras Monastery was an adventure since it had rained for three days in a row and our Lada got stuck in the mud multiple times but we managed to push it over the cliffs and by the time we made it to the village, we were covered in mud. Amaras Monastery left a deep impression on me. The burial tomb of St. Grigoris which I touched with my own hands was an enlightening moment. Alas its preservation now is in the hands of a culture that doesn’t believe Armenians were the architects who built these historic Christian masterpieces. So sad!
I would like to learn more about Armenia and the Armenians from before the advent of Christianity. How far back does documented history take us? How far back does archaeology? How far back traditions and stories and legends?
Thank you for your message.
Armenians are most probably an ancient Mesopotamian nation stemming from the ancient Urartu.
There is a lot of Urartu archaeology in Lake Van, the epicenter of Urartu-ancient Armenian culture.
The Kingdom of Urartu thrived in the 9th to 6th century BCE.
You may want to look up ‘Urartu’ on the internet for more information.
Dear Dr. Mavrakis,
Thanks for your very interesting article about Artsakh. Are all the monuments you describe lost to Azebeidzjan now? What a pity.
Best regards, Herman Keijer
Thank you for your message.
I am very concerned in regards to the fate of Amaras Monastery, Tzitzernavank and Dadivank.
I do not know what their status will be in the new order.
Thank you Dr Mavrakis for this enlightening look at Artsakh’s precious monuments. It’s devastating to know that they might no longer exist once Azerbaijan takes hold of them. I never got to see Arsakh when I went to Armenia, and I regret it bitterly. I’m praying that Western powers and institutions might be able to prevail on the Azeri government to respect the historical and religious sites of Ancient Armenia. But knowing Azerbaijan’s previous barbaric behaviour does not leave me much hope…
Thank you for your message.
You are describing the need I felt to write this article and to justify the historical claim.
I cannot understand Artsakh outside Armenia.
This injustice based on political motives is horrific and dangerous.
Great pictures with the history.
I enjoyed the website.