Apricots, chess champions, a pink capital city, and its own unique alphabet – check out some fun trivia about this European hidden gem to get a glimpse into its unique and totally intriguing heritage
If you’re looking for somewhere different to visit this year off the beaten tourist track, then small but spectacular Armenia could be just the ticket. With a rich and diverse range of attractions it can cater to a wide range of interests and has landscapes that’ll take your breath away.
It’s also just three hours flight from the GCC with direct flights on Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost airline Flynas from Riyadh to Yerevan, while UAE travellers – who don’t need a visa to enter Armenia – can hop on one of Flydubai’s regular flights to the capital too.
Here are 10 quirky facts that give Armenia serious traveller appeal:
- Armenia is one of the world’s oldest countries. The country has a history that dates back over 3,500 years and The Kingdom of Urartu, an ancient civilization that thrived in the Armenian Highlands, was one of the most advanced states of its time.
- It also has one of the oldest alphabets. Armenia is credited with the creation of its own unique alphabet in 405 AD, making it one of the oldest alphabets still in use. The script was designed by Mesrop Mashtots and has 38 letters. Armenian letter art and its cultural expressions Inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- It’s known as the apricot country. Armenia is famous for its delicious apricots, and it is believed that the fruit originated in this region. The apricot tree is considered a national symbol and is deeply integrated into Armenian culture.
- It has serious chess champions. Chess is incredibly popular in Armenia, and the country has produced many world-class chess players. The Armenian national team won the Chess Olympiad in 2012, and several Armenian grandmasters are ranked among the top players in the world.
- It is a pioneer of winemaking. You might be surprised to hear that Armenia is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a history of winemaking that dates back over 6,000 years. In fact, the Areni-1 cave complex in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor province is considered one of the oldest winemaking facilities ever discovered.
- Plus, it has a serious toasting tradition. Speaking of wine, Armenians have a unique tradition of toasting during meals expressed as where each person makes a heartfelt speech or offers a toast. It’s an essential part of their culture and social gatherings.
7. Its famous bread is UNESCO listed. Lavash, a thin and soft unleavened flatbread, is a staple in Armenian cuisine and in 2014 UNESCO inscribed it in its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
8. It is home to the world’s deepest freshwater lake: Armenia is also home to Lake Sevan, which is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world and the largest in the Caucasus region.
9. It has a rather scarily located monastery: Located on a cliff edge overlooking the Vorotan Gorge, Tatev Monastery is an architectural marvel and a must-visit attraction. You can take a nerve-jangling ride on the “Wings of Tatev” cable car- the longest reversible cableway in the world (5752 m), recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. This is the shortest and most picturesque route to Monastery.
10. Forget Barbie, the capital city really knows how to do pink! And finally – way before Mattel got in on the action – the capital Yerevan was known as the “pink city” because the buildings were all made of naturally coloured volcanic rocks of varying shades of pink. Gorgeous!
