UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia
Armenia has 3 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3 cultural), the first inscribed in 1996 (Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin). The map below plots every one of them alongside the rest of the List, and each site is written up in full further down the page.
- World Heritage Sites
- 3
- Cultural
- 3
- Natural and Mixed
- 0
- First Inscribed
- 1996
Map of World Heritage Sites in Armenia
CulturalNaturalMixedIn DangerLarge dots are in Armenia. Click a dot to read about the site.
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin
Armenia · 41.0950° N, 44.7103° E · 37 km from Vanadzor
These two Byzantine monasteries in the Tumanian region from the period of prosperity during the Kiurikian dynasty (10th to 13th century) were important centres of learning. Sanahin was renown for its school of illuminators and calligraphers. The two monastic complexes represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture, whose unique style developed from a blending of elements of Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region.
Description from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Why Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin Is Listed
- (ii)
- An important interchange of human values.
- (iv)
- An outstanding example of a type of building or landscape.
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Armenia · 40.1593° N, 44.2951° E · 1 km² · 19 km from Yerevan
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.
Description from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Why Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots Is Listed
- (ii)
- An important interchange of human values.
- (iii)
- A unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
Armenia · 40.1589° N, 44.7967° E · 24 km from Yerevan
The monastery of Geghard contains a number of churches and tombs, most of them cut into the rock, which illustrate the very peak of Armenian medieval architecture. The complex of medieval buildings is set into a landscape of great natural beauty, surrounded by towering cliffs at the entrance to the Azat Valley.
Description from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).
Why Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley Is Listed
- (ii)
- An important interchange of human values.
World Heritage in Armenia: Quick Answers
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in Armenia?
- Armenia has 3 World Heritage Sites: 3 cultural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Armenia?
- Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, inscribed in 1996. The most recent is Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots, inscribed in 2000.
- Are any World Heritage Sites in Armenia in danger?
- None of the World Heritage Sites in Armenia is on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.