Description of the attraction
Mount Aragats is the highest mountain in Armenia, which is a wonderful natural monument. Mount Aragats is a lonely extinct volcano. The central elevation of the mountain covers an area of about 820 sq. Km.
In the prehistoric era, a volcanic eruption, which was accompanied by a strong explosion, destroyed the top of Aragats. Around the crater, which has an irregular shape, there are four giant peaks: the southern one - 3879 m, the western one - 4080 m, the northern one - 4090 m and the eastern one - 3916 m.
As a result of centuries-old work of wind, water, sun and volcanic activity, deep gorges have formed on the slopes of the mountain, the largest of which are the Geghovit and Ambert gorges up to 500 m deep, as well as wide gullies and pipe-like rocky passages-fulturites. Many small and large rivers originate on Aragats, including Sevdzhur and Ambert. In the Geghovit gorge, you can see three overwhelming waterfalls with a height of about 100 m.
The mountain was named after the ancient god of death and Sunday Ara. On its slopes there are traces of ancient outbuildings and irrigation networks, as well as amazing architectural monuments of the Middle Ages (Amberd, Dkher).
There is a legend associated with Mount Aragats, according to which Saint Grigor Lusavorich ascended to its top to perform prayers. At night, his path was illuminated by an unquenchable lamp hanging from the sky. Legend has it that this lamp still shines at night, but only the initiated can see it.
From Mount Aragats, an amazing panorama opens to mountain lakes among green slopes and lonely hills, which smoothly turn into the misty Araks valley.
The beautiful landscape of mountain belts and foothills, a huge number of cultural monuments on the slopes make Aragats one of the most interesting peaks attractive for travelers and climbers.
