Journey through the rich history of Armenian civilization, from ancient times to the present day
One of the world's oldest known astronomical observatories is constructed, predating Stonehenge by millennia.
Syunik, Armenia
The earliest known winery is established at Areni-1 cave, making Armenia the birthplace of wine production.
Vayots Dzor, Armenia
King Argishti I of Urartu founds the fortress of Erebuni, which would later become the city of Yerevan.
The Hellenistic temple at Garni is built, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded structure in Armenia.
Kotayk, Armenia
Armenia becomes the first nation to officially adopt Christianity as the state religion under King Tiridates III.
Armavir, Armenia
The Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin is established, becoming the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Armavir, Armenia
The church dedicated to Saint Hripsime is constructed on the site of her martyrdom, becoming a masterpiece of early Armenian architecture.
Armavir, Armenia
Mesrop Mashtots creates the Armenian alphabet, enabling the translation of religious texts and preserving Armenian identity.
Yerevan, Armenia
The monastery is built over the dungeon where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years.
Ararat, Armenia
The magnificent Zvartnots Cathedral is built, representing the pinnacle of early medieval Armenian architecture.
Armavir, Armenia
Amaras Monastery, where Mesrop Mashtots first taught the Armenian alphabet, undergoes major expansion.
Artsakh, Azerbaijan
The great Zvartnots Cathedral collapses, likely due to an earthquake, leaving only ruins.
Armavir, Armenia
The city of Ani becomes the capital of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia, marking the beginning of a golden age.
Kars, Turkey
Queen Khosrovanush founds Haghpat Monastery, which would become a major center of learning and culture.
Lori, Armenia
The monastery complex at Sanahin reaches its architectural completion, becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lori, Armenia
The magnificent Cathedral of Ani is completed and consecrated, a masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture.
Kars, Turkey
The Byzantine Empire conquers Ani, beginning the decline of the medieval Armenian kingdom.
Kars, Turkey
Mkhitar Gosh founds the monastery that would bear his name, becoming a major medieval center of learning.
Tavush, Armenia
Construction begins on Noravank, one of the most beautiful examples of Armenian medieval architecture.
Vayots Dzor, Armenia
Construction begins on Geghard Monastery, which will become one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Armenia.
Kotayk, Armenia
The Gandzasar Monastery is completed, becoming one of the most important religious sites in Artsakh.
Artsakh, Azerbaijan
The famous khachkar (cross-stone) at Goshavank is carved by master sculptor Poghos, considered one of the finest examples of khachkar art.
Tavush, Armenia
After earthquakes and Mongol invasions, Ani is finally abandoned, ending its centuries as a major Armenian center.
Kars, Turkey
Armenian monks establish Surp Khach (Holy Cross) Monastery in Crimea, an important center of Armenian diaspora.
Crimea, Ukraine
The Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople is established, becoming the center of Armenian life in the Ottoman Empire.
Istanbul, Turkey
The first book printed in the Armenian language is produced in Venice, marking a milestone in Armenian cultural history.
Venice, Italy
Construction begins on Vank Cathedral in Isfahan, the center of the Armenian community in New Julfa, Persia.
Isfahan, Iran
The Armenian Mekhitarist monastery is established on San Lazzaro island in Venice, becoming a major center of Armenian scholarship.
Venice, Italy
Following the Russo-Persian War, Eastern Armenia becomes part of the Russian Empire, ending Persian rule.
Armavir, Armenia
The first Armenian church in France is constructed in Paris, serving the growing Armenian diaspora community.
Paris, France
The systematic extermination of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire begins, leading to the destruction of countless heritage sites.
Yerevan, Armenia
California, United States
Deir ez-Zor, Syria
Deir ez-Zor, Syria
Armenian forces defeat the Ottoman army at Sardarapat, preventing the complete annihilation of the Armenian nation.
Armavir, Armenia
Armenia becomes a Soviet republic, beginning 70 years of Soviet rule that would preserve many heritage sites but suppress religious practice.
Armavir, Armenia
The historic 10th-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island is closed for worship under Turkish rule.
Van, Turkey
The Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet opens in Yerevan, becoming a cultural landmark.
Yerevan, Armenia
A devastating earthquake severely damages the ancient Garni Temple, leaving it in ruins.
Kotayk, Armenia
The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) opens, housing one of the world's richest collections of medieval manuscripts.
Yerevan, Armenia
The Armenian Genocide Memorial is constructed in Yerevan to commemorate the victims of the 1915 genocide.
Yerevan, Armenia
The Mother Armenia monument is erected in Yerevan's Victory Park, symbolizing peace through strength.
Yerevan, Armenia
The Garni Temple is fully reconstructed using anastylosis, restoring this Hellenistic gem to its former glory.
Kotayk, Armenia
Armenia declares independence from the Soviet Union, beginning a new era of national revival and heritage preservation.
Armavir, Armenia
Major restoration work begins on Dadivank Monastery, one of the most significant Armenian monasteries in Artsakh.
Artsakh, Azerbaijan
The monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognizing their universal value.
Lori, Armenia
Lori, Armenia
The Armenian Genocide Martyrs' Memorial Church is completed in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, at the site of mass graves.
Deir ez-Zor, Syria
After 95 years, the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island holds its first religious service since 1915.
Van, Turkey
The archaeological site of Ani is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its importance to Armenian heritage.
Kars, Turkey
Armenia and the global Armenian diaspora commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with events worldwide.
Yerevan, Armenia
Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, numerous Armenian heritage sites in Artsakh face uncertain futures.
Artsakh, Azerbaijan
Artsakh, Azerbaijan
Artsakh, Azerbaijan