Close to Yerevan, capital of Armenia, and within sight of the Ararat Mountains, are the ruins of the unusual Zvartnots Palace Church, a sacred place dedicated to angels, which is said to have come to Holy Grigor in a dream. Master craftsmen created the huge circular church in the middle of the 7th century.

On the ground are the remains of the construction’s external circular walls with arches, support blocks and grapevines carved in stone. In the southeast, there is a wine press with wine vats that were found buried in the cool and dry soil of the Ararat Valley.

According to legend, the emperor of Byzantium attended the consecration of the church and was much impressed by its splendour. He therefore wanted a similar building in his capital city of Constantinople. The emperor took the master builder along with him, but unfortunately passed away during the journey.

Scattered everywhere on the site are numerous treasures of Armenian stonemasonry art as well as mighty eagles with outstretched wings.

During excavation it was discovered that the church was built on a man-made stepped platform with a cruciform footprint. Only a small number of circular columns with exceptional Voluten capitals, remain.

Of its time, the palace church of Zvartnots was quite remarkable, perhaps even spectacular. However, in 930 A,D., it was destroyed by a devastating earthquake.