One of the oldest peoples in the world lives in a small country in the south of Trans-Caucasia, Armenia, "land of Cross-Stones".

Its capital, Jerewan, is twenty nine years older than Rome. Old Yerevan with its traditional buildings, wonderful entrances and carved wooden adornments that continue into the actual living areas, is gradually disappearing.

Etchmiadzin is the religious centre of Armenia. At the entrance to the village is Hripsime Church. Here the nun Hripsime died a martyrs‘ death after fleeing with a group of nuns to Armenia from Roman Emperor, Diocletian.

Etchmiadzin is the most important religious centre of Armenian Christianity and it was here that the seat of the Catholicos was gradually expanded and enlarged. Today it is also the administrative headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The church treasury has been transformed into a museum and the site also contains cross-stones with images of the church's history.

North of the village of Hovhanavank is the Saghmosawank Monastery. During the monastery's heyday, psalteries were written at the famous scriptorium, the epitome of prayer.

At two thousand three hundred metres above sea level, in the middle of remote mountain countryside, is the Amberd Fortress. The surrounding cliffs and gorges were an ideal place for the construction of the mediaeval castle. The "Fortress Of Iron Ashot" was equipped with all the comforts of the noble life of that time. The lords probably moved there not only for protection against invading Seljuks and Mongols but also to spend the summer months in the cool mountains and far away from the noisy mediaeval towns.

As well as an abundance of history, many legends are attached to Armenia’s sacred places, “land of cross-stones".