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Aragats is the beauty of Armenian nature. It is one of the highest Armenian
mountains. From its very top (4090m above sea level) one can look round almost
the whole territory of the republic. The most eminent Armenian poets
(H.Toumanian, A.Isahakian, H.Shiras), artists (G.Bashindjagian, M.Saryan,
H.Zardarian) and composers (Komitas, A.Stepanian, A.Kocharian) sang the praise
of that majestic and picturesque highland which for long years remained a truly
national symbol.
Mount Aragats lies to the north-west of Yerevan. From the late autumn till
the midst of summer it is covered with snow. The four main peaks remind of a
half-open bud of a gigantic flower. The crater of the extinct volcano is
surrounded by those peaks and has 460m depth, 2km length and 1600m width. Later
on the crater became glacial circus.
Along the slopes of the mountain the imposing canyons (about 500m deep) rush
down giving way to the valley for numerous rocky rivers with amazing waterfalls.
Main lakes Kari, Baku, Lessing and Tanish are at the altitude of 3100-3200
meters.
The entrails are rich with basalt, tufa and other valuable building stones.
In spring the slopes are all covered with the green colorful rug. Even in summer
time one can find lots of snowdrops.
Named after King Ara Gehetsik (The Handsome) from a well-known legend Aragats
and its foothills were inhabited since prehistoric times. At 3000m altitude many
cultural relics of the past were found being not completely investigated so far.
Nevertheless, the scientific ascents to the peaks of Aragats were not frequent
until the middle of the XXth c. Still, already in 1843 a well-known naturalist
and traveller, Prof. Moritz Wagner from Munich University climbed the top of the
mountain accompanied by Armenian great educator and patriot Kh.Abovian. This
expedition resulted a book Travelling Armenia by M.Wagner. In that book one can
read that "among Alpine territories Aragats in Armenia is the most beautiful and
there is no other place in the Caucasus like Aragats with its variety and
abundance of flowers, multitude of mineral springs and pleasant summer air...".
One of the first groups of tourists in Armenia was organized by the great
composer and collector of folk music, Archimandrite Komitas. Thus, he initiated
several touristic campaigns around Mount Aragats. In 1912 he himself lead the
team which in 6 days ascended one of the peaks.
Since 30-ies of our century mass ascents to Aragats came to replace
individual mountaineers.
The lower and mean slopes of Aragats in 40-ies have become the site of
regular scientific laboratories. They are Bourakan Astrophysical Observatory,
Cosmic Ray Centre of Yerevan Physics Institute, Centre of Antenna Measurements
and Meteorological Station.
Among the most impressive historical monuments is Amberd Castle. Its fortress
of VII c. being built according all the rules of that time fortification as
practically impregnable during the Arabic invasion.
A nice legend says that St. Grigor Lusavorich (The Educator) climbed the top
of Aragats for praying. The never extinguishing lamp hung down the heaven gave
him light at nights. Under the legend the lamp is still shining by nights, but
only initiated into the sacrament can see its light.
Most of the photos ware shut by Hovik Melikyan, Hamayak Ghazaryan and Albert
Toneyan.
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