Khor Virap. Monastery and Graveyard Armenia September 22
Maybe it was just me, got out of bed the wrong side?
No
Maybe I was starting to get all monastaried out?
No
Maybe because our guide was an academic, so far up her own backside with the "knowledge" she was imparting on us as though we were studying for a masters degree in ancient history and not just a bunch of tasty tourists wandering the world.
Yes
Gregory the Illuminator this, King Tiridates that. sheesh I had had enough I wandered off.
Khor Virap, or "deep dungeon" is but a mere couple of hundred yards away from the Russian guarded sealed border with Turkey.
Yes Russia has a presence in Armenia from an agreement in 1992 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Mount Ararat in the clouds.
It seems this place has a claim to fame in that our friend Gregory, who is attributed as bringing christianity to Armenia and making in the first country to be declared a christian nation (hmm really?) was imprisoned for 13 years in a hole in the ground by Tiridates, before being released after somehow conjuring up a cure for the king's supposed madness. ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.
It was a bit of a squeeze getting into Gregory's hole.
Climbing down a vertical iron ladder
Not much to see, climbed back out.
Guide still prattling on, I announced I was off to see some dead people and would meet up at the bus in 30mins.
Damn! 30 minutes is not time enough for a huge magnificent place like this.
Although the life expectancy in Armenia is given as 72yrs, which is still ridiculously young looking around there were many who didn't even make it that far.
In general the interweb usually throws up some information about most graveyards, I guess this one is off the radar as I could find nothing.
This is strange as it has some of the most wonderful memorials I have seen anywhere, exquisitely carved on marble, no doubt a huge expense for the surviving families.
There were quite a few military graves to be seen, never forgetting that Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at war on and off since the end of the cold war.
"What an absolutely wonderful place to be buried" said the good voice in my head
" Why?" Said the evil twin, " It is not as though they know what the fuck is going on, they don't pop out every now and then to admire the landscape"
…..or do they?
Mr. G, your time is up, back on the bus.
Captivating journey through history and reflection. The photographs beautifully capture the essence of the place. It's fascinating to explore the significance and stories behind each memorial. Thank you for sharing this unique experience!
Cheers @smen thanks for stopping by, and your kind positive comments are appreciated my friend
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That's an interesting monastery and graveyard! Never seen before a cemetery with such large images of those who passed away. But it does give a unique vibe to the whole place!
Yes totally barren desert like even , then this graveyard, expensive marble monuments, money could be better spent on the living
Hhmmm interesting
But I know those kind of guides… just information overflow.
Great captures 😎
Have a great Wednesday 👋🏻😊
Cheers you too
Cheers @grindle
Heheh I love the sarcastic tone in your writing. I’d like to be able to see my face when I saw the people in the cementera. I was like: really? And then OMG, yes! That’s real!! You know a lot of history about this place and I have to say that it’s full of stories, strange energy and curious corners. I love it! I like a lot the originality in your writing!
Thank you @belug for stopping by and your very kind comments which I appreciate, you see life is too short to take seriously, laugh at everything, see joy in everything. I may offend some folk, but hey ho, that’s my style. Thanks again
Very beautiful places, the monastery gives me a feeling of tranquility, and the cemetery with those funerary monuments looks spectacular, and here in Romania it is customary for the funerary monuments to display images from the life of the deceased.
It is expensive for the family, surely money that could be used better ?
Hmmm never knew a graveyard can be crafted like this, with the personz full posture this must be quite expensive
Hi @fredaig , thanks for looking in, yes, marble memorials very expensive.
Wow lovely
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Wow, what beautiful photos! I love the building in the first photo so much! It looks so elegant and vintage! I see such beautiful memorials for the first time! I see that each person is depicted separately! It looks nice! Although a little sad 🥲
Sad yes, but happy they lived, thank you for stopping by @darine.darine
Tour guides can become a pain in the butt, good to go it alone exploring most times.
Pride and honour of those who went before, fascinated by the extreme precision of casting the person into the headstone. Another interesting detail I learned was many of the folk in the region, families visit, share a meal on important days at the grave might only be certain parts, not sure!
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Yes that could be true, a couple of graveyards I visited there were plates and empty drinks cans and left over food on some graves.
Something I did find fascinating watching Bald & Bankrupt traveling region, enjoyed his antics, knowledge and sharing of information.
Who the fuck is bald and bankrupt 😂
Well now someone I do enjoy during off times, Bald and Bankrupt some great adventures into places I will never reach....
Ahh! The worlds most eligible bachelor 😂 😂 😂
Keep going.... Knock him off his pedestal, he does enjoy getting into the old/odd places that is for sure!
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