Nearly 45 minutes outside of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, lays 2 very interesting sites worth checking out. Off the highway, towards the city of Aparan lays the 33 meter high Holy Cross and the Holy Trinity Altar of Hope. These two monuments are settled in the triangle of Ararat, Aragats, and the Ara Mountains.
The amazing thing about the High Cross is that it is comprised of over 1,700 pipe-like shaped crosses. It was designed that way to perform like a church pipe organ so the winds could play sacred music. The number of pipes corresponds to each year Armenia has adopted Christianity and each year a new pipe cross is added in October. Armenia adopted Christianity in the early 4th century. At night it’s also well lit and creates a dramatic effect too. The Holy Cross was founded by the then Prosecutor General of Armenia, Mr. Avghan Hovsepyan, Chairman of the Nig-Aparan Patriotic Union.
The Holy Trinity Altar of Hope is a large and elaborate shrine also to be used for secular events and festivities after religious ceremonies. Matagh, a popular Armenian ceremony of sacrificing a sheep or small animal as a gratitude to God can be performed here too as well as other types of festivities.
I had the good fortune of visiting this site on two occasions. Once was during the beginning of summer on a pilgrimage tour with my organization and again during the end of summer. It’s quite a popular spot with tourists so expect big crowds and come very early if you want good pictures with no one around. There’s no way you can miss seeing these sites due to their grandeur and size. These two interesting sites are only meters away from the famous Alphabet Park too. If you have time, check out Ushi Berd and Amberd Fortress as well as two medieval monasteries, Saghmosavank and Hovannavank that are just minutes away.
Make sure you have your wide lens camera in order to capture the size and depth of these impressive structures.
Happy traveling.