Zvartnotz

The ruins of this monument dating from the early mediaeval period are located on the motorway between Yerevan and Etchmiadzin (5km from the city of the Catholicos). One of the most important archaeological sites in the country is located in Zvartnots, a suburb of Yerevan; since the year 2000, it has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the cathedral and churches of Etchmiadzin.
Meaning ""the vigilant force"", the cathedral of that site was built from 642 to 662, at the initiative of Nerses III known as ""the Builder"", the catholicos at the time, according to a tetraconch (four conches) plan and circular gallery. Originally, there was a large palace but this building was destroyed in the 10th century by an earthquake. The cathedral was built according to an original plan since it is circular in shape.