Armenia has taken an important step toward preserving and achieving international recognition of its cultural heritage. In the near future, several sites may be added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, including the ancient pagan temple of Garni, the natural-architectural monument known as the Symphony of Stones, and the Urartian heritage of Yerevan.
This announcement was made by Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, while presenting the 2024 state budget report to the National Assembly.
According to the Minister, this is the first time in nearly three decades that Armenia has been able to submit new nominations. This year, three sites were included in the Tentative List, each possessing historical and cultural significance on a global scale.
The first site added to the Tentative List is the Dragon Stones monument and its surrounding cultural landscape. This unique landmark is located on the southwestern slope of Mount Aragats, in a picturesque valley between the peaks of Sev Sar (3,138 m) and Tirin Katar (2,858 m).
“For the first time in 29 years, Armenia has submitted a new application for inclusion on the UNESCO list. This is the result of systematic work and state funding aimed at preserving our cultural heritage,” Andreasyan emphasized.
The Minister reported that the second nomination includes a complex site comprising the ancient Garni Temple — the only surviving example of Hellenistic architecture in the post-Soviet area — and the Symphony of Stones, a natural phenomenon of basalt columns forming vertical walls along the Azat River gorge. According to Andreasyan, this combination demonstrates the harmony between nature and human creativity, making it especially valuable for the UNESCO list.
The third nomination concerns archaeological sites linked to the Urartian period of Yerevan’s history, specifically the Erebuni Fortress — a Urartian outpost founded in 782 BC. This is one of the oldest historical monuments on the territory of Armenia’s capital, confirming its role as one of the world’s most ancient cities.
Andreasyan noted that work has already begun on two of the three sites. UNESCO is expected to officially acknowledge receipt of the applications and start its review process soon. The Minister stressed that this achievement is the result not only of government funding but also of the dedicated efforts of cultural heritage specialists.
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