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Areni Village is a village in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia located on the bank of Arpa River. Areni is one of the oldest settled territories of Armenia.
It is best known for its wine production. According to Roman historians, Armenian wine was being exported to almost all the countries of the world. In their turn, Urartian inscriptions state about the high level of Armenian wine growing back in the 8th century BC. In the Middle Ages Armenian wine had reached Europe. A document was found with the note about Lithuanian agents having bought Armenian wine for the court of Vilnius.
The Church of Saint Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother) of Areni was built in 1321 by Archbishop Hovhannes Orbelyan. The church’s architect was miniaturist and sculptor Momik Vardpet who is best known for his high-relief carvings at the monastery of Noravank (located approximately 6 kilometers southeast from Areni).
The 5500-year-old shoe was found in 2008 in Areni in a cave more known as Areni-1 cave complex. The shoe was found in near to perfect condition.
Areni Winery was found during excavations. The winery includes fermentation vats (containers), wine press, storage jars and pottery sherds.
Areni Wine Festival has been celebrated since 2010, and offers a great opportunity to discover Armenia, its culture and traditions, be present at wine-making process as well as try various delicious Armenian wines the fame of which has long been spread throughout the world and which have been inseparable of the dinners served in the royal courts.
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Modern civilization began right here in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley. Also known as the Fertile Crescent or Mesopotamia, this is the place where, six thousand years ago, agriculture, writing and mathematics were brought into widespread use.The term "Middle East" comes from the British navy, which used it to describe the countries on the trade route from Europe to India and China. Everything from Afghanistan to Morocco may possibly be classified as "middle eastern", depending on whom you ask -- and when.Only a partial list of past Empires in the middle eastern territory includes Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, the Ottoman Empire and the Roman Empire!When northern Europe was still lurking about in slimy cold stone castles playing chess, the Middle East was enjoying the flowers of poetry, luxurious craftsmanship, music and literature. In fact, the Renaissance in Europe was partly inspired by stories brought back from the middle east by travelers along the trade route.Strategic location, religious history and the world's largest supply of crude oil have kept the Middle East at the center of world activity for centuries. The saga continues.Text by Steve Smith.
