Mount Ara

Coordinates: 40°24’26.77, 44°27’0.66

Mount Ara (2,605 m) is situated in the southeastern part of Aragats between the Kasagh and Hrazdan rivers, and is distinguished by an irregular cone shape with a truncated summit and a natural fracture in its southwestern section. The mountain is composed of volcanic rock and its slopes are broken-up by deep crevasses. The climate there is largely continental, with annual precipitation averaging between 300-400 mm. 

This accounts for the thick oak groves and many shrubs that dot the mountainside. There are also semi-deserts with an abundance of wormwood, while the upper sections of the mountain consist of steppe. The northern slope of the mountain is well-covered by forests, with thick swaths of oak and lime in the lower parts, as well as juniper bushes and other shrubs.

The legend of Mount Ara

The name of Ara mountain is connected with the name of an Armenian king Ara the Beautiful. The legend has it, that an Assyrian queen Semiramis was deeply in love with Ara. She wanted to connect Assyria and Armenia and rule together with Ara. But all her efforts were in vain, as Ara was not interested in her. Semiramis’ heart was broken and she declared war on Armenia. In this way she tried to forcibly get Ara, but unfortunately the king was killed during the battle, which took place on the slopes of the mountain. Semiramis didn’t want to accept the fact that Ara was no longer alive and ordered to take his body to the top of mountain, where Aralezes would lick his wounds and bring him back to life.

Till now the body of the king is lying there in an unknown tomb. This is why the mountain is called Ara. If you look carefully you can notice that the mountain has the shape of a lying man.

Tsaghkevank monastery on the slopes of Mount Ara

Tsaghkevank Monastery is also located on the slopes of the mountain, and for this reason the mountain is often also referred to as Mount Tsaghkevankasar. The monastery is named after a story associated with Saint Varvara, who was persecuted by her own father for adopting the Christian faith. According to the story, Varvara hid herself from her father in the cave, but her hiding place was given away by the local shepherds and after discovering her, her father had her put to death. Before dying, Varvara cursed the treacherous shepherds, and they immediately turned to stone beside their sheep.

Hiking and Trekking in Armenia