The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has approved two Armenian submissions for inclusion on the organization’s World Heritage Tentative List: the “Urartian Heritage of Yerevan” and the “Archaeological Complex of Garni and the Symphony of Stones.”
The “Urartian Heritage of Yerevan” nomination highlights key archaeological landmarks, including the Erebuni Fortress, Karmir Blur, and the Biainian Tomb, which collectively showcase the legacy of the Urartian Kingdom from the 8th to 6th centuries BCE.
The second entry combines two notable sites: the first-century AD Garni Temple—one of the few examples of Hellenistic architecture in the region—and the natural basalt column formations of the Garni Gorge, commonly known as the “Symphony of Stones.”
The decision, made during the Committee’s session in Paris from July 6 to 16, represents a significant step in Armenia’s ongoing efforts to secure international recognition and protection for its cultural and historical heritage.
Armenian sites currently inscribed on the World Heritage List include the Cathedral and Churches of Etchmiadzin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots; the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; and the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley.
A site must be included on a country’s Tentative List before it can be officially nominated for World Heritage status.
