Photo Gallery A Bittersweet Country
A plateau near Sarnakunk: Armenia is located in the mountainous region between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.
Bread from a clay oven: Women bake fresh lavash bread.
Near and yet so far away: Although it is the symbol of the Armenians, Mt. Ararat is located in Turkish territory. The two countries have been hostile towards each other for centuries.
A village resident near Garni
Vineyards surround the Khor Virap monestary, and a spectaculaar view of Ararat can be seen behind it.
Stefan Simonian in his wine cellar: The former cooperative is now a family operation that produces 150,000 bottles per year of red wine. During good years, Simonian sells his wine as far away as Georgia and Russia ...
... but in bad years Simonian sells the wine in cola bottles on the side of the road to Tehran in neighboring Iran.
The ninth century Tatev monastery: For hundreds of years, this monestary was one of Armenia's most important religious sites.
... Today, Father Michael is responsible for religios life at the complex.
A child in the village of Sarnakunk
A stone-filled land: The archeological site is home to 223 large stone tombs.
