Armenia’s rich historical and cultural legacy has gained new momentum on the international stage as three major heritage sites have been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. These include the Urartian Heritage of Yerevan, the Archaeological Complex of Garni, and the famed Basalt Organ Columnar Joint, popularly known as the “Symphony of Stones.”
The decision was made during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Paris, according to a statement from Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.
Inclusion on the Tentative List is a prerequisite for future nomination to the prestigious World Heritage List, which recognizes sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to humanity.
With the latest additions, Armenia’s Tentative List now includes:
- The archaeological site of the ancient city of Dvin (added 1995)
- The Yererouk basilica and archaeological site (1995)
- The Noravank monastery and upper Amaghou Valley (1995)
- The Tatev and Tatevi Anapat monasteries and Vorotan Valley (1995)
- The Vishaps and cultural landscape of Tirinkatar (2024)
- The Archaeological Complex of Garni and Basalt Organ (2025)
- The Urartian Heritage of Yerevan (2025)
Armenia already boasts several sites on the official World Heritage List, including the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin, the Cathedral and Churches of Etchmiadzin, the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots, and the Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley.
According to UNESCO guidelines, a site must be included on the Tentative List before it becomes eligible for formal nomination to the World Heritage List.
