Arakelots was one of the most prominent Armenian religious sites until the Armenian Genocide. According to fable, the monastery was built by St. Gregory the Illuminator (a 3rd-century religious figure who was instrumental in Armenia’s conversion to Christianity). Today, the church ruins are frequented mainly by treasure hunters and wild horses, which roam outside her hallowed halls.

Many lists float around the Interweb for everything from the "Top 10 Reasons to Recycle" to the "11 Best Pizza Toppings, Ranked." Though environmental conservation and delicious pizza are no doubt important, there also exist a range of topics that have not yet been explored, uncovered, or synthesized on the web. To date, no such user-friendly resource exists for visiting the western half of our historic homeland, which we commonly refer to as Western Armenia, but is located today within the confines of the Republic of Turkey. A land that, for over two millennia, teemed with Armenian culture has been all but relegated to our dreams, with few Armenians ever having visited the towns and villages of their ancestors in the past century. We hope to change that with this guide...and with your help!

Why this list?

This list aims to bring Western Armenia alive for you by portraying its small beauties in the present day. The grainy black-and-white photos collecting dust in your grandparents’ attic are great windows into the past but offer little insight into the last 100 years. Indeed, Western Armenia is the past, but it is also the present, and it can soon be the future. Come, explore, meet the Armenians who still live here, and learn about how you can reshape the fate of these ancient lands.

Our youngest adventurer, Veysel, (a hidden Armenian) shows us the ruins of St. Sarkis Church in Diyarbakir, which was caught in the crosshairs of violence three years ago between local Kurds and the Turkish military.



Disclaimer: This list does not seek to downgrade or downplay the very real concerns of violent appropriation, destruction, and silencing of Armenian culture and way of life by hostile forces. The legacy of devastation is very real and continues to pose a problem for all those who yearn for justice. But, in the midst of so much pain, there is also immense beauty and serenity. It is time to shift the narrative of Western Armenia from a lost relic of the past to a living, breathing treasure trove for generations to uncover and replenish.

Top 10 reasons to visit Western Armenia