About The Project
This project was made possible by the generous support of the Manoogian Simone Foundation and Christine Simone, President of the Manoogian Simone Foundation.
The 100 Armenian Hidden Gems, envisioned by the late Prof. Gregory Areshian, is a groundbreaking initiative that brings Armenia’s most iconic—and often overlooked—archaeological and cultural sites into vivid focus. Carefully curated from over twenty-five thousand notable locations, this collection highlights forts, settlements, sacred landscapes, temples, and monasteries spanning every region of Armenia. Combining high-resolution aerial imagery, expert-authored historical narratives, and immersive drone-captured video, the project not only preserves these treasures for future generations but also breathes new life into their stories through state-of-the-art 3D modeling and virtual-reality experiences. From the rugged heights of ancient citadels to the silent grace of forgotten necropolises, each site is presented with scholarly rigor and visual splendor, reflecting Prof. Areshian’s passion for both academic excellence and accessible public education.
To support tourism development and foster deeper engagement with Armenia’s heritage, the initiative has been transformed into a versatile resource for industry professionals and curious travelers alike. All content—textual descriptions, photographic and video assets, and 3D renderings—has been meticulously edited for clarity and organized into an intuitive database. This academically approved repository serves as the definitive reference for tour operators, educators, and heritage enthusiasts seeking reliable information and inspiring storytelling. Whether you’re planning a specialized tour route, developing educational materials, or simply exploring Armenia’s rich past, the 100 Armenian Hidden Gems offers an unparalleled gateway to the soul of the nation.
The People Behind 100 Armenian Hidden Gems
Grigor Evgenii Areshyan, Visionary Founder
Grigor’s boundless passion for Armenia’s untold stories ignited this project. Though he passed away in 2020, his pioneering spirit continues to guide every aerial shot, narrative, and virtual-reality tour
Zarmine Zeytuntsyan, Project Manager & Tourism Lead
Zarmine turned vision into action. She oversaw every detail - from weaving tourism insights into the storytelling - so that the scholarly discoveries became unforgettable experiences for travelers and industry partners alike. She also managed TripAdvisor content, created a promotional film, and developed this website.
Viktorya Vasilyan, Academic Project Coordinator
Viktorya ensured that every site description met the highest academic standards. By managing expert contributions, fact-checking historical details, and guiding narrative development, she guaranteed that each “hidden gem” was both inspiring and rigorously accurate.