2. The Study Sites
We gathered the data necessary to do a travel cost method study by interviewing
domestic visitors on site at four locations—Garni, Haghardzin, Khor Virap, and Tatev—
using a structured questionnaire. An equal number of respondents (125) were interviewed
by professional enumerators at each of these sites.
Garni is the only Hellenistic temple in Armenia. It dates back to the first century
AD and has an extensive archeological site, along with a modern shelter structure built
around the remains of the bath house and its mosaic floor. It is the only major cultural
heritage site in Armenia that charges a modest entrance fee. Khor Virap is one of the
most visited sites in Armenia because of its religious importance.3 Haghardzin lies in
forest and is one of Armenia’s most visited monasteries. The Tatev monastery is part of a
complex surrounded by a large fortified wall, and looks down on a gorge, in a beautiful
natural environment.
The scenic quality is striking at all of these sites, except perhaps for Khor Virap.
With the exception of Mount Ararat as a backdrop, the monastery of Khor Virap does not
offer otherwise scenic views. The study sites are popular destinations among Armenian
residents. Garni (20km from Yerevan) and Khor Virap (40km from Yerevan) are very
close to the capital, Yerevan, and can be reached from the capital in about thirty minutes.
The other two sites, Tatev and Haghardzin, are quite far from the capital. Haghardzin is at
3 Khor Virap is famous as the place where King Tiridates (Trdat) III imprisoned St. Gregory the Illuminator
(the founder of Christianity in Armenia) for 13 years in the late 3rd century. Legend has it that, after
ordering the execution of a group of Christian virgins led by Hripsime and Gayane, the King experienced a
metamorphosis whereby his head turned into the head of a boar. Upon the release of St. Gregory and the
conversion of the King to Christianity, he resumed his human aspect. This led to the adoption of
Christianity as the country’s official religion in 301 AD, which makes Armenia the first Christian nation in
the world. It is still possible to visit the subterranean cell where St. Gregory was imprisoned.