Temple of Light: New illumination system unveiled at Zvartnots Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum

A new artistic lighting system has been launched at the Zvartnots Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum, giving one of Armenia’s most iconic architectural monuments a striking new nighttime appearance. The new illumination was officially unveiled during a cultural event titled “Temple of Light,” symbolically bridging the ancient temple’s past and present through light.

Among those attending the ceremonial lighting event were Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Deputy Minister Alfred Kocharyan, and numerous guests.

Work on the Zvartnots lighting project took nearly three years. The initiative was implemented by the Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserves SNCO under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The project’s total budget amounted to 26.2 million drams, including 19.8 million drams from the state budget and 6.4 million drams from the institution’s extra-budgetary funds.

According to Armen Hovhannisyan, Director of the Service for the Protection of Historical Environment and Historical-Cultural Museum-Reserves, approximately 170 million drams in state-funded investments have been made at the Zvartnots complex over the past three years. The improvements include the complete replacement of paving stones and the irrigation system, restoration of the historic wine press, renovation of the museum building’s roof, and implementation of the new lighting project. Additional works are also planned.

Hovhannisyan noted that the projects are aimed at both preserving and promoting the monument. He added that visitor numbers increased by nearly 15% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, reflecting growing public and tourist interest in the UNESCO World Heritage site.