The tour to the Yereruyk Temple will be especially intriguing for those fond of uncovering hidden historical secrets. Yereruyki Temple remains shrouded in mystery, from the various unconfirmed interpretations of its name among historians and locals to its truly unique architectural structure within Armenia. One of the three proposed explanations for its name suggests that the temple derives its name from Yereruatsi, an ancient village in Shirak province. According to Armenologist N. Marn, wild goats once roamed here, and perhaps the term “ere,” which means hunt, has something to do with the name. Another interpretation links the name to the temple’s architectural design: with six colossal columns, the temple appeared to sway (ereral in Armenian) from a distance, earning it the moniker “Yereruyk”.
Both the Yereruyki Cathedral and the village of Anipemza have been listed among the “7 most endangered monuments” by the international organization Europa Nostra.