Yerevan is a beautiful place. Travel to the ancient country of Armenia. Historical Museum of Armenia
Yerevan is the oldest Armenian city in the region mountain peaks, ancient monasteries, which is called an open-air museum.
Capital of Armenia attracts tourists with an abundance of attractions that have preserved national characteristics, history. Armenian culture. True, little remains of the ancient buildings, since Yerevan has been destroyed and rebuilt dozens of times throughout its life. The atmosphere of the city is conducive to making guests of the country feel at home. In Yerevan you can see how and how the Armenian people live.
Cascade Museum
The pride of Armenia and the most important attraction of Yerevan is the Cascade.
Cascade is a museum of modern art built in 2009 year. Its distinctive feature is, without exaggeration, a pompous staircase with artificial fountains-waterfalls made of milky tuff. This structure connects the upper and lower city, which is located high in the mountains.
The cascade is located on Tamanyan Street behind the Opera and Ballet Theater. Climbing to its top, you will be able to see with your own eyes the fabulous views of Yerevan against the backdrop of the legendary Ararat. The Great Cascade, on top of which the obelisk of the Revived Armenia is installed, is compared by art historians with the famous Babylonian pyramid. They plan to turn this place into a park and an art gallery: works of ancient sculptors will be exhibited inside the structure, and works of contemporaries will be displayed outside.
A little advice for guests of the capital: entrance to the park itself is free, but in order to visit the museum halls, you need to purchase tickets on the first floor (it is advisable to do this immediately so as not to waste time).
Historical Museum of Armenia
The most visited attraction in Yerevan is Historical Museum of Armenia, which houses incredible exhibitions within its walls that can transport a modern person into the distant past for a few minutes.
In this museum, rich in exhibits, the curious tourist will find a lot of interesting things: the following are carefully preserved here:
- ancient monuments,
- manuscripts,
- works of monumental painting,
- coins from different eras,
- all kinds of jewelry and tools from the Bronze Age.
The museum is located on Republic Street, 4.
Prices and tickets are reasonable: 1000 drams – for adults; 300 drams – for schoolchildren, students and pensioners.
Yerevan is a city of attractions and museums. Armenia can be compared to an old bag of gold: at first glance it may seem to you that this country is pale, still hiding behind the shadows Soviet Union, but if you decide to look into this bag, you will find a lot of interesting and even precious things.
House-Museum of Aram Khachaturian
This is considered a gold bar House-Museum of Aram Khachaturian, famous Armenian composer XX century.
Not only in the heart of Yerevan you will find interesting places. In the vicinity of the city, tourists are given the opportunity to go to the mountains with professional guides and look at the breathtaking views Ararat valleys(this is quite expensive and not every tourist can afford it).
Near the monument to architect A. Tamanyan you will be greeted by a cozy Khachaturian Museum, which was created in 1982 after his death as a sign of gratitude for his work and greatness of talent. On the site of this museum there used to be a mansion in which Aram Ilyich’s brother lived with his family, and the composer himself often stayed here after tiring tours and trips.
Here visitors will be able to appreciate not only the exhibits, but also hear music written by Aram Ilyich. And for those who like to read, there is a small library with a collection of works A. Khachaturyan.
Believe me, in Yerevan and its surroundings, inquisitive tourists have places to go and things to see.
Genocide Museum
A “sore topic” for any Armenian is the memories of the events of the genocide in Armenia during the First World War. This is a terrible period in Armenian history, which took thousands of innocent souls. At the Genocide Museum Armenians in Yerevan, you will feel the sadness and tragedy of this event.
The museum was built on the mountainside on the territory of Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial to the Armenian genocide. This museum has a rather symbolic form. The building itself is completely underground and resembles a tomb, and the round structure inside is the circles of hell through which the victims of the terrible genocide had to go.
Entrance to the museum is free
Temples
Those who want to relax their souls and get aesthetic pleasure should definitely visit Blue Mosque in Yerevan. This is the only Muslim cathedral in Armenia, which by its existence indicates that the inhabitants of this country respect God and are tolerant of their choice of religion.
This mosque is called Blue because of the color of the dome. The cathedral has a cozy courtyard with apricot trees, where the great Armenian poet loved to seek inspiration for his poetry Yeghishe Charents. They say after the visit Heavenly Mosque people feel happy and find peace of mind. This mosque is a home for those who want to talk with God and find harmony.
Free admission
Every tourist in Armenia should visit one of the most mysterious attractions of Yerevan and its surroundings - Zvartnots Temple, also known in narrow circles as the “Temple of the Vigilant Angels”.
This amazing temple was built during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Constantine II, however, unfortunately, it did not last long - only 300 years. The foundation of the building could not withstand the earthquake and collapsed like a house of cards. Until the 20th century, it was completely buried under a pile of earth and sand.
Today, the Zvartnots Temple is being actively reconstructed: the first tier of the building has already been revived thanks to the work of architects. Now there is a museum there that anyone can visit.
If you decide to get to know Yerevan in 2 days and you have time to see its sights, understand what influenced the formation of Armenia, then hurry to Zvartnots Temple.
It is located outside the city and you will most likely spend a lot of time getting to this place. Excursions most often also take quite a long time, because, you see, you cannot tell the history of the temple and the Armenian people in half an hour.
Be sure to take something to snack with you (especially if you are with children), since there are no shops nearby.
Free admission
Erebuni Fortress
If you are visiting Armenia or are just planning to visit this country, then you should definitely see it with your own eyes Erebuni fortress.
Erebuni Fortress- This historical monument, which has preserved its strength and spirit in every stone, in every wall inscription ancient people, living in the city of Erebuni. Legend has it that a thousand years ago, on the instructions of the king Argishti I The Erebuni fortress was built as a symbol of the above-mentioned city, in which the proud and invincible people of the Ararat Valley lived.
This city is not only a landmark, but also a real descendant of the capital of Armenia, since the name of the city of Yerevan comes from the name of the Erebuni fortress.
This monument is still a real mystery for historians, since it is fraught with many questions, the answers to which they have yet to find.
It is advisable to take a taxi to the fortress so that there are no difficulties on the road (it is located outside the city).
Monuments
As soon as you leave railway station, on Sasuntsi David Square you will be greeted by a copper monument to David of Sassoun, riding on his faithful horse Kurkika Jalali.
Yerevan residents are proud of this monument, since the image of Sasuntsi David is a symbol of the invincible spirit of the Armenian people. Even if you are not familiar with the heroic epic of Armenia, then when you see the monument you will still feel all the greatness of this hero, who raised an iron sword against the enemy and defeated him in a fair fight.
The famous copper monument stands proudly in the center of Yerevan "Mother Armenia".
This is a symbol of the homeland, depicted in the image of a mother woman sheathing a sword.
The monument is located in Haghtanak Park (city center).
One of the most amazing places Yerevan, which never ceases to fascinate tourists and citizens is Singing Fountains.
Singing Yerevan fountains is a small Venice in the heart of Armenia. If you want to feel like the heroes of a romantic film, then invite your loved one to this special place, you will find yourself in a fairy tale. You will remember this magnetic place for a long time.
If you want to see in 3 days the life of people in Yerevan, what they love about their city, then this is the place for you.
- You will not only have time to visit all the sights of Yerevan, but also spend the whole night among the Singing Fountains.
- At dawn, go up to your room and see Mount Ararat greeting the sun.
The fountains operate every day from late May to September.
What to see in Yerevan in 4 days
Yerevan residents are trying in every possible way to make their capital European city, so at almost every step you will encounter different unusual places, which will allow you to find out how Armenia and its inhabitants live.
I would advise tourists who plan to see the sights of Yerevan in 4 days to find out what Armenians consider their pride. And you can understand this by going to Tatev Monastery.
It is located in the Syunik region (in the small town of Tatev), it is advisable to go there by taxi or pre-book an excursion (you will be taken there by bus along with a group of tourists).
The peculiarity of Armenians is that they try in every possible way to preserve their national traditions and, importantly, are proud of their people.
A little advice for tourists!
If you only have 1 day to see the sights of Yerevan, then you better visit:
- Grand Cascade;
- Blue Mosque;
- house-museum of A. Khachaturian.
Since they are located in the very center of the city, you will have time to relax and continue your journey further.
Where to go in Yerevan
Armenians invest a lot of work and money into improving their capital in order to become part of Europe. On the streets of Yerevan, tourists can meet not only modern sculptures(for example, a famous sculpture "Letter Man"), but also street musicians playing unusual Armenian jazz.
In Yerevan, you won’t have to think long about where to go, since you can easily find some newfangled restaurant in the center, or go to shopping centers, to amusement parks where you can have a good rest and have fun with your children.
And if you are a budget tourist, then you will discover Armenian fast food, although instead of hamburgers and cola you will be offered national Armenian meat dishes.
Yerevan is a miniature piece in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains. In winter we recommend visiting the Western Caucasus. And also, when going to the mountains, don’t forget about the equipment:
Where to go in Yerevan with children
If you come to Yerevan with children, then you definitely need to take them to Yerevan Zoo. Believe me, you will not only make your children happy, but you will also return to childhood.
In order for the animals to feel comfortable within the walls of the zoo, workers have created as close as possible to wildlife living conditions. The amazing thing is that here the animals can get their own food in their own spacious cages. This is a very memorable sight that visitors often watch.
Today, the Yerevan Zoo is home to approximately 2,749 animals (about three hundred species).
In the evenings, zoo workers will not let you get bored: there are interesting puppet shows, mime shows, live sculptures, and performances by the animals themselves together with experienced trainers.
The zoo receives visitors every day (it is located quite far from the city, but people go there free buses for visitors)
Today I’ll tell you about the sights of Yerevan and the surrounding area and where to go in the capital of Armenia. Surely everyone who comes here is wondering what to see in Yerevan in 2-3 days and how to truly experience it?
In this post I will try to answer all the questions about interesting places in the city - I chose the 20 best in my opinion. Go!
It makes sense to go to Yerevan for at least 3 days, because places worth visiting are located not only in the city itself, but also within a radius of 20-40 km from it, which by Russian standards is a mere trifle; you can make the capital your base and organize excursions to interesting places in District. But let's talk about everything in order.
Excursion bus
Sights of Yerevan and surrounding areas
The capital of Armenia made a pleasant impression on us, despite the fact that the country is very poor - this can be seen immediately on the road from the airport to the city. Yerevan is located on scorched hills overlooking Mount Ararat and is notable for its buildings built from red tuff - it looks very elegant!
Read also:
We were there at the end of August, it was still a bit hot during the day, but in the evening life was just beginning, the city moved at its own measured pace. Old people play backgammon on benches, kids run around with scooters and roller skates, and summer cafes put tables outside. Then everyone sits and spends the evening talking.
Yerevan is not like other capitals: Moscow, Bangkok, Astana...People here are in no hurry, they can stop and shout something to each other across the street;-)
Life in Yerevan
In the center there are 2 districts: Freedom Square (where Opera theatre and Cascade) and Republic Square (with adjacent government buildings, Vernissage market and museums). Between them lies the so-called Northern Avenue - the most fashionable place in Yerevan with expensive boutiques, shops, and salons.
1. Cascade
Perhaps one of the symbols of Yerevan, known far beyond its borders. Endless flights of stairs rushing up to the Monument of Revived Armenia, decorated with flowers, waterfalls, and art objects.
Modern Art
The construction of the cascade began in the 70s of the 20th century, but after the collapse of the union the money ran out. So it stood unfinished until a philanthropist appeared - an American with Armenian roots, Gerard Cafeschan (a representative of the Armenian diaspora). It was decided to make an art gallery inside and place works by modern masters outside, for example the sculpture “Black Cat” by Fernando Botero. Be sure to go inside, ride the escalator, and visit the galleries.
City view
It’s great to come to the Cascade at sunset or in the evening, when it gets dark - it’s beautifully illuminated. It's too hot here during the day. If you climb to the very top, you can see the whole city at a glance, and good weather and Ararat is clearly visible (it is already in Turkey).
View of Ararat from Yerevan early in the morning
2. Opera House and Freedom Square
A favorite vacation spot for townspeople, the square is surrounded by a park, and there is even Swan Lake. There are many outdoor cafes nearby, kids roller skating, old people talking while sitting on a bench - a pleasant atmosphere. If you're lucky with the dates, you can even get to the theater concert!
Address: st. Tumanyan, 54
3. Matenadaran
Matenadaran is a museum of ancient manuscripts, one of the largest repositories in the world ancient manuscripts. Now there are more than 17 thousand manuscripts and more than 2 thousand ancient books stored here: the works of philosophers, mathematicians, geographers and the greatest minds of their time - a treasure trove of knowledge!
The museum building is clearly visible from the northern part of the city; it rises on a hill at the end of Mesrop Mashtots Street, the creator of Armenian writing.
Address: Mashtots Avenue, 53.
Operating mode: 10:00-16:00, Tuesday-Saturday.
Entry fee: 1000 dram.
4. Republic Square
Republic Square in Yerevan (also known as Lenin Square) is surrounded by hefty government buildings made of red tuff and expensive hotels. There is also a fountain, which is illuminated with all the colors of the rainbow from 9 to 11 pm in the summer. Perfect place to sit in the evening!
5. State Museum history of Armenia
Located opposite the fountain on Republic Square. In this museum you can trace the entire history of Armenia from the Stone Age to the present day. More than 400 thousand items are stored here cultural heritage, such as a collection of bronze objects from the 3rd millennium BC or shoes aged 5,000 years, which are considered the oldest in the world! How do you like it, huh? ;-)
Address: Arami, 1
Operating mode: Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00.
Entry fee: 1000 dram
Museum and fountain nearby
6. Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is the only working mosque in the capital of Armenia today. It was built in 1766 by the Persian Khan, and in Soviet time The Yerevan Museum and Planetarium were located here. Currently, it is the center of the Iranian community and, as it were, shows good relations between Armenia and its southern neighbor. Remember to dress properly: cover your shoulders and legs.
Address: Mashtots Avenue, 12
Operating mode: 10:00-18:00
Entrance to the mosque
7. Ararat Cognac Factory.
What is Armenia best known for? Of course, the legendary cognac! Therefore, we will include the Ararat Brandy Factory among the attractions of Yerevan. The factory offers tours where you can see the entire production process. The cost is 4,500 drams for tasting 3 and 5 year old cognac and 10,000 dram for tasting 10, 20 and 30 year old cognac.
There is also a Barrel of Peace with cognac alcohol 1994. It will be opened as soon as the Karabakh conflict is resolved, but for now everyone can leave inscriptions on it.
Address: Admiral Isakov Avenue, 2
Operating mode: 09:30 – 16:00, Monday-Friday
Ararat Cognac Factory
8. Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Move from gluttony to spiritual nourishment and visit the huge cathedral in the city center. This new building looks rather stark with its square corners and massive domes, but the inside is nice and spacious. You will have the opportunity to watch local weddings, religious services and other rituals that take place here every day. It’s especially cool when the organ starts playing, giving you goosebumps!
Address: st. Tigran Mets, opposite Zoravar Andranik metro station
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Central Cathedral
9. Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan (Tsitsernakaberd)
To better understand modern Armenia, it is simply necessary to “read” the darkest page in the history of this country - the Armenian genocide of 1915. A memorial complex on a hill, which is clearly visible from many parts of the city, is dedicated to the events of those years. The center of the complex is a 44-meter stele, broken in half. The visit does not leave the most pleasant memory; the photographs show all the horror and grief of the people, and in total about one and a half million Armenians were killed (!).
Address: Tsitsernakaberd hill
Operating mode: Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00
Entry fee: for free
10. Market Vernissage
The most famous antiques market in Yerevan - here you can find everything your heart desires, from old blades and coins to modern souvenirs. Dishes, records, books, coins, weapons, carpets, musical instruments and much more are on display.
Antiques and souvenirs market
11. House-museums of famous Armenians
Armenians are very creative people. In the capital, several house-museums of famous representatives of art have been preserved, for example, Sergei Parajanov, a famous avant-garde director, Martiros Saryan, a Soviet artist, and Hovhannes Tumanyan, a writer and poet.
Locals are very proud of these people and always recommend visiting their museums.
12. Northern Avenue
Yerevan Arbat and favorite place rich youth of the capital - the most modern district of the center. The pedestrian street starts from Abovyan Street (near Republic Square) and stretches north to the Opera House.
Until recently, there were private houses here that were bought for the construction of luxury real estate. As they say, few locals live here; mostly wealthy representatives of the Armenian diaspora from all over the world buy housing in this quarter.
Northern Avenue
Take a walk down the street after a busy day, sit in one of the cafes, and shopping lovers can go shopping, although the price tag here is overpriced.
13. Mother Armenia Monument
A huge 54-meter monument rises above the city and is located in Victory Park. Built in 1950 in honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, although until 1962 there was a monument to Stalin. Inside the monument there is a museum of the Second World War and the Karabakh War, and around the square there are samples of weapons displayed.
The townspeople themselves relax in Victory Park, you will probably meet them and start talking with them ;-)
Address: Haghtanak (Victory) Park.
Operating mode: 10:00-17:00 Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-15:00 Saturday-Sunday.
Entry fee: free, photography 500 AMD.
Sights of Yerevan photo
What to see in Yerevan in 3 more days? Very close to the capital there are several interesting and must-see places - it is convenient to make excursions to them for half a day or a day, returning back to Yerevan.
14. Khor Virap Monastery
One of best views Mount Ararat opens from the Khor Virap monastery, 30 km south of Yerevan. The monastery is famous for the fact that the pagan king Trdat III imprisoned St. Gregory the Illuminator in a deep well, where he sat for 12 years. Until the king fell ill, and Gregory cured the sick man, after which Trdat converted to Christianity.
It is ideal to come here early in the morning (6-7 o’clock), then Ararat can be best seen. During the day it is hellishly hot and there is almost no shade.
Entry fee: for free
How to get there: a couple of buses a day from the David Sasuntsi metro station, 400 drams, 40 minutes on the way. A more comfortable option is to take a taxi, which will cost about 10,000 drams there and back. The taxi driver will wait for you while you walk.
Khor Virap
15. Garni
The pagan temple 28 km from Yerevan is interesting because it dates back to the Hellenistic era and was dedicated to the sun god - Mithras. A little later, the summer residence of the Armenian kings was set up in this place - an inaccessible place on the edge of a cliff.
Garni represents palace complex, ruins ancient temple and the baths located nearby, and the feeling that you really came to Greece. All this was built over the picturesque gorge of the Azat River, and it is famous for its rocks of a regular hexagonal shape. Go down and walk along the river and you can get a closer look at these hexagons.
Entry fee: 1000 dram
How to get there: minibuses and buses from the Mercedes showroom in Yerevan, 250 drams, every hour, or by taxi.
Neighborhoods of Yerevan
16. Geghard Monastery
One of our favorite places in the vicinity of Yerevan - the Geghard monastery is located among picturesque and steep cliffs in a narrow gorge 40 km from the capital. Some of the temples are completely hollowed out inside the rocks; one even has a spring with crystal clear, tasty water. The construction of the monastery dates back to the 4th century. It is believed that the spear with which Jesus was pierced was kept here, and now it can be seen in Etchmiadzin.
Geghard Monastery in the gorge
Christenings take place in Geghard, newlyweds arrive, and you will probably attend some kind of service. The monastery makes a strong impression!
It is convenient to combine a trip to Geghard with an excursion to Garni, everything will be along the way.
Entry fee: for free
How to get there: by bus 284 to Gokhta, then walk 4.5 km to the monastery. Or hitchhike from Garni, by taxi for 1000 drams (round trip).
Inside the temple
17. Echmiadzin
One of the significant spiritual centers of the country, the residence of the Armenian Catholicos, Cathedral in Etchmiadzin was built in the 4th century, and was restored in the 5th, 7th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Entry fee: for free
How to get there: by bus from Yerevan from the main bus station, 250 drams, every 10 minutes.
18, 19, 20. Amberd Fortress, Lake Kari, Mount Aragats
Amberd Fortress is located north of Yerevan on the way to Lake Kari Lich (Armenian for “lake”) and Mount Aragats (the highest in Armenia). Built at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level at the confluence of the Amberd and Arkashen rivers. It is believed that the fortress was never conquered, and this is not difficult to believe.
On the way, you can stop by the Byurakan Observatory and even spend the night there, observing the stars. And a little further up the road there is Lake Kari, inaccessible in winter due to snow. The road ends here, and it is from the lake that everyone who wants to climb Mount Aragats departs.
How to get there: there are only 3-4 minibuses a day from the Yerevan bus station to Byurakan, the best choice- taxi or your own car.
To travel comfortably around the outskirts of Yerevan, I recommend taking a taxi, it will be much faster, and if there is a whole group of you, it will be quite cheap. However, hitchhiking in Armenia is wonderful, that’s how we went, and you can get to know the locals better!
Thus, I would advise spending 1-2 days sightseeing in Yerevan, and setting aside at least a couple more days for trips to interesting places around the city. In general, we liked it here so much that we stayed for almost a week;-) And what - the people are nice and hospitable, and the city is cozy.
UPD on a tip from readers: take a special tourist “Yerevan Card”, the price of which includes visits to many museums (including the Ararat Brandy Factory), transfer from the airport, metro, several excursions, discounts in cafes, restaurants, hotels and much more other.
There are several types of these cards: 24 hours ($29), 48 hours ($39), 72 hours ($48) and unlimited ($49). You can buy it at the airport or at sales offices in Yerevan.
Friends, if you know any other sights of Yerevan and places that are definitely worth visiting, write in the comments!
In 1924, A. O. Tamanyan created a project according to which the capital of Armenia was reconstructed and rebuilt, and, unfortunately, all the ancient buildings, mosques, and churches were destroyed. And today's Yerevan is what was created during the USSR.
You can start getting acquainted with the city from the Great Cascade, an unusual architectural complex reminiscent of a majestic pyramid. The Grand Cascade is a large scale staircase made of milky tuff, connecting the city center with residential areas located high in the mountains.
Its openings are decorated with beautiful sculptures, fountains and flower beds. In the evening, thanks to the magnificent illumination, the cascade is visible from afar, illuminated almost all night with bright lights.
In front of the Great Cascade there is a small well-groomed square with multiple figures of hares. And having climbed to the very top of the cascade staircase, from the observation deck you can enjoy fabulous panoramas of the city and the symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat.
The “Pink City,” as Yerevan is also called because of the buildings built of volcanic stone (tufa), which has a pinkish tint, is the oldest in the world, founded before Rome.
The building, built in 1959 by architect Mark Grigoryan, houses the Matenadaran named after. Mesrop Mashtots, or the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, is one of the most significant book depositories in the world (more than 17,000 ancient manuscripts and more than 100 thousand ancient archival documents) on various languages: Latin, Russian, Arabic, Hebrew, Syriac, Japanese, Greek, Persian and others.
In Yerevan's Haghtanak Park, a favorite place for Yerevan residents to walk, there is a 54-meter monument in honor of the USSR Victory in the Great Patriotic War - Mother Armenia (Mayr Hayastan), made in hammered copper and symbolizing the greatness and power of the Motherland. This is a mother woman sheathing a sword, and at her feet lies a shield.
The sunny, welcoming, and very picturesque capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is always happy to welcome guests. The “Pink City” hides a lot of interesting and beautiful things, so it will take more than one day to explore all its sights. But even the shortest trip will bring travelers a lot of pleasure: below are the most striking, famous and interesting places. We'll tell you what to see and where to go in Yerevan in a short time.
Sights of Yerevan on the map:
The main attraction of the capital of Armenia, without visiting which it is impossible to imagine a trip to this city, is the Cascade architectural complex. This is a whole system of sculptures, stairs, flower beds, flower beds and fountains, built according to the design of the architect Alexander Tamayan, who developed the development plan for Yerevan.
Photo of the Cascade in Yerevan
The construction originates in a small square where works of world-famous sculptors are located. The attraction was built with the help of a businessman, philanthropist and collector from the United States, Gerard Cafesjian. Flying up 740 steps, the Cascade rests on observation deck with the obelisk “Revived Armenia”. The Cascade itself in Yerevan is 500 meters long and 50 meters wide. At the top next to the obelisk there is an eternal gray construction site:
From above, Yerevan is in full view:
Warm up with tea on the observation deck
In 2009, when work on the monumental building was completed, the entrepreneur opened interior spaces The “Arts Center” is a museum where works in the style of contemporary art are exhibited. You can find sculptures by Stanislav Libensky and Yaroslava Brikhtova, works by John Altuna, Andy Warhol, Grigor Khanjyan, Marc Chagall, Fernando Botero, Arshile Gorky and many other masters. The Center also has a Swarovski Crystal Palace room and concert hall. We visited a similar one in Istanbul.
Republic Square
Republic Square (formerly named after Lenin) is the central square in Yerevan. In 1924 it was designed by Tamayan, and by 1958 everything construction works were completed. It is here that all public holidays take place, and it was here that multi-day rallies took place during the spring unrest in Armenia in 2018.
Architectural ensemble The object is formed by several buildings, the facades of which are decorated with pink and white tuff:
- The government of the country with city chimes;
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Energy;
- Museum of the History of Armenia;
- Central Post;
- Marriott Armenia Hotel.
Matenadaran
The Matenadaran Institute of Ancient Manuscripts named after St. Mesrop Mashtots is a research center founded in 1920 at the meetings of the Echmiadzin Monastery and the world's largest collection of ancient manuscripts. There are about 100,000 archival documents and about 17,000 manuscripts written in Armenian, Hebrew, Russian, Syriac, Latin, Arabic and many other languages.
The institute has a museum consisting of 14 halls. Visitors will get acquainted with the history of medieval sciences, see ancient miniatures, ancient manuscripts, books, maps from different countries and times. To view the exhibitions, it is better to take a tour in one of 9 languages. Ticket price is about 1000 drams.
Attention! The museum is open from Tuesday to Thursday, there is a fee of 2,500 drams for photographing exhibits, and taking pictures with flash is strictly prohibited.
Armenian Genocide Museum
The Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan is part of the Tsitsenrnakaberd complex, a memorial dedicated to the same sad events of the early 20th century. The museum was opened in 1995. It occupies an inconspicuous concrete building with an area of 2000 square meters. m., the first floor of which is completely underground.
Permanent exhibition occupies 4 halls: photographs, demographic tables, books, documents are presented here, which can be used to trace the history of the preparation and implementation of genocide by the Turkish authorities. In 2014, Forbes magazine included the Museum in its list of nine memorial complexes that everyone should visit. Entrance to the territory of Tsitsenrnakaberd is free. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the main cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church in Armenia. Finished with pink tuff, it combines the traditions of both Armenian and Russian architecture.
The building was erected from 1913 to 1916 in the village of Kenakiry specifically for the Cossack army that was stationed here. In 1918, the church was closed, beheaded and a military club was organized within its walls. The shrine reopened in the 90s of the last century, and in 2000 it underwent a complete restoration.
Attention: the temple is open from 09:00 to 18:00, break - from 13:00 to 14:00.
Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator - largest temple Yerevan and the second largest in the entire Transcaucasus. The shrine was erected according to the design of S. Kyurkchyan in 1997, to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the country’s adoption of Christianity. Temple complex includes 2 more churches: St. Tiridates III and St. Queen Ashkhen.
The total area of the facility is 3822 sq. m., and maximum height- 54 m. All buildings were erected in a strict, restrained style using geometric shapes. This is not only a functioning cathedral, but also a repository of artifacts associated with Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of the Armenians.
Inside the Cathedral of St. Gregory in Yerevan
Excursion to the Ararat and Noy cognac factories
It is no secret that excellent quality cognac is produced in Armenia. One of the most famous factories for the production of this drink is ArArAt. Tourists who go to inspect this production will visit tasting rooms, you will see the basement where cognac barrels are stored, if you are lucky, you will examine the storage room with 50-year-old drinks, and also stroll through the cozy courtyard.
Flea market "Vernisage"
The Vernissage market is the most the best place in Yerevan to purchase original gifts. It was formed in the 80s of the 20th century, and is still popular among local residents, travelers and art critics. The fact is that here you can only sell antiques and works of art: paintings, icons, carpets, national souvenirs, semi-precious stones, ancient jewelry, household items, books.
This is a place worth visiting for creative people, collectors, and those who can appreciate exclusive items. “Vernisage” is located near Republic Square, at the intersection of Hanrapetutyan and Byuzand streets.
Important! The morning is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 09:00 to 16:00.
Victory Park and Mother Armenia Monument
In the center of the capital is Akhtanak, or Victory Park. This is a favorite vacation spot for locals. In summer, here you can stroll along the shady alleys, have fun on the attractions and have a snack in the cafe. But in winter there is desolation and sadness here.
The crown of all this hopelessness is the huge abandoned cafe “Aragil” with a gorgeous view of the city.
Built in 1959, the expensive restaurant has become a symbol of Yerevan. Locals they loved to party here on weekends, and foreign guests were always brought here for business lunches with panoramic views:
Today it is a place where the marginalized hang out.
Yerevan is one of ancient capitals in the world, it was founded back in the eighth century BC. The city, surrounded on three sides by mountains, amazes with its beauty. In this article we will talk about the most interesting places and sights of Yerevan and its surroundings.
Yerevan: getting to know the city
The capital and largest city by population of Armenia is located at an altitude of about one thousand meters above sea level. It is the main economic, cultural and scientific center of its country, as well as the most important transport node. Yerevan is served by two airports, from which there are daily flights to different parts of the world.
Yerevan was founded in 782 BC. So he's even a little older" eternal city» Rome. Many travelers claim that this is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Among the many attractions of Yerevan are both ancient buildings and temples, and modern buildings. Past and present, ancient and new are intertwined in this amazing city incredibly cramped.
By the way, the city was greatly transformed during the years of Soviet power. In the middle of the last century, large-scale urban planning work was carried out here under the leadership of talented architects A. I. Tamanyan, E. A. Papyan and M. D. Mazmanyan. In the construction of public and residential buildings in those years, local material was widely used - volcanic tuff of pink or creamy white color, which gave Yerevan a special flavor.
The main attractions of Yerevan: photos and names
This city has enormous tourism potential. Here you can visit various museums and galleries, explore ancient architectural monuments, and enjoy stunning mountain scenery. In the evening, Yerevan turns into a real romantic fairy tale, in which you want to stay forever.
The top 10 most interesting sights of the city of Yerevan include the following objects:
- Garni fortress.
- Republic Square.
- Fountain "Cascade".
- National Museum Armenia.
- Volcano Aragats.
- Erebuni Fortress.
- Surb Church Sargis.
- Monument "Mother Armenia".
- City market.
- Monument to Arno Babajanyan.
Garni Fortress
Architectural complex Garni is one of the main historical attractions in Yerevan. It is located near the eastern outskirts of the capital, within the village of the same name. This is a pagan temple that was built back in the 4th century BC. For almost seven centuries, the Garni fortress served as the residence of Armenian rulers.
The main building of the complex is a grand palace in size and grandeur, with a number of powerful columns along the perimeter. The floor of this building was decorated with mosaics depicting scenes from ancient Greek mythology, which have survived to this day.
Republic Square
Main square Yerevan is located in the very center of the capital. In Soviet times, she bore the name V.I. Lenin. The design of the square was developed by architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1924. But its implementation lasted for more than three decades. The shape of the square is unique and unusual - it combines an oval and a trapezoid. There are five majestic buildings here:
- National Art Gallery.
- Armenian government building.
- The country's main post office.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Energy.
- Marriott Armenia Hotel.
Absolutely all the structures on the square were made of basalt and tuff in white and pink shades. Near the building National Gallery There are so-called singing fountains, which change their color in the evening.
Mother Armenia Monument
The monument was erected in the 60s in honor of the victory of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War. Its total height is 54 meters, of which 22 meters is the height of the sculpture itself. The statue is represented in the form of a woman (mother) holding a heavy sword in her hands. There is also a round shield at her feet. The monument has extremely strict features and symbolizes the greatness and power of the homeland.
It is curious that the pedestal of this monument is somewhat older than the statue itself. Initially, there was a monument to Joseph Stalin on it.
Volcano Aragats
There are also plenty of attractions in the vicinity of Yerevan (in particular, natural ones). One of them is the Aragats volcano, located 30 kilometers northwest of the capital.
Peak Aragats is highest point Armenia (4095 meters). The massif itself consists of four separate rocky peaks that surround a crater 400 meters deep. Today it is filled with snow and ice that does not melt even in the hottest months of the year. Many Armenian folk legends are associated with the mountain. According to one of them, Saint Gregory the Illuminator ascended to the top of Aragats. At the same time, the “unquenchable lamp” hanging in the sky showed him the way. According to legend, it still shines today, but only dedicated people can see its light.
City market
It is very difficult to leave Yerevan without visiting the main market of the capital. It is located near Republic Square, in a building built in 1952. By the way, the building of the covered market itself is an architectural monument. This is perhaps the most famous work architect Grigor Aghababyan.
The Central Indoor Market is the main site of shopping tourism in Yerevan. Here you can make many interesting and tasty purchases. Therefore, for many travelers, a tour of the Armenian capital ends with a visit to this particular city attraction.
When going to a particular country, you should familiarize yourself with its cultural, religious and other features in order to avoid unnecessary problems out of the blue. So, what can and cannot be done as a tourist in Yerevan? The following tips will help you prepare more thoroughly for your trip to the Armenian capital:
- Armenia is predominantly a mountainous country, so summer time year, during the day it is quite hot here, but at night it is noticeably cool. In addition, the local air is very dry, which also creates some difficulties.
- Be prepared for slightly higher prices for tourists. Fortunately, this practice occurs only in some shops and taxis.
- In cafes and restaurants in Yerevan, it is customary to leave a tip of 5-10% of the order amount.
- The best way to get around the city is by metro - it’s both cheap and as convenient as possible.
- In Yerevan, not all residential buildings are connected to heating. There are also interruptions in the water supply.
- When buying local carpets as a souvenir in the capital of Armenia, you must keep the receipt, otherwise problems may arise at the border when leaving the country.