The Armenian capital sometimes looks like a city of eternal celebration. Throughout the three summer months, Yerevan residents stroll along green city boulevards in the midst of fashionable boutiques and bars, occasionally peeking into cafeterias for a refreshing cocktail. Yerevan is the calmest and unhurried capital of the Caucasus region. It is not a pity to allocate at least a day or two of your vacation to Yerevan.
In the central part of the city, there are several charming old buildings, green parks, and beautiful squares with cobblestone pavements. Beyond the city limits, mountains with steep slopes and deep gorges are spread. It may take several days to visit the museums and monuments of Yerevan, but the most important thing in the capital of Armenia is people. So, let’s find out historical places in Yerevan and make a virtual culture trip.
Hospitable sunny Yerevan is always waiting for its guests and is always ready to show them everything interesting, fascinating and entertaining. The Pink City, as it is also called because of buildings built of stone of volcanic origin (tuff), which has a pinkish tint, is the oldest in the world, founded before Rome.
There are many tourists who visit the main historical places in Yerevan especially in the summer. Familiarization with the city can begin with the Grand Cascade, an unusual architectural complex resembling a magnificent pyramid. The Grand Cascade is a large-scale staircase made of tuff, connecting the city center with residential areas located high in the mountains.
Cascade is decorated with beautiful sculptures, fountains and flower beds. In the evening, thanks to the magnificent illumination, Cascade is visible from afar, lit almost all night with bright lights.
If you climb to the very top of the Cascade staircase, from the observation deck you will enjoy fabulous panoramas of the city and the symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat.
Abovyan Street begins from the Republic Square, the only one that was not affected during the reconstruction of old Yerevan, so there were preserved pre-revolutionary buildings that are always interesting to the city guests.
Matenadaran (built in 1959 by architect Mark Grigoryan) 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) in various languages.
In the Yerevan park of Hakhtanak, a favorite place of Yerevan residents, a statue of Mother Armenia (Mayr Hayastan) is erected, which is made in hammered copper and symbolizes greatness and power. This is a mother-woman sheathing a sword, and a shield lies at her feet. The Mother Armenia statue reminds Armenian women, who took up arms to help their husbands with Turkish troops and Kurdish irregulars.
At the base of the monument is a museum of the Ministry of Defense, which presents to visitors items from the Great Patriotic and Karabakh Wars (documents, personal items, portraits of heroes, weapons).
You should definitely visit Erebuni Tample where the capital of today's Armenia was born 2800 years ago to get an idea of the ancient Armenian cities. Lovers of antiquity will be delighted!
The ruins of the ancient city of the state of Urartu - Erebuni up to 5-4 centuries BC, even after the fall of the state of Urartu, which retained its power and independence, are located in the south-east of Yerevan, on its very outskirts.
On a small area of about 100 hectares on Arin-Berd hill, there are the remains of a citadel and ancient city buildings made of mud brick. The well-preserved walls of the citadel 3-4 m high (the height of the walls in that era reached 12 m) outline the general plan of the fortress with an open palace, temples, and ceremonial halls.
The monument contains a lot of unsolved secrets and mysteries, which can largely complement the history of the city of Erebuni. The monument contains a lot of unsolved secrets and mysteries, which can largely complement the history of the city of Erebuni.
Yerevan is famous for its oldest churches. The largest Armenian cathedral in the city is St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral (1997-2001), built in honor of the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of the state religion - Christianity in Armenia. Here are kept relics imported from Naples related to Gregory the Illuminator.
From the Victory Bridge in Yerevan, which is thrown across the Hrazdan Gorge, one of the main shrines of Armenia is clearly visible - Surb Sarkis church, erected in honor of the beloved Armenian saint - the patron saint of lovers.
The temple bears the name of the commander, who served at the court of Constantine the Great in the province of Cappadocia in 3-4 centuries BC. The commander-in-chief died for the Christian faith along with 14 soldiers and his son. Sarkis was not only a brilliant strategist, but also a preacher: he built churches on the site of pagan temples, and with his fiery speeches and fortitude converted pagan warriors to Christianity.
Once in Yerevan, at the place where the Church of the Holy Mother of God Katogike is located, there was a temple with a chapel dedicated to the Virgin. During the restoration of the building after the earthquake of 1679, fragments of masonry of 13th-century sacristies with inscriptions were found here: they can be seen indoors. The temple is small and modest in design: rather, it is a chapel for holding chamber prayers. People believe that this place brings good luck, so tourists visit the church and leave coins in the crevices of the masonry.
In the State Museum of the History of Armenia (1921) on Republic Square, you can get acquainted with the history of Armenia. The State Picture Gallery also operates on Republic Square.
In the Museum of History of Yerevan (1931), you can get acquainted with books, household items, national costumes, paintings and precious jewelry, photographs, military awards, and banners.
Near the Yerevan station in David Sassoon Square, there is a monument to David Sassoon - a hero of a medieval epic. Statue tells about the struggle of the heroes from Sassoon against the Arab invaders.
Admirers of music and cinema will be curious to visit the house-museum of the outstanding contemporary director Sergei Parajanov and the house-museum of the brilliant contemporary composer Aram Khachaturian.
Fans of classical music can watch a performance at the Opera and Ballet Theater in the center of Yerevan, designed for 1400 spectators. Near the theater, there is a picturesque Swan Lake and a beautiful park where you can take a walk after watching the performance.
At the Vernissage market of Yerevan, you can buy everything from a tiny souvenir pomegranate to a huge carpet. This is an ideal place to experience Armenian flavor, to see a mixture of eras, to chat with unique people.
Those who love antiquity will appreciate artifacts similar to ancient archaeological finds. Fans of extravagance will like the bright products of local craftsmen made of leather, fur, wood, metals, semiprecious stones.
There is a zoo, a botanical garden and a water park “Yerevan Water World” in Yerevan, which is also very interesting to visit.
Yerevan is a charming ancient city with its wonderful past; it doesn’t cease to win the hearts of its guests with unique cultural, architectural and historical sights. Therefore, make a culture trip to Yerevan with Gardman Tour!