Armenia yerevan attractions top 10. Sights of Yerevan

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Yerevan is known as one of the oldest cities in the world. A huge number of legends and tales are associated with this place, thanks to which Yerevan has acquired many striking sights. Therefore, when traveling here, you should pay attention to the most famous objects, but before that, it is best to find out important information about them.

History and useful information about Yerevan

On the Ararat plain, in the north-east of Armenia, the country's capital, Yerevan, is located. This city was founded around 782 BC. e. and was originally a fortified city of Erebuni, which was formed thanks to the king of Urartu Argishti I. To found the fortress, the king brought here more than 6,600 prisoners from the western regions - Tsupani and Khati. The appearance of the city was recorded on a special tablet, which is now kept in the Erebuni Museum.

Information about the foundation of Yerevan is imprinted on a special tablet

Now the city is divided into 12 districts, covers an area of 223.28 km 2 and about 1,075,100 people live here. A large number of travelers come to Yerevan every year. They are attracted not only by the rich history of this place, but also by the original culture, the opportunity to immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of the East, see pink stone buildings and much more. At the same time, progress did not bypass the capital of Armenia. Tourists will be comfortable moving around the city on different modes of transport, staying in modern hotels, having lunch in cozy restaurants.

How to get to the capital of Armenia

There are several ways to get to Yerevan, and the most convenient one is easy to choose, taking into account the point of departure:

planes depart from Moscow airports to Yerevan Zvartnots airport. It is located 12 km from the city. From here to the capital run fixed-route taxis No. 107, 108, bus No. 201;

buses travel from Moscow (from Ploshchad Ilyicha, Domodedovskaya and Yugo-Zapadnaya metro stations) to Yerevan through Georgia, and therefore you can also get to the capital of Armenia from Tbilisi;

By car, you can get to the territory of Armenia through Iran or Georgia, since the Turkish and Azerbaijani borders are closed.

Traveling to the capital of Armenia will not be exciting without visiting at least a few sights of this city, because there is not only a rich cultural heritage, but also bright modern objects. Some attractions are simply unique and have no analogues in the world.

Architectural and historical

The centuries-old history of the city leaves its mark on the architectural appearance of the capital of Armenia. It is here that you can see the grandiose, graceful and unusual buildings, created many centuries ago, as well as modern creations:

"Mother Armenia" is a majestic monument symbolizing the victory of the Soviet Union in the Second World War in Yerevan. In 1950, a pedestal appeared on a hill in Haghtanak Park, and in 1967 a monument was erected on the base. It is noteworthy that this object is located on the main axis of the main street of the city - Mesrop Mashtots Avenue. Ara Harutyunyan became the author of the sculpture, and he made a girl named Yevgenia Muradyan, whom he accidentally met in a store and asked to pose for this project, as the prototype for “Mother of Armenia”. The pedestal of the monument houses a museum dedicated to the Great Patriotic War;

The monument is at the top of the hill.

The Grand Cascade is a monumental architectural complex in the capital of Armenia. Five outdoor terraces are arranged in a cascade, founded in 1980 and decorated in the Art Deco style. The master plan for this structure was developed back in 1924, but the platform for steps, waterfalls and flower beds was prepared only in the 1960s. In 1980, construction began, which had to be suspended due to the collapse of the USSR, the war and other events. The construction was finally completed in 2002 at the initiative of patron Gerard Cafesjian. The Cascade starts from Tamanyan Street. The picturesqueness of this place is given by numerous flower beds, and the monumentality of the building is worthy of the attention of guests of the city;

The site next to the Cascade is distinguished by a huge number of flower beds

the largest Armenian religious complex is the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator. In Transcaucasia, it ranks second in size after the Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi. The construction of the Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator was completed in 2001 and marked the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity by Armenia. This complex is distinguished by its area, which is 3,822 m 2 . It is located in the Pokr-Kentron quarter;

Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is the largest in Armenia

The Blue Mosque will interest not only believers, but also those who appreciate art in architecture. In 1764-1768, the construction of a large complex of temples was carried out by Huseynali Khan Qajar, who was the Khan of the Erivan Khanate. In the Soviet years, a museum, a planetarium and other institutions were located here, but now the mosque has been restored and surprises with its beauty. Library, 28 pavilions, main hall, courtyard are included in this Cultural Center the Iranian community in Yerevan, located on Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, 12;

The Blue Mosque houses the cultural center of the Iranian community

You can see the ruins of the ancient city of Erebuni on the Arin-Berd hill in Yerevan. The first mention of this settlement in the state of Urartu dates back to 780 BC. e., and in 595 BC. e. the city was destroyed. The American magazine Forbes included Erebuni in the top 9 most ancient fortresses in the world. Here you can see the monumental wall paintings, which are well preserved due to the fact that there were no battles in the city. At the foot of the northwestern part of the hill is the Erebuni Museum (Erebuni St., 38), and you can check the schedule of its work on the website;

The ancient city of Erebuni is located on a hill

Guests of Yerevan are impressed by the statue of Hayk, located in the Nor-Nork district near Gay Avenue. The monument depicts the progenitor of the people of Armenia - Hayk Nahapet. In 1997, the image of this mythical hero could be seen on postage stamps with a face value of 170 drams. The statue was originally placed near the Moscow cinema in 1970, and five years later it was moved to Nor-Nork. The height of the monument reaches 3.5 m;

Hayk is considered the progenitor of the Armenian people and is the hero of many legends.

on the Republic Square is one of the majestic objects of the city - the building of the country's government. The construction of basalt and tuff was founded in 1926 and completed until 1952. Big clock decorate main tower with arch. Now the government of the country is located here, and some rooms are used for exhibitions;

The government building is distinguished by its bright architecture and is located on Republic Square

sculpture "Backgammon Player" - an original composition, located near the Yerevan Drama Theater after Hrachya Ghaplanyan on Gevorg Kochar Street. The initiative to place such a monument arose among students studying at the production course "Courage" when the leader R. Jaghinyan proposed to bring to life unusual projects of monuments. This resulted in the 2007 Backgammon Player, which was covered in a box resembling a die before opening;

Sculpture "Backgammon Player" is made of bronze

The monument to the Karabakh woman was created by the sculptor David Yerevantsi. The master took the image of the singer and dancer Arev Baghdasaryan as a basis and made a monument in 1985, but the Soviet authorities were against its installation. It was possible to place the monument only in 1988 after the beginning of the Karabakh movement. An interesting bronze sculpture with an original design, and it is located next to the Armenian Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. A. Spendiarov at the address Tumanyan street, house 54;

The monument to the Karabakh woman is made of bronze and is located near the theater

the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex is a tragic landmark dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. It is located on Tsitsernakaberd hill and was founded in 1967. The main object is a stele reaching 44 meters in height and symbolizing the will to revive the people of Armenia. It is the stele that reflects the split in the Armenian people, some of which live in the country, and the other - in communities outside of Armenia. There is also an underground museum here. In 2014, Forbes included this complex in the list of 9 memorial museums worth visiting for everyone;

"Tsitsernakaberd" is located on the hill of the same name

Cultural sights of Yerevan

When traveling to the capital of Armenia, you should definitely visit at least one museum. This is due to the fact that it is in such places that rich collections of historical artifacts characterizing the culture of the country are collected. And no less interesting are theaters and other places where you can enjoy oriental flavor and a varied cultural program.

The following places are popular in Yerevan:

Cafesjian Art Center is one of the largest art museums in the capital of Armenia. It was founded by businessman Gerard Levon Cafesjian, who based his personal collection of works of art. This museum is located in the Cascade complex, which allows you to visit two interesting places at once at the address: Tamanyan Street, 10. Visitors will see the works of Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol and other famous artists. The exact opening hours are listed on the museum's website;

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is a major art museum

the main museum of fine arts, namely the National Art Gallery of Armenia, should be given special attention, because this institution is one of the largest in the CIS. Founded in 1921, the gallery is part of the Museum Complex and is located on Republic Square. Russian art, works of Italian and French masters, creations of artists from Holland and Spain, and much more are presented on the 3rd - 8th floors of the building. The exhibits of the National Historical Museum of Armenia are placed on the first two floors. This allows you to see archaeological and artistic works in one visit. Full information it is easy to find out about the museum on the website;

Thousands of exhibits in the art gallery

Matenadaran is the Institute named after St. Mesrop Mashtots, which is a research center and one of the outstanding repositories of ancient manuscripts in the world. A museum is opened here, which is visited annually by more than 50,000 people. The center was founded in 1920, and the manuscripts of the Etchmiadzin Monastery served as the basis. The oldest exhibits date back to the 5th century, and the total number of items reaches 17,000. You can take a look at the old scrolls in the museum, which is open to visitors at the address: Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, 53. Detailed information is available on the museum website;

"Matenadaran" in Armenian means "repository of manuscripts"

The Armenian Opera and Ballet Theater named after A. A. Spendiarov is a great place to get acquainted with the culture of the country. In 1933, the premiere took place here - the opera "Almast", and the composer was A. A. Spendiarov. Initially, the theater did not have its own building, it was built only in 1940. The title of academic was awarded to the institution in 1957. Now it is located on Tumanyan street, house 54;

The Opera and Ballet Theater in Yerevan is located in a building built in 1940

The Charles Aznavour Museum is one of the highlights of the city. It is located in the upper part of the "Cascade" and occupies a five-story building. This cultural and educational center was opened in 2011, and French singer Charles Aznavour, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Armenian President took part in the ceremony. The museum presents to the attention of visitors books, CDs, posters, awards and much more related to the life and work of the singer. Concert hall under open sky - main feature this place. Here is the residence of S. Aznavour in Armenia.

The museum provides information about the life and work of Charles Aznavour

Places for rest and walks

The warm climate and beautiful landscapes of Armenia invariably attract tourists every year. When visiting the capital, which is surrounded by majestic hills, you should pay attention to such places for walking as:

The English park is one of the favorite places of rest for both the residents of the city and the guests of the capital of Armenia. There is not only a lot of bright greenery and well-groomed alleys with fountains, but also playgrounds for playing chess, the Armenian theater named after Sundukyan, the Congress Hotel, a large number of places for photographing. Therefore, the park, founded back in 1860, is a favorite place for wedding events, and it is located in the Kentron district, southwest of Republic Square, on Italian Street. The park has free admission;

Weddings often take place in the English Park

Victory Park is another of the well-groomed recreation areas for citizens and travelers. Work on the creation began in the 1930s and it was originally planned to call this place "City Park in Arabkir", but after the end of the war the name was changed to Victory Park. It is here that the grandiose sculpture “Mother Armenia” is located, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Alley of Heroes, a lake with boat and catamaran rentals, a hotel at Azatutyan Avenue, 2/2;

In the Victory Park there are rides and cafes for a comfortable stay.

Ring Boulevard is also called the Youth Park. It covers an area of 30 hectares and is located in the Kentron area. The park was included in the master plan for the development of Yerevan in 1924, but was only partially implemented. At the same time, the place is picturesque, there are monuments to such famous figures as the poet Avetik Isahakyan, the revolutionary and writer Mikael Nalbandyan. Near the northern part of the park is the exit of the Yeritasardakan metro station.

Youth Park or Ring Boulevard is known for a large number of sculptures and monuments.

When is the best time to go to Yerevan

Armenia is especially popular for tourism in summer, when there are many sunny and hot days. The air warms up to +25…+30 °C on average, and the wind is minimal. Such weather is unfavorable for long hikes and walks, which are best done in the evening. At the same time, you can stroll through one of the city's parks or visit the Vernissage flea market. It is located between st. Arama and st. Buzand. Carpets, coins, handmade figurines and much more, connoisseurs of antiques and just lovers of souvenirs prefer to buy here at affordable prices.

In the market you can profitably buy unique handmade products

At the beginning of autumn, it is still warm in the capital of Armenia, but there is no longer a debilitating heat. This allows you to make a fascinating excursion to the monastery of Khor Virap, located near Mount Ararat, which appears in biblical stories. According to legend, it was on this peak that Noah and the ark ended up after the Flood. The monastery is known not only for legends, but also for its rich history, because it was founded in the 7th century. It is also interesting that the buildings are located above the underground dungeons, which, according to legend, for 15 years served as the place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator by the Armenian king Trdat III. The temple complex is located 40 km from the Armenian capital near the Turkish border.

Khor Virap is known for its underground dungeons and centuries of history.

In winter, before the New Year holidays in Yerevan, Republic Square is especially attractive for guests and residents of the city, because the main Christmas tree of the country is placed here. In addition to walking along the central streets, travelers should take a fascinating tour of museums. One of the interesting places is the museum of director Sergei Parajanov, who created such unique films as The Color of Pomegranate and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. The museum is located in a two-story building near the gorge on the street. Dzoragyugh, 15/16. On the site you can find the necessary information. Collages, film discs, photographs and much more give an idea of the life and work of the director, who brought a lot of new things to the world of cinema.

The Sergei Parajanov Museum presents to the attention of visitors many exhibits related to the work of the director

In the spring, gardens bloom in Armenia, it becomes much warmer and guests of the city have the opportunity for long walks and excursions. On one of these trips, it is worth taking a walk in the Park of Lovers, located on Baghramyan Avenue. It was founded in the 18th century, but it was completely renovated in 2008 at the expense of the philanthropist A. Poghosyan's fund. Initially, this place had the name "Kozern's Garden". In spring and summer, it is very lively here, as various festivals, outdoor film screenings, celebrations and exhibitions are held. Near the northwestern entrance to the park is the Marshal Baghramyan metro station.

The Park of Lovers often hosts festive events and exhibitions.

You can visit the capital of Armenia at any time of the year, but it is worth considering that in late autumn and winter, outdoor excursions are overshadowed by rain and cool weather. Before the trip, it is best to get acquainted with the weather forecast in Yerevan, and then plan a vacation plan.

Vacation with children

The Armenian city has attractions for every taste, but the places where you can relax and have fun with children are especially noteworthy:

Yerevan Zoo has been operating for over 70 years since it was founded in 1941. Here you can see more than 204 species of animals, comfortably relax for adults and children. There is a tragic story associated with this place. In 1991, a Mi-8 helicopter crashed into the zoo, colliding with power lines in the air. This led to the death of three crew members, but no one on the ground was injured. The zoo is also known for more funny stories. For example, in 1970, the staff of the institution raised a big commotion, trying to return the elephant Vova to the enclosure, which, for unknown reasons, was outside the fence. Clarify contact details for visiting this place family vacation it is possible on the website;

There are over 204 animal species in Yerevan Zoo

Water world water park is the most popular vacation spot during the hot season. It was opened in 2001 and since then has not lost its relevance for family pastime, and it is located on Myasnikyan Avenue, 40. VIP pool, large and small pools, water slides of various configurations, massage, spa area, beach volleyball, several cafes with different cuisines and much more will not leave anyone indifferent. The water park is open daily 8:00-22:00;

The Water world water park has a huge amount of entertainment

Play City is an entertainment center where you can play paintball, mini-golf, bowling, shoot at the shooting range or visit the autodrome. For the little ones there is an area with a variety of rides and slides. Visitors can have a good meal in the cafe. All recreation and games areas are brightly decorated, which cannot but appeal to children. Finding this wonderful place is easy at st. Hrachya Acharyan, 35, and the site contains information about the schedule of the center.

Play City is popular for holidays in any season

Features of excursions in Yerevan

A stay in the capital of Armenia cannot be complete without visiting the main place in the city - Republic Square. It is worth paying attention to this attraction even during a day trip. In addition to the government building, you can see singing fountains here. This color-musical construction was the first in the USSR and was created by A. Abrahamyan in the 1950s. You can admire an unusual and bewitching spectacle in the form of a combination of music, water and colored rays from May to September from 22:00 to 0:00. During your 2-3 days stay in Yerevan, you can truly appreciate the culture of this country. To do this, be sure to include a visit to the Dalan Art Gallery in the tour plan. It is here that the unique works of masters of the post-Soviet space and Armenian artists are presented. Pictures, dishes and handmade figurines, spectacular compositions will surprise visitors with their brightness and originality. There is also a souvenir shop and a cafe, which allows you to slowly explore the exposition. The gallery is located on the street. Abovyan, 14.

In the gallery you can not only see the exhibits, but also visit the cafe

The Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex is also a popular attraction. There are two halls: sports and concert. The complex was founded in 1983 and can accommodate about 12,000 people. This center is named after speaker Karen Demirchyan, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the Armenian parliament in 1999. The complex served as a venue for various major competitions, for example, in 1996 the 32nd Chess Olympiad was held here, and in 2011 the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was held. The address of this place: Leningradyan street, 1.

The sports complex has two large halls

For a week of rest in Yerevan, you should have time to visit the carpet factory and the Megerian Carpet Museum. This will help you feel the colors of Armenia and learn the secrets of making bright patterns on carpets. The factory was founded in 1917 by the Megerian family, who have been producing carpets for many generations. The plant in the capital of the country was opened in the 1990s and is still operating today. The museum displays more than 50 rare carpets. It is located on st. Madoyan, 9. You can find out more information about the work of the museum on the website.

The museum at the carpet factory presents rare products

Worthy of attention of travelers is the legendary Yerevan brandy factory "ArArAt", which is the country's leading enterprise in the field of production. alcoholic beverages. In 1887 the plant was founded by the merchant Nerses Tairyants. In 1900 the factory was bought by Nikolay Shustov. Now various types of skate are produced here, the exposure of which ranges from 3 to 25 years. At the same time, the plant has stocks of elite products aged from 30 to 50 years. Cognac of this manufacturer supplies to 25 countries around the world, and the factory has about 115 gold awards, 48 silver and 8 bronze. There is also a museum, the exhibits of which characterize the history of production. The plant is located on Ave. Admiral Isakov, 2 and has a website with detailed information.

Yerevan brandy factory "ArArAt" is considered one of the symbols of Armenia

What you need to know when traveling to Yerevan

Armenia has its own cultural traditions and rules of conduct. Before the trip, it will not be superfluous for tourists to familiarize themselves with the important features of their stay in Yerevan:

the main attractions are located in the central part of the city and it is best to walk here;

the metro can be used from 6:30 to 23:00 hours;

the cost of a taxi ride should be negotiated in advance, and renting a taxi for the whole day will cost about 2 US dollars;

if a carpet is purchased as a souvenir, then the label of the product and the receipt for purchases should be kept. Antiques can only be exported with a special certificate;

it is best to make purchases in the markets only for the local currency - the Armenian dram;

There are several large parks in the city center.

What to see in Armenia in one or two weeks or a long weekend (3-4 days).

Logical travel routes by day, a list of the main sights of Armenia with photos, descriptions and coordinates of each city, monastery, natural wonder

Routes in Armenia

When planning a holiday in Armenia, consider (a) the season, (b) the availability of a car, (c) the number of days.

From April to October, all must sees are available, from November to March, due to snow in the mountains, you will have to cross something out.

Route 1. Day trips from Yerevan

You arrived in Yerevan for 3-4 days, do you want to quickly see the city and its surroundings? Rent accommodation in Yerevan and ride around the sights of Armenia in one day, returning to the capital in the evening.

By taxi, car or excursion from Yerevan, you will have time to see several places in one day.

On minibuses, too, really, just longer. Monasteries and view points away from the highway, minibuses do not reach them. You still have to take a taxi.

Day 1. watching Yerevan

Day 2 West: Zvartnots temple (15 km), Holy Etchmiadzin (20 km)
East: Garni pagan temple (30 km), Stone Symphony, Geghard monastery (40 km)

Day 3 South: Khor Virap (40 km) and Noravank (120 km) monasteries

Day 4 Northeast: ski resort Tsaghkadzor (60 km) and Lake Sevan (70 km)

Route 2. TOP-10 of Armenia at a gallop

You are in a car/taxi and are ready for a long journey – you will have time to see the center and south of Armenia. Route for hardy adult travelers. It's better to spread it out over a week. 4 days is real, but too intense.

Day 1. Watch Yerevan, spend the night

Day 2 270 km, 5 hours driving. Early departure from Yerevan. Monasteries Khor Virap and Noravank, wine in Areni. Karahunj (stone forest of Goris), overnight at Harsnadzor barrel hotel

Day 3 300 km, 7 hours driving. It's unlikely that you will have time, look at the priorities. Ropeway "Wings of Tatev", Tatev Monastery, Khndzoresk suspension bridge and cave city.

Further on the situation. Options:
a) we return to Yerevan, we spend the night there. 250 km, 5h by car
b) we go to Jermuk to the Mermaid's Hair waterfall, spend the night. 130 km, 3 hours by car on serpentines
c) for the hardy: through the mountains to Lake Sevan through the Selim pass. 260-280 km, 5h+ driving. Detailed route below, only possible from April to October. We will spend the night in Sevan or Dilijan.

Day 4 On the way from Lake Sevan we stop at the pagan temple of Garni, at the Basalt stones and the temple of Geghard in the rock. We return to Yerevan in the afternoon, rent a car, fly home.

If you are particularly interested in a particular day, click on it to view the photo and find out the details.

Day 2 or 3. Surroundings of Yerevan

Yerevan - Zvartnots - Etchmiadzin - Garni - Geghard - Overnight in Yerevan
Yerevan- Zvartnots Echmiadzin- Garni- Geghar d

▫ Temple of Zvartnots, 15 km– The “Temple of the Vigilant Angels”, the most unusual of the oldest temples in Armenia, is on the UNESCO list. Entrance 1300 AMD (2.7$/170r)

Coordinates: 40.161230, 44.336346
Tue-Sat: 10.00-17.00, Sun: 10.00-15.00
Day off: Monday

▫ Holy Etchmiadzin, 20 km- the main Council in the Armenian Apostolic Church. One of the oldest spiritual centers in the country, the Armenian analogue of the Vatican.

Located in the city of Vagharshapat. In 2-3 hours you can visit by minibus and return to Yerevan.

Coordinates: 40.161941, 44.291140
the main temple is open 7.00-21.00

▫ Garni (30 km)- pagan temple Built in the 1st century AD, restored during the union. In the village of Garni for a long time there was a summer residence of the kings. Entrance 1500 drams (3$ / 200r), parking 200d.

Near Garni, see the Stone Symphony ("Basalt Organ").

The pagan temple of Garni

▫ Geghard (40 km)– the monastery, as it were, grows out of the rock, merges with the surrounding landscapes. The temple has a sacred spring with healing water. At the foot they sell delicious pies stuffed with honey.

On the minibus, plan 3-4 hours, you have to walk 6 km from the bus stop or take a taxi. Faster and more convenient by car from Yerevan Garni + Geghard (they are nearby).

Day 4. We go to the south of Armenia

Yerevan - Khor Virap - wine in Areni - Noravank - Jermuk
Yerevan- Khor Virap- Areni- Noravank- Jermuk

▫ Khor Virap Monastery (40 km) with a panorama of Mount Ararat is the most visited attraction in the vicinity of Yerevan. From the walls of the monastery you can see the border with Turkey.

Look for a bus to Pokr Vedi or Artashat. Then from the stop you have to walk to the monastery for 1 km.

gps: 39.878374, 44.576059

Khor Virap Monastery overlooking Ararat

🍷 Areni- a village 12 km from Yeghegnazdor. There are caves and a church. Famous for local wine, there are a couple of wineries. They offer to taste or buy ordinary and fruit wine, cognac, chacha.

▫ Noravank Monastery, 120 km from Yerevan and 80 km from Khor Virap. Noravank in the red canyon and the cave of swallows is one of the brightest places in Armenia, and not so much the monastery itself, but the road leading to it and the views.

Noravank is off the main road, before reaching the town of Yeghegnadzor. We turn off the road to the right and drive along good asphalt through the mountains for 8 km. Detail

Noravank monastery in the red canyon

Jermuk- a high-mountain resort, was popular in Soviet times. They even built their own airport (does not work).

There are several sanatoriums, a mineral water gallery, a park and a lake.

Jermuk is divided into two parts by a high canyon and, in addition to mineral water, is famous for its Mermaid Hair waterfall.

Overnight stay in Vayk, Yeghegnadzor or Jermuk - in the low season, the best 5 * Hyatt Place Jermuk in the city costs only $50.

Day 5-6. Southeast of Armenia

Jermuk - Gndevank - Shaki - Karahunj - Ropeway - Tatev - Satan's Bridge - Goris - Khndzoresk
Jermuk - Gndevank - Shaki - Karahunj - Tatev - Devil's Bridge - Goris - Khndzoresk

Overnight stay in Goris, Halidzor or Tatev. From unusual housing, the Harsnadzor barrel hotel near Halidzor (it's cold in barrels in winter!).

The sights described below are best viewed from 2 days. For one day only by car at a gallop, and in the summer, when the roads are dry. Or miss something

▫ Monastery Gndevank, one of the oldest in Armenia, stands at the bottom of the canyon in the Vayots gorge, and not at the top, like other churches. In Jermuk they offer bus tours to the Gndevank monastery, gps: 39.759125, 45.610763

Monastery Gndevank

▫ Shaki waterfall near Sisian is used to generate electricity. Turn on by prior arrangement only when there are tourists, gps: 39.552528, 45.993874

▫ Karahunj(Zorats-Karer), it is also called “The Stone Forest of Goris” or the Armenian Stowhenge, gps: 39.552011, 46.028759

According to different versions, there was an ancient observatory, a cemetery, a corral for cattle. Place of power.

223 basalt stones stand in a certain order on a mountain plateau at an altitude of 1770m above the sea. The height of the stones is from one and a half to 2.8 meters.

It is located 3 km north of Sisian. Drive on dirt road. story about

▫ Cableway and Tatev Monastery, 250 km from Yerevan — the longest cable car in Europe, called "Wings of Tatev" in honor of the monastery to which it leads, gps: 39.417165, 46.297744

Start of the cable car near the village of Halidzor. One way price - 3000 AMD, two ways 5000 AMD($10 / 670r), children (up to 110 cm) - 100 AMD

The last departure from Halidzor is at 17.30, after 16.30 two-way tickets are not sold. Day off: Monday

We park the car in the parking lot in Halidzor, go to the Tatev Monastery on the cable car, look and return for the car.

You can also go to the bridge of Satan under the cable car. You need to make a circle and go down to the bridge of Satan by car or on foot (it takes about 4 hours on foot). Bathe in mineral springs under the bridge.

▫ Goris(240 km from Yerevan) is a relatively large city in the south of Armenia. There are many guest houses, a bank and several cafes.

In Goris, visiting the cave cities (huge holes in the rocks, where people lived 50-60 years ago). Now some caves are used as warehouses.

There are cave cities not only in Goris, but also in several villages to the east of the city.

The city of Goris is also pink

▫ Khndzoresk, aka Khndzoresk - watch the cave city and the suspension bridge across the abyss at a height of 60 meters from the ground. Built several years ago, gps: 39.500886, 46.432545

We did not reach the suspension bridge, because the road turned into a mess. Afraid to get stuck. Asphalt is not laid there. In summer, when the road is dry, it should be approx.

Suspension bridge in Khndzoresk

Day 7. Selim Pass and Lake Sevan

Selim - Caravanserai - Noratus - Hayravank - Sevanavank - Tsaghkadzor - Dilijan
Vardenyats Pass- Orbelian Caravansarai- Noratus- Hayravank- Sevanavank- Dilijan

If we leave Goris or Tatev in the morning, we manage to do the following:

▫ Selim pass, also known as Vardenyats Pass - a direct road to Lake Sevan from the south of Armenia. You need to get to Yeghegnadzor and go north along M10. The road is good, but mountains + altitude = snow from November to March.

At the end of March, everything was clean until the first break. We got stuck at the pass when we missed the oncoming lane. Then the porridge started. When there is snow, it is better not to drive a passenger car. The views are very beautiful, in the summer it should be cool.

Armenians save the car

▫ Selim caravanserai, on the map in Google it is called Orbelian Caravansarai - caravans stopped here when they walked along the Silk Road from Persia to Asia and to the Black Sea. GPS: 39.949811, 45.235895

The caravanserai was covered with snow, snowdrifts of 2 meters

▫ Noratus(Noratus) near the city of Gavar - a cemetery of khachkars near Lake Sevan, gps: 40.375512, 45.182528

Khachkar cemetery Noratus

▫ Hayravank Monastery over Sevan near Gavar - few people reach it, but the view of Lake Sevan from its walls is more picturesque. The monastery itself is rough, small. I liked. GPS: 40.433796, 45.108266

Hayravank monastery above Sevan

▫ Sevanavank. Sevan peninsula and Sevanavank monastery is the most touristic place on Lake Sevan. The church stands on a hill, you need to climb the steep steps for a couple of minutes. GPS: 40.564105, 45.010679

Sevanavank Monastery on the Sevan Peninsula

▫ Sevan whitefish and crayfish. If you want to eat whitefish (local) or crayfish in Sevan, go to Collette restaurant overlooking the lake. Tasty and inexpensive. Fish shish kebab – 1500 AMD/portion. Also an Armenian advised.

The restaurant stands on the highway if you drive from Sevanavank towards Dilijan along the M4. You need to drive from the monastery literally 3 km along the lake

Restaurant Collette is a two-storey green building on the shore of Sevan

▫ Tsaghkadzor– a ski resort 30 km from Lake Sevan. Season until mid-March

Overnight stay in Sevan, Tsaghkadzor or Dilijan (for example, in the forest on the mountain in the traditional Armenian house Ecokayan Dilijan Resort )

Sevan - the Armenian sea

Day 8. Dilijan and surroundings

Dilijan - Goshavank - Haghartsin - Lermontovo (Fioletovo)

The north of Armenia is also beautiful, I even made a travel itinerary for that region, but it didn’t work out.

We went in March, the weather was cloudy, we had time to get fed up with monasteries, the bald mountains were no longer so admired, so the surroundings of Dilijan and Alaverdi were left for the next time. It is better to go there in the summer or at least when the sun is shining.

Sights of the north of Armenia:

Dilijan– sightseeing of the city, you can walk in the mountains on foot (there are eco-paths)
Haghartsin monastery in the forest
Goshavank monastery
Russian villages of Old Believers Fioletovo and Lermontovo
Monastery Makaravank

Monument to the heroes of the film "Mimino" in sunny Dilijan

Day 9. Lori region

I traveled by bus on that road 3 times. Indescribable beauty. The road is ok when compared with the highway to Tatev. Near Alaverdi you can see:

Haghpat Monastery and to the north of it - Akhtala(beautiful frescoes), to the south - Sanahin and church Odzun(go for the sake of landscapes and the oldest relief image of Orthodox saints in the world)

Haghpat Monastery

Day 10. Extinct volcano

Aragats - Amberd - Lake Kari - Artashavan (Alphabet Square)

Return to Yerevan

These attractions are available from June to early October. In winter and spring, it is difficult to visit Aragats because of the snow. There is a serpentine (leaky asphalt).

Extinct volcano Aragats– the highest mountain in Armenia (4094 m)
Amberd fortress- an ancient fortress built on the slope of Mount Aragats at an altitude of 2200 m. Near the fortress there is an old church
Lake Kari– Alpine lake on Mount Aragats at an altitude of 3200 m
Alphabet Square in the village of Artashavan, 30 km from Yerevan, on the slope of Mount Aragats. I'm not sure if it's worth a special trip by transport, but if on the way, you can drop by

Lake Kari on Mount Aragats

Conclusion

For two weeks, all the sights of Armenia listed above can only be reached by car. Day 5 and day 8 in this route is very busy, you can not have time to see everything.

Lake Sevan in winter day 7) it is better to go along the M4 highway from Yerevan, because you can get stuck at the Selim pass when you are driving from the south of Armenia.

Day 10 only from June to early October, when there is no snow on Mount Aragats.

If you travel by minibuses and on foot, feel free to add another week or remove some points from the route.

Hitchhiking is also an issue. There are kind people in Armenia and a good stop, but many monasteries are located in the mountains far from the highway, so there may not be cars.

If you know what other interesting places you can see in Armenia, please write in the comments :)

Sunshine to you and Armenian hospitality!

Mila Demenkova

Today I will tell you about the sights of Yerevan and its environs 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 really feel 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 worthy places to visit are not only in the city itself, but also within a radius of 20-40 km from it, which by Russian standards is a real trifle, you can make the capital the base and arrange excursions to interesting places in District. But let's talk about everything in order.

tour bus

Sights of Yerevan and surroundings

The capital of Armenia made a good 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 spread out on scorched hills overlooking Mount Ararat and is notable for buildings built of red tuff - it looks very elegant!

Grand Cascade in Yerevan

For many residents of Yerevan, various places in the city are special, but most agree that the Grand Cascade is the main attraction. This masterpiece is located on the Kanaker hills and is an amazing ensemble that skillfully combines fountains, stairs, sculptures, flower beds.

The creation of the architect Tamanyan has become the main miracle of the capital of Armenia. Subsequently, a monument to this man even appeared here. The main purpose of the huge snow-white staircase is to connect the lower part of the city with the upper one. From the height of the attraction, an amazing view of the entire city opens up.

Blue Mosque in Yerevan

On the map of Yerevan, the Blue Mosque in 1768. The shrine was created as a symbol of great friendship between the two peoples - Iranian and Armenian. The attraction is huge, being the largest Muslim cathedral in the entire Caucasus.

The shrine consists of 28 pavilions. It also boasts a minaret, whose height is 24 m.

The highlight of the building is that all the domes are covered with majolica and faience tiles. In the courtyard of the mosque there is a place that Yeghishe Charents considered his favorite and often looked here. In the shade of a mulberry tree, he was very fond of drinking tea.

House Museum of Aram Khachaturian

No city in the Caucasus can boast of such a huge number of attractions as Yerevan. There are unique buildings, monuments and fountains everywhere. The locals consider the house-museum of the wonderful Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian to be a real gem.

Local authorities organized a museum in the building back in 1982, almost immediately after the death of the musician. The house belonged to Aram's brother. Vaghinak and his family lived here for a long time, and Aram often came to visit them.

The composer's music is regularly played in the museum. The director of the institution is the most talented conductor Gohar Harutyunyan.

Yerevan Zoo

Every resident and guest of the city knows about the most fun place in the capital - the Yerevan Zoo. Walking along it is equally interesting and informative for both young visitors and adults.

The first guests appeared at the zoo in 1941. The project was designed by the architect Grigory Aghababyan. More than two and a half thousand animals live on the territory. Also here you can see about 300 species of various reptiles, birds and other representatives of the fauna. The total area of the zoo is 25 hectares. In addition to pet enclosures, there are also various carousels where the smallest visitors can have a great time.

Erebuni Fortress

Around 782 BC, a large fortress appeared on Red Hill. The strategic object served as an observation post for the entire Ararat valley.

The construction of the fortress was led by the ruler of the Kingdom of Van Argishti the First.

According to legend, after the construction was completed, King Argishti declared the city the greatest in the world, where the most proud and unconquered people would live.

Residents of Yerevan believe that more than 2700 years ago, it was within the walls of the Erebuni fortress that the modern capital of Armenia was born. Tourists visiting the city can view with interest the ruins of the citadel and huge walls, the height of which was more than 12 m.

Monument "Mother Armenia"

Armenia, like most neighboring states, felt the horror and grief of the Great Patriotic War. That is why there is a large monument “Mother Armenia” in Yerevan, the height of which is 54 m. The monument is completely made of copper and symbolizes the struggle of the Armenian people against the invaders.

The homeland is depicted by a woman sheathing a sword. The height of the sculpture itself is 22 m. It is installed on a huge 32-meter pedestal. Like most of these attractions, this one has a museum located at the base. There is a huge exposition of objects telling about military events and battles.

Sergei Parajanov Museum

There are many in the city of Yerevan interesting museums, which can tell a lot of interesting things, but the museum dedicated to the work of the unique director Sergei Parajanov will be of interest to everyone.

This man was born in 1924, in an Armenian family, in the Georgian city of Tbilisi. He devoted all his work to his historical homeland - Armenia. That is why, in 1991, the Parajanov Museum was opened in Yerevan. The museum is a small house where the director spent his free time. Here is a large exposition of his works of art, beliefs and objects that help to understand the essence of a man of genius.

Monument to David of Sasun

Each guest of the city of Yerevan, who arrives at the railway station, is greeted by a beautiful statue of David of Sassoun. The monument is a huge stone on which stands a rider on a horse. The height of the sculpture, made of forged copper, is 12.5 m, and its weight is more than three and a half tons.

According to folk tales and legends, David was a great hero and hero with unique strength. He helped people and brought good to the world with his deeds.

The whole monument symbolizes determination and valor, which is manifested in the battle with enemies.

Singing fountains in Yerevan

Singing fountains are located on Freedom Square and are located opposite the Museum of Armenia. This miracle of technology was created about 50 years ago. The creation of the attraction was led by the outstanding scientist Abraham Abrahamyan. To look at these beautiful fountains, tourists travel great distances.

Sisian

On the very bank of the Vorotan River there is a small, but very beautiful and cozy locality, which is called Sisian. The first attraction is the forty-meter Shaki waterfall, surrounded by grottoes and rocks. Also nearby is an ancient shrine - St. George's Church. It was built back in the distant 7th century.

Around the town of Sisian, rock formations can be seen everywhere. They are engraved with inscriptions and drawings dating back to the second millennium BC.

This concludes our tourist review "Yerevan: sights (photo with description)". Do you know something special about the beauty of the city and its surroundings? Then we are waiting for you with feedback in the comments.

The city, located in two landscape zones on the left bank of the Araks River, is ancient city peace. Its history began with the fortress of Erebuni, which was founded by the king of the ancient state of Urartu - Argishti I. Reliable information about this was discovered during the dismantling of the ruins: on a massive stone slab the cuneiform text contained a message about the construction of the fortress. Judging by the remains of the fortress, Erebuni was in the place where the southern outskirts of Yerevan are now located. The city of unique buildings made of multi-colored tuff, having survived more than one tragedy, began to actively develop and grow after joining the USSR, turning over the decades into the beautiful capital of Armenia. The unique sights of Yerevan, embodying the past and present, attract a keen interest of tourists.

Not every capital of the world can boast of such a unique structure as the Grand Cascade architectural and stair complex. The grandiose construction of incredible beauty and originality is a bright modern landmark of the capital of Armenia. A multi-stage staircase made of tuff of noble shades descends from the top of the Kanaker hills to Tamanyan Street, where a monument to the people's architect of Armenia A. I. Tamanyan is installed in the square.

The staircase connecting the upper districts of the city with the lower ones is the center of the entire cultural and architectural complex, which includes fountains of amazing beauty, monuments, obelisks, museums, parks and squares. The construction of the Cascade began in the 80s of the last century and was completed only in 2009. The objective reasons for such a long-term construction were the terrible earthquake of 1988, the collapse of the USSR and the problems that piled on the country. The stopped construction was resumed in 2002, when an American with Armenian roots, J. Cafesjian, acquired the rights to it.

According to his plan, rooms for a gallery of ancient art were equipped under the stairs, and the upper part of the Cascade became a place for demonstrating the works of contemporary artists. Now installed here interesting sculptures modern avant-garde artists, in particular, Fernando Botero (South America). His expressive sculpture "Black Cat" evokes rave reviews from the public.

Blue Mosque

The symbol of Iranian-Armenian friendly ties, the Blue Mosque, so named because of the color of the dome lining, was erected in 1766 by order of the governor of the Erivan Khanate Qajar on an area of 7 thousand square meters. m. Now it is the largest functioning mosque in the entire Caucasus. Initially, the building of the mosque had 4 minarets, of which only 1 has survived to this day.

Three domes rise above the Muslim cathedral, lined with blue faience tiles with majolica. The minaret, 24 m long, is located in the southeastern wing of the mosque, where pavilions (28) are also located; in the northern wing - a library where those who wish to study the Persian language; and an exhibition hall displaying various Muslim arts and crafts.

The southern part of the cathedral is a large prayer hall, where Yerevan Muslims come for festive prayers. The inner courtyard of the mosque, overshadowed by a century-old mulberry tree, a favorite place of the genius of Armenian poetry Yeghish Charents during his lifetime. In Soviet times, the building of the mosque was occupied by the Museum of History and Nature, then by the planetarium, but since 1995 the Blue Mosque has again become an active center of spiritual Muslim culture.

House Museum of Aram Khachaturian

Khachaturian's music has absorbed the Caucasian temperament, oriental sadness, sincere tenderness, fiery passion, majestic restraint and the brightest expressiveness. Suffice it to recall his uniquely exciting waltz to Lermontov's drama "Masquerade". Is it possible to listen with indifference to the truly magical "Saber Dance" from the ballet "Gayane", the minting rhythm of which is combined with the lyrical beauty of the sound?!

All the music of the great musical genius will long excite the hearts of listeners. Despite the fact that the composer, conductor, musician and arranger did not always live in Armenia, he did a lot for ancient Armenian folk music, breathing into it new life. Grateful fellow countrymen opened the Khachaturian Museum in the year of his departure (1982) in the house where his older brother Vaginak lived

After the opening, all the years the museum is replenished with exhibits related to Aram Ilyich. Literally from all over the world they are given by admirers of the genius composer's talent. An example is the story of the Pleyel piano. During the composer's tour in Brazil, he was invited to visit by the famous antiquary of Sao Paulo - Mostijyan, who bought a musical instrument on this occasion. Khachaturian played on it, and then, at the request of the owner, he scrawled his autograph on the piano lid.

– get to know and fall in love with the city in 2 hours (€ 15 per person)
– get acquainted with the history of paganism and Christianity in Armenia on excursions to religious shrines (€ 17 per person)
– visit the main squares, see the Swan Lake and look into the Museum of Modern Art (€ 18 per person)
– the main thing about the history and architecture of the city, a master class in the carpet museum and the secrets of Armenian cognac (€ 22 per person)
– Khor Virap and Noravank monasteries, Areni cave, wine tasting: historical and scenic trip (€ 25 per person)

Zoo

The most picturesque place with rich flora and fauna is the zoo, founded back in 1941 at the suggestion of Professor Sarkisov. The war stopped large-scale construction for 4 years, but then active work began on equipping the zoo on 25 hectares. As a result, a superbly designed area with enclosures, pools, sculptures, fountains, children's carousels was formed.

About 2,500 various trees, 3,000 ornamental shrubs and perennial flowers were planted here. Now the zoo is a real oasis, where almost 3,000 individuals of three hundred species live, including mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and fish. The composition of the inhabitants is constantly expanding: in honor of the 70th anniversary of the zoo, ibexes, mandrills (a type of monkey), lemurs, flying dogs from Egypt, which now give healthy offspring, were purchased.

Zookeepers are trying to create as close to wild nature environment: treats for animals are hung or packed in cardboard boxes so that animals move actively, “getting” food. On holidays, the zoo turns into an arena of interesting performances, attractions, animation performances and various shows. All visitors, regardless of age, expect only positive emotions and unforgettable impressions here.

Erebuni Fortress

Like any city with an ancient history, Yerevan has its ancestral home in the form of the thousand-year-old ruins of the prehistoric Erebuni fortress, located on the Arin-Berd hill and covering an area of 100 hectares. Judging by the remains of fortifications, the city-fortress was created on a scale worthy of a strong and influential ruler, such as King Argishti I (782 BC) in the ancient state of Urartu. Such a conclusion can be drawn from the largest buildings of Erebuni - the royal palace and the temple of Susi, where luxurious highly artistic murals, exquisite ornaments made with expensive paints have been preserved.

The most valuable exhibit is a piece of a slab on which a text informing about the founding of the fortress is engraved in cuneiform. Many ancient relics illustrating the civilization of Urartu are located in the Erebuni Museum, located on one of the slopes of the hill. Everything is permeated in the ancient fortress mysterious riddles, not fully disclosed, so it attracts thousands of pilgrims.

The way up is not so easy, so you need to calculate your physical capabilities. There is still no developed infrastructure here: you need to take water and food with you when going up to the fortress. Despite these inconveniences, touching the distant past leaves a deep emotional imprint on the soul.

Monument "Mother Armenia"

The Second World War did not bypass Armenia, which sent to the front many of its citizens who gave their lives for the victory in the war against fascism. The Mother Armenia monument is a logical embodiment of the idea of peace, expressed in the theme of majestic sculpture. Once upon a time, on the site of this monument, there was a statue of Stalin, which crowned the avenue of the same name, which replaced Armenian Street.

Unlike the sculpture by Mamaev Kurgan, “Mother Armenia” sheaths the sword, and does not hold it above her. This gesture and the shield lying at her feet are symbols of peace, a conditional call to life without war. Unfortunately, at the end of the 80s of the last century, Armenia again had to go through the horrors of a terrible fratricidal war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

At the foot of the monument, the Museum of the Armenian Ministry of Defense is open, where military trophies, personal belongings, uniforms and portraits of war heroes are exhibited. Unique archival documents, weapons, front-line letters from soldiers are presented. Next to the sculptural monument is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, on which the Eternal Flame burns. A huge number of people of different ages flock here on memorable dates for Armenia.

Museum of the Armenian Genocide

On one of the green hills in the vicinity, the Genocide Memorial Museum is open, dedicated to the unprecedented atrocities shown by the Turks against the Armenians from 1915 to 1922. Over the years, almost 1.5 million Armenians living in the territory of the Ottoman Empire died in the massacre. It was a cruel revenge of innocent people for the defeat of the Turks in the battles near Sarykamysh with the Russian troops, who were assisted by the Armenians. The whole world recognized that it was genocide by the Turks and condemned the Young Turk government for its insane cruelty.

By the 80th anniversary of the terrible tragedy, a 2-story building was built, symbolically almost completely located underground, like a burial crypt. Allegorical is the form of the internal structure in the form of circles of hell, which the unfortunate victims of the genocide, who died under the knives, had to go through. The semi-basement premises of the first floor are reserved for administrative and technical services, a library, an archive and a storage facility. There is also a conference hall that can accommodate 170 people.

All museum exhibits are placed in 3 halls of the 2nd floor with a total area of 1000 sq. m. It is impossible to see mournful photographs without emotional excitement; read newspaper headlines; flipping through books about brutal executions.

The name of the extraordinary artist and stage director Sergei Parajanov became widely known to the Russian public only at the beginning of perestroika. Prior to this, the avant-garde works of a talented creator with an unusual artistic worldview were not popularized in the USSR. His film Shadows Disappear at Noon was an emotional shock to moviegoers, as was The Color of Pomegranate.

The house-museum is located on a high cliff above the gorge, from where you can see the enchanting surrounding landscapes. The 2-storey building was built specifically for the artist, who did not have time to live in it. One of Parajanov's close friends, Sargsyan, having become the director of the museum, is painstakingly working to expand the collection.

The photographs of the last 14 years of the life of a genius, taken by Sargsyan, give a broad idea of the great son of Armenia. His original collages, paintings, installations reveal the rich inner world of the artist, help to better understand the meaning and ideas of his works. Here, the gray reality, from the angle of the artist's special vision, turns into a bright, joyful, life-affirming atmosphere.

Singing Fountains

A delightful spectacle in the center is the Singing Fountains, a man-made miracle of Armenian design engineers and architects who adorned their brainchild main square capital Cities. The water-musical extravaganza, which begins in the evening, attracts crowds of residents and guests of the city. Fascinated by the magical play of light and soulful music, to the beat of which multi-colored jets of water move, people look as if spellbound at the perfect creation of the human mind and hands.

The merit in the creation of a unique structure belongs to a group of enthusiastic engineers led by a well-known professor in the country, Doctor of Technical Sciences Abrahamyan. They took the "singing" fountains of Germany as a basis, adding their technical "zest" and created a real masterpiece of this kind. The musical accompaniment includes magnificent examples of classics, national motives, rock and pop music at its best.

A stunning evening show at the end of the curtain is accompanied by the immortal chanson of the great countryman of the Armenians Charles Aznavour "Eternal Love". We must pay tribute to the French diaspora of Armenians for the restoration of fountains in 2007, in which a lot of money was invested. Thanks to this, the wonderful "Singing Fountains" continue to captivate and enchant the inhabitants.

As in others European capitals, in Yerevan, along with classical monuments of the past, there are avant-garde sculptures by contemporary authors, installed at the foot of the Grand Cascade. One of these sculptures is the "Man of Letters" by the Spanish modernist sculptor and artist Jaume Plensa, already well known in Europe for his unique works. “The Man of Letters” is a reduced copy of a French sculpture 8 m high (there are several such copies in the world).

The sculpture of a seated man is made of metal (stainless steel) letters of the Latin alphabet, chaotically connected into a single whole by welding. An unusual sculpture is irresistibly beautiful when it shines, penetrated by the rays of the sun, like a beacon of reason and knowledge. It is this meaning that the author put into his creation and did not lose. Sculptures installed in Moscow, Paris, Andorra enjoy the constant interest of the public. Residents have a reverent attitude towards their "Man of Letters".

Anyone who has been to Yerevan and seen the main sights, believed that all the interesting things are behind. But when he saw the Temple of Zvartnots, he was shocked to the core by the luxurious architecture of the ruins. The monumental beauty of the structures of the archaeological reserve, which Zvartnots is now, is simply stunning. It seems that there is nothing more beautiful in architecture than these ancient remains of the temple " Heavenly Angels”(this is how Zvartnots sounds in translation).

The excavations carried out here revealed the priceless ruins of temple buildings erected under the Catholicos Nerses III in 641-661, known under the nickname "Builder". Judging by the surviving magnificent columns with numerous decorations, this nickname was fully justified. According to legend, during the visit of the Byzantine emperor, he was so struck by the majestic beauty of the temple that he immediately wished to build the same in Constantinople. On the way, the invited architect died, and the emperor's plan did not materialize.

The temple was a round domed building made of light gray and black tuff, with three tiers with a total height of 49 meters and a diameter of the 1st tier of 35 m. The temple was based on a huge stepped pedestal, which has survived to this day in some places. A semicircle of 6 columns formed a cross inscribed in a circle, which symbolized the World. The lower tier of the temple was surrounded by a frieze with an intricate patterned bas-relief depicting pomegranate branches and vines, symbolizing the development of the world and man.

There are parts of the premises of the palace of the Catholicos, which can be used to judge its former grandeur. The ruins of the winery with large ceramic containers testify to the scale of wine production. Archaeological and restoration work continues on the territory of the ancient temple so that such beauty does not irrevocably become a thing of the past.

Freedom Square

Freedom Square appeared in the city at the beginning of the 20th century. Its main decoration - the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater - was built in 1933 on the site of the Getsemen Chapel. Opposite the majestic building, whose two-tier facade is decorated with arched ledges with pilasters and columns with capitals, bronze figures of the writer Hovhannes Tumanyan and composer Alexander Spendiarov sit on concrete pedestals.

Swan Lake is located near the Temple of Melpomene. With its shape, the artificial reservoir, named after Tchaikovsky's ballet, resembles the largest Caucasian lake Sevan. Weeping willows frame the shore, clad in granite; tourists' cameras click on the picturesque humpbacked bridge. In 2015, American rapper Kanye West performed on the embankment, shocking the audience with his sudden jump into clear water.

The peak of the popularity of Freedom Square falls on the cold season. During the New Year holidays, a beautiful Christmas tree rises here, entertainment events are organized nearby. The lake turns into the only outdoor skating rink in the city. The indigenous inhabitants of the reservoir - white and black swans - go to the zoo for the winter, and figure skating enthusiasts take their place.

France Square

France Square is a tribute to the Fifth Republic, which in 1915 provided invaluable assistance to the Armenians fleeing the genocide. The opening ceremony of the square, which took place in September 2006, was timed to coincide with the official visit to the country of Jacques Chirac. After the solemn events, a grandiose open-air concert was given, in which Charles Aznavour took part.

Five years later Nicolas Sarkozy visited Yerevan. The President did not arrive empty-handed. As a gift, the head of France presented the city with one of the immortal masterpieces of Auguste Rodin - a sculpture depicting the artist Jules Bastien-Lepage holding a palette and brushes. The monument is an exact copy of the statue that Rodin installed on the grave of the painter in the village of Damville.

Cast in bronze, Bastien-Lepage rises in the center of the Place de France, one of the busiest intersections of the capital. From all sides, the sculpture is surrounded by the symbols of Armenia: Mesrop Mashtots Avenue, the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, the State Conservatory, monuments to Alexander Tamanyan, Aram Khachaturyan, Martiros Saryan, William Saroyan and Komitas.

Republic Square

The heart of the Armenian capital - Republic Square - was the best work of the architect Alexander Tamanyan. The central place of the city, which took 32 years (1926-1958) to build and equip, is famous for its monumental buildings. The festive look of the buildings, combining the style of neoclassicism and national flavor, is given by the decoration of white and pink volcanic tuff.

basis architectural ensemble comprise the Government House, the Ministry of Energy and Foreign Affairs, the National Historical Museum, the Central Post Office and the Mariott Armenia Hotel. Stately buildings frame the pedestrian zone and the giant swimming pool. Not only tourists, but also locals do not bypass Republic Square.

It is especially crowded here on summer evenings, when the sun hides behind the tops of the mountains, and the beneficial coolness comes. From May to October at 21:00 the show of dancing fountains begins. Water jets shooting up to 50 meters are synchronized with lighting effects and music. The repertoire includes modern motifs and classical works. The colorful performance ends with the immortal masterpiece of Charles Aznavour - the composition "Eternal Love".

Flea market Vernissage

You can buy souvenirs and get to know the unique flavor of “Armenian-style” trade at Vernissage, a flea market located a kilometer from Republic Square. In the 80s of the XX century, a bazaar was opened on this place, where they sold moth-eaten trash: clothes that had long gone out of fashion, rusted utensils, dried up books, hackneyed gramophone records and grandmother's porcelain cups.

Today, Vernissage is a museum of history and a visual aid of folk art. The fair is filled to capacity with ubiquitous magnets, paintings, homespun textiles, traditional dolls, musical instruments, handmade jewelry, antique copper utensils, carpets and memorial tufa cross-stones. Tourist knick-knacks coexist here with truly unique things.

Exclusive cannot be cheap - for example, prices for collectible silver reach $2,000. Vernissage is open on Saturdays and Sundays, trading is conducted from 09:00 to 16:00. To see enough of the colorful curiosities, it is worth setting aside a whole day for a market trip. Numerous tents with drinks and national fast food will not let you get hungry.

Sakharov Square

At the intersection of Pushkin, Vardanants and Nalbandyan streets, there is a small Sakharov Square - a kind of "gallery" of architectural styles that have dominated Armenia over the past 60 years. So, located on the south and east side the buildings of the Administration and the Fire Bureau absorbed the best features of the "provincial classicism", popular in the 20-40s of the XX century.

Until 1990, the square was named after the leader of the Azerbaijani revolutionary movement, Azizbayov. The monument to the Baku commissar erected in 1932 was dismantled in 1988, during the height of the Karabakh movement. A year later, after the death of academician A. D. Sakharov, the city authorities decided to rename the square in honor of the famous scientist and human rights activist.

In 2001, the first monument to Sakharov in the Soviet Union appeared in the center of the square. The authors of the monument are Levon Galumyan, Ferdinand Arakelyan, Nerses Charkhchyan and Tigran Arzumanyan. The opening ceremony was led by the Mayor of Yerevan and the Prime Minister of the country. About 5,000 people came to honor the memory of the great humanist and public figure, who was the first in the USSR to stand up for the legitimate demands of the Karabakh Armenians.

Charles Aznavour Square

“I am French and Armenian,” said Charles Aznavour (Shakhnur Aznavourian) about himself. The musician was born into a family of ethnic Armenians who emigrated to France in 1923. The connection of the artist with his historical homeland has never weakened. During the powerful Spitak earthquake, the singer rallied Western countries who extended a helping hand to those affected by the disaster. In 2009, Charles took up the post of Armenian Ambassador to Switzerland.

In 2001, a small but very cozy semicircular square in front of the Moscow cinema was named after Aznavour, an honorary citizen of Yerevan and a national hero of the country. The hero of the occasion himself attended the festive events. And 12 years later, on the Avenue of Stars, which appeared here in 2010, the nominal star of the king of world chanson lit up.

Currently, Aznavour Square is one of the most popular places in the city. In the center there is a two-tiered fountain. It is framed by stone structures resembling flower petals decorated with figures of the signs of the zodiac. Giant chess and huge metal sculptures of a horse, a bull, a spider and a bear also give the highlight of the square.

Lovers park

On one of the largest arteries of the capital - Marshal Baghramyan Avenue - next to the buildings of the National Assembly and the Presidential Residence, there is the Park of Lovers (until 1995 - Barekamutyun (Friendship Park)). The new name of the recreation area was not given by chance. The cozy green corner is often visited by happily cooing couples and newlyweds in the company of wedding photographers clicking the shutter among romantic mini-waterfalls and well-groomed trees.

Silence and grace reigned in the park not always. At the end of the 20th century, this place was in a deplorable state. In 2008, the situation was corrected by philanthropist Albert Poghosyan, who financed the reconstruction of the city oasis. And the French landscape designer Pierre Rambach embodied the beauty of the picturesque landscapes of Armenia and the severity of traditional Japanese architecture in the restored park.

Today everything here is very "European". The area of 2.5 hectares is crossed by comfortable paths covered with fine gravel and tiles. Graceful bridges are thrown across decorative rivers and lakes, neatly trimmed lawns are filled with various sculptures. The park regularly hosts art exhibitions, music festivals and open-air film screenings.

National Gallery of Armenia

One of the most striking structures surrounding Republic Square is a pompous neoclassical building built from volcanic tuff. The upper floors of this architectural beauty are occupied by a 1921-based National Gallery. Her first exhibits were canvases taken from temporary exhibitions of Armenian painters. Now the collection includes more than 26,000 works of art.

The world of Armenian artists is presented in all its diversity. The National Department has about 7,000 paintings, among which are ancient frescoes, medieval miniatures, works by masters of the New and Newest period. The heart of the exposition is the second largest (after the Feodosskaya Gallery) collection of paintings by Ivan Aivazovsky (Hovhannes Ayvazyan). In addition to the masterpieces of the famous marine painter, the walls of the museum are decorated with canvases by Hakob Kojoyan, Martiros Saryan, Panos Terlemezyan, Gevorg Bashindzhakhyan.

The department of European and Russian masters includes works created by famous masters. The names of Rubens, Donatello, Strozzi, Tintoretto, Levitan, Serov, Bryullov, Chagall sound like heavenly music for fans of world painting. In addition, visitors to the gallery will find extensive expositions of sculptures, graphics, and decorative and applied arts.

English park

The oldest park - the English (Theatre) Park - celebrated its 160th anniversary. A green oasis appeared on the map of the capital in 1860, becoming a fragment of a large public park that stretched to the most fashionable part of the city - Astafyevskaya Street (now Abovyan). Cozy mansions, private shops, expensive restaurants and luxury houses created a unique sedate atmosphere of old London.

With the advent of Soviet power, the park was renamed in honor of the valiant Baku commissars. The historical name of the recreation area was returned only in 1991. Today, the English Park makes a double impression. On the one hand, the territory strikes with cleanliness and freshness. There are wide shady alleys, a fragrant rose garden, a children's section, a fountain and the Sundukyan Theater - the largest Melpomene Temple in the country.

Zones reminiscent of shots from old films contrast with European measured and well-groomed areas. These nostalgic corners are a favorite place for pensioners who come to the park to relax, breathe fresh air and chat with peers.

Victory Park

Climbing to the very top of the famous "Cascade", you will find yourself at the entrance to the Akhtanakh Park, which means "Victory Park" in translation. It got its name in the 1950s. In Soviet times, the oasis, overgrown with dense vegetation, was the largest green area in the capital.

As a guardian of the city, the monument “Mother Armenia” rises on a 51-meter tuff pedestal, which in 1967 replaced the statue of Stalin. The copper figure of a woman holding a huge sword in her hand embodies the stamina and masculinity of the Armenian people. At the foot there is a museum, the exhibits of which are dedicated to the years of the Great Patriotic War and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Nearby, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Eternal Flame blazes. To the side stretched the Alley of Heroes.

The second attraction of the park is Arevik lake. Until 1969, all the townspeople, from young to old, bathed in an artificial reservoir 8 m deep. Chlorinated water was used to irrigate local vegetation. Now you can ride a boat and a catamaran on the mirror surface. There is a recreation area next to the lake. Everything is standard here: well-groomed alleys, small cafes and various attractions.

Matenadaran

Translated from the ancient Armenian language, the word "Matenadaran" means "book depository". That is why the museum was so named, in the archives of which there is one of the largest collections of manuscripts on the planet. The treasure trove of world culture was created in 1921. Its base was the collection laid down in the 5th century by the founder of Armenian writing Mesrop Mashtots.

Even the building itself, whose walls contain the rarest manuscripts, is admirable. Built in 1957, it is designed in the traditional style of medieval architecture. At the foot of the structure, there is a sculpture of Mashtots introducing the alphabet to his beloved student Koryun. The stone facade is decorated with basalt figures of prominent figures of science and art.

The rarities of the Matenadaran will interest those who are not indifferent to the "traditions of ancient times." The museum fund includes about 17,000 manuscripts, 100,000 archival documents and centuries-old folios, as well as ancient samples of fabrics, jewelry and leather embossing. Among the treasures of the collection are the 27.5 kg book "Sermons of Mush" written in 1200 and a matchbox-like 19-gram church calendar of the 16th century.

Opera and Ballet Theatre. A. Spendiarova

An invaluable gift for art lovers will be a visit to the Opera and Ballet Theater, which adorns Freedom Square. The decision to create a stationary opera house was made in 1932. In January 1933, a grand opening took place, marked by the staging of Almast by Alexander Spendiarov.

The theater received its own walls in 1940. The magnificent semicircular building, designed by the architect Tamanyan, is a symbiosis of monumental buildings of the Stalin era and medieval buildings of the East. The interior decoration, designed in light colors, attracts attention with marble square columns and wall panels.

The stage of the Temple of Melpomene hosted the musical "West Side Story" and the operas "Oedipus Rex", "La Traviata", "Faust". The first production of an independent ballet group, organized in 1934, was Swan Lake, after which a picturesque decorative pond nearby was named. However, the theater's repertoire is not limited to masterpieces of world classics. Spectators with great interest accept performances from modern authors of Armenia.

Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator

In 2001, Armenia celebrated an important holiday - the 1700th anniversary of the country's adoption of Christianity. The construction of the largest Christian church in Transcaucasia was timed to coincide with this significant date. The construction, initiated by the Catholicos of All Armenians Galegin I, began in 1997. After 4 years, the church ensemble, designed for 1,700 people, was solemnly consecrated.

Although the cathedral is Orthodox, in its appearance you will not find the usual smooth contours, rounded domes and crosses shining in the sun. The grandiose building, designed by the architect Stepan Kyurkchyan, is distinguished by the strictness of geometric shapes, restraint of the color palette and a minimum of decor. The height of the temple complex consisting of bell towers and three churches is 54 m, the total area is 3,822 m².

Inside the cathedral, parishioners are greeted by spacious ascetic halls. Light enters through narrow Romanesque windows decorated with colorful mosaics. There are very few icons here, and there are no wall frescoes at all. In the vestibule there is a shrine in which the object of worship of Orthodox pilgrims rests - the relics of Equal-to-the-Apostles Gregory the Illuminator.

Yerevan brandy factory

Spicy lively taste, fragrant overflows of oak, prunes, raisins and honey, silky, slightly bitter aftertaste - all this characterizes the famous Armenian cognac. The drink, whose fame has long spread beyond the borders of the country, is rooted in the distant past. According to ancient manuscripts and archaeological finds, the production of the joyful amber elixir in Armenia was carried out as early as the 15th century BC.

The modern history of Armenian cognac began in 1887. Merchant Nerses Tairyan created the first factory of alcoholic beverages in the capital, which in 1953 was named Yerevan Brandy Factory. Over the long years of its existence, its products have won 115 gold and 48 silver medals. Pot-bellied bottles with the label "Ararat" are known in 40 countries of the world.

You can learn the intricacies of the production technology of an authentic drink, taste standard and collection varieties, as well as purchase a coveted bottle with golden contents of various aging during a tour of the factory. Russian speaking guide will introduce you to interesting facts about the drink, will show fragrant cellars and halls where centuries-old barrels and vessels are stored - witnesses of the birth of the famous production.

Cafesjian Center for the Arts

At the base of the staircase leading to the top of the Cascade is the entrance to an unusual museum. Its collection consists of 5,000 sculptures, paintings and installations, some of which are placed outdoors. Created in 2009, the art complex is very popular with tourists - already 2 years after the opening, it received more than 1.2 million visitors.

The idea of creating the center belonged to US businessman Gerard Levon Cafesjian, who donated to the gallery a part of his personal collection of unique creations by contemporary authors. All exhibits are exhibited in two sections: the internal "Art Galleries" and the external "Sculpture Gardens". In closed rooms, installations, photographic works, avant-garde paintings, gigantic Swarovski pieces and the world's largest collection of glass works are presented.

Opposite the Cascade, the Sculpture Gardens exhibit statues created by Stanislav Libensky, Paul Cox, Barry Flanagan, Fernando Botero, David Martin, Lynn Russell Chadwick. You can admire works of contemporary art every day from 8:00 to 20:00.

Modern Art Museum

Another eldorado for Modern Art lovers is the Museum of Modern Art, located on Mashtots Avenue. You can easily find the entrance to the gallery by looking at the creative graffiti drawings decorating the house built in neo-constructivist style. Inside, there are bright halls lined up one after another, whose white walls and strict lines contrast sharply with the variety of shapes and colors of exhibits.

The creation of the Museum of Modern Art dates back to 1972. At that time, on the territory of the USSR, where the style of socialist realism dominated, the directions of avant-garde, surrealism, modernism and futurism were prohibited, so the opening of an art gallery became a real sensation.

The collection is based on paintings and sculptures of the generation of Armenian artists of the “sixties”: Vruyr Galstyan, Minas Avetisyan, Ashot Hovhannisyan, Aratyun Kalents, Gayane Khachaturyan. Notable exhibits include Jean Garzou's controversial Red Room, Martin Petrosyan's Friendship and Akop Hakobyan's Railway Station.

Botanical Garden

A wonderful option for a walk on a hot summer day is to visit botanical garden. The green massif, covering an area of about 90 hectares, was founded in 1935. After the collapse of the Soviet Union further fate the park was under threat - funding stopped, and the energy crisis forced local residents cut trees for firewood. A change for the better was outlined in 1994, after the creation of the Center for Plant Biodiversity Conservation.

The local kingdom of flora impresses with its diversity. About 500 representatives of the tropical and subtropical flora are gathered in the greenhouse. A truly fantastic sight is colorful orchids, fragrant jasmine, unique grape vines and avocados. There are also the rarest exotics here - the Australian macadamia and the hand of the Buddha, whose unusual fruits look like long fingers hanging from the hand.

Gardeners and architects embodied in miniature models of all the natural regions of Armenia. Walking along the picturesque alleys, you will meet the juniper of the Ararat valley, and the juzgun of the Gorovan semi-desert, and the inhabitant of the Sevan basin, calamus. Many representatives of the flora arrived in a blooming oasis from China, Thailand, India and America.

Folk Art Museum

On Abovyan Street is the only one of its kind art Gallery, which stores samples of fine and decorative arts. This is the Museum of Folk Art, the formation of the collection of which began in the 30s of the last century. The cultural center received its own building in 1978.

In the unusual gallery there are no creations of professional artists and sculptors. All 12 thousand objects included in the museum fund are the works of amateur masters, for whom creativity is a favorite hobby and a way of self-expression. In their art, folk craftsmen have reached the highest level. This is evidenced by exhibits representing various eras of Armenian culture.

The exposition includes lace, chasing, ceramics, glass crafts, mini-sculptures, paintings in the style of naive art, pile carpets and carpets. Of constant interest is the collection of traditional jewelry made of precious metals, decorated with onyx, turquoise, garnet and obsidian.

House Museum of Martiros Saryan

The outstanding Armenian painter Martiros Saryan (1880–1972) is called a master of color and a luminous artist. The popular recognition of the master and his popularity among art critics were so great that in November 1967 a museum was opened in Yerevan, the collection of which included canvases, sketches, graphic works and book illustrations of the author. Today the gallery's keeper is the artist's granddaughter Sophia Saryan.

Saryan's paintings are an expression of national identity. The entire creative path of the artist was illuminated by love for the Motherland, its centuries-old history, marvelous landscapes, and, of course, people. Armenia occupies a central place in the master's work. The canvases take the viewer to small courtyards, valleys flooded with light, ancient monasteries and to the tops of mighty mountains.