Top 15 Attractions In Yerevan, Armenia
By Vic Gerami
2,800-12 months-Previous Metropolis on the Intersection of Europe and the Center East, with a Fusion of Armenian, Western European, and Russian tradition and custom is not a ‘secret’ to world vacationers
Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, established in the eighth century B.C., is without doubt one of the oldest regularly inhabited cities in the world. Yerevan celebrated its 2,800th anniversary in 2018. Though it has a western European ambiance, lined with vast boulevards and sidewalk cafes, remnants of Soviet-era buildings nonetheless exist following Armenia’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Armenia grants residents from a long list of countries, together with america, visa-free entry. There aren’t any charges or paperwork for guests so long as they’ve a sound passport, and vacationers can keep in the nation for as much as six months.
Anticipate distinctive hospitality. In Yerevan, hospitality is king, and residents abide by the adage ‘A visitor has a spot over the host’s head,’ which means the visitor is extra vital than the host.
Yerevan’s water is touted to be a few of the tastiest and purest consuming water in the world. Town constructed 2,750 water fountains for its residents—and you may drink from them. Nice meals is an enormous a part of Yerevan’s tradition. It’s hearty, scrumptious, numerous, and inexpensive. Conventional dishes embody dolma (grape leaves filled with meat or rice), mante (baked meat dumplings served with yogurt), lavash (skinny wood-fired bread), lahmajun (skinny dough topped with spicy mincemeat), dolma, and stewed meat cooked in wine.
You possibly can see Mount Ararat, the resting place of Noah’s Ark, from many elements of Yerevan, which has a wealthy music tradition-classical, jazz, and rap. Town is host to 50 museums. Even metro stations appear like museums. Yerevan’s ten metro stations are embellished with partitions coated in white marble, sculptures, and work. Constructed through the Soviet period, the Metro, 100 drams a experience (25 cents), additionally gives reduction throughout sizzling summer time months. Hold an eye fixed out for the Sasuntsi Davit Metro cease, which has bronze reliefs of animals and symbols from Armenian epic poems across the ticket sales space.
Brady is to Armenia what whiskey is to Eire. Through the nineteenth century, Armenia established a thriving brandy business, partly to satisfy Russia’s demand for cognac. Based on well-liked legend, Winston Churchill acquired a style for Armenia’s well-known brandy, Ararat. The wine scene in Yerevan can be rising as extra wine bars open up alongside Martiros Saryan Avenue. Armenia is taken into account one of many first wine-producing international locations. Archaeologists found the world’s oldest winery right here, which dates again 6,000 years, and it’s develop into an enormous enterprise over the previous few years.
Armenia presents an amazing deal to various kinds of vacationers. Some come for his or her historical historical past, archeological websites, and monuments. In distinction, others are journey vacationers who select to bike or hike via its nationwide trails, see the highlands, the waterfalls, and luxuriate in its ski resorts. Don’t miss the next ten points of interest in the event you go to Yerevan.
REPUBLIC SQUARE
Republic Sq. is the guts of Yerevan. It’s to Armenia what Instances Sq., the Washington Monument, and the Capital Constructing Garden are to American mixed. That is the place many demonstrations have taken place, together with Armenia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’ in 2018. Additionally it is a well-liked house for large-scale concert events, internet hosting the band ‘System of a Down’ a number of instances.’
They name Yerevan the ‘Pink metropolis’ for nothing. As you stand on the Heart of Republic Sq., you’ll discover that the majority buildings are constructed from volcanic bricks of various shades of pink. I believe the colour displays the enjoyable and vibrant vibe of town very properly.
At evening, the sq.’s spectacular water fountain present is a well-liked attraction. The water present is synchronized with epic music from classical masters, well-known Armenian musicians, and modern artists.
CAFESJIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND THE CASCADE COMPLEX
The Cafesjian Heart for the Arts, positioned in The Cascade Complicated, is devoted to bringing one of the best of latest artwork to Armenia and presenting one of the best of Armenian tradition to the world. Impressed by the imaginative and prescient of its founder, Gerard L. Cafesjian, the Heart presents all kinds of exhibitions, together with a number of vital work from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Assortment of latest artwork.
Having celebrated its grand opening in November 2009, CCA displays distinctive works of contemporary and modern artwork and presents a various program of lectures, movies, concert events, and quite a few academic initiatives for adults and kids. Over a million individuals have visited the Heart yearly since its opening.
The constructing that now homes the Cafesjian Heart for the Arts is well-known to the Armenian individuals, particularly these residing in its capital metropolis of Yerevan. Often called “The Cascade,” the complicated was initially conceived by Alexander Tamanyan (1878–1936).
Development of Torosyan’s design of the Cascade was launched by the Soviets in the Nineteen Eighties however deserted after the Armenian earthquake of 1988 and the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Cascade is a big stairway showcasing totally different fountains and sculptures on every degree. You might want to see for your self to know the correct scale of the Cascade. It’s large. On the prime, it is possible for you to to get an unobstructed view of Yerevan and Mount Ararat.
TSITSERNAKABERD ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL COMPLEX
Yerevan’s Tsitsernakaberd Memorial complicated is devoted to the reminiscence of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the primary Genocide of the twentieth century by the hands of the Turkish authorities. Accomplished in 1967, the Genocide Monument has since develop into an integral a part of Yerevan’s structure and a pilgrimage web site. Set on a hill and dominating the panorama, it’s in good concord with its environment. Its austere outlines convey the spirit of the nation that survived a ruthless marketing campaign of extermination.
The Museum and Institute had been opened in Tsitsernakaberd in 1995 to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
NORTHERN AVENUE
If you wish to go to Yerevan’s reply to New York’s fifth Avenue, Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive, and Paris’ Avenue Montaigne, then head over to Northern Avenue. Opened in 2007, the pedestrian-only road is positioned in downtown Yerevan and is dwelling to luxurious residential buildings, accommodations, eating places, nightclubs, and designer boutiques, together with Armani, Burberry, and Ermenegildo Zegna.
In March 2019, a piece of Northern Avenue was devoted as Europe Sq. to have fun the seventieth anniversary of the institution of the Council of Europe. The Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, acknowledged, “Over the previous 28 years following its independence Armenia, adhered to the pan-European values, continues constructing its cooperation in the European route”.
MUSEUM COMPLEX OF THE MATENADARAN
Matenadaran, also referred to as the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Historical Manuscripts, has one of many largest and most dear collections of manuscripts that embody Armenia’s and different nations’ priceless paperwork.
The phrase ‘Matenadaran’ means ‘holder of manuscripts’ or ‘manuscript collector.’ Immediately, the Armenian public associates the phrase ‘Matenadaran’ with the nation’s religious and cultural richness and delight, embodied in the construction of the manuscript repository.
The Matenadaran has consolidated about 23,000 manuscripts, together with nearly all historical and medieval Armenian cultural and sciences – historical past, geography, grammar, philosophy, regulation, medication, arithmetic, cosmology, chronology, divination literature, translated and nationwide literature, miniature portray, music, and theater. The Matenadaran additionally holds manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Ethiopian, Syrian, Latin, Tamil, and different languages. Many originals, misplaced in their mom languages and identified solely by their Armenian translations, have been saved from medieval translations.
The Matenadaran museum complicated is in the institute’s previous, authentic constructing. What was previously a single exhibition corridor now consists of fifteen halls in which hundreds of short-term, changeable, and unique displays are on show. Manuscript, fragments of manuscripts, paperwork, previous, printed books, treasured bindings, particular person miniatures, and extra are proven from Matenadaran’s database of roughly 23,000 manuscripts.
ARARAT BRANDY FACTORY
Get to know the artwork of making the legendary ‘Ararat’ brandies by visiting the museum in Yerevan. Through the tour, you’re going to get acquainted with the historical past of brandy-making that made Armenia well-known and see the principle levels of manufacturing. The tour ends in a tasting room, the place you may style a number of iconic brandies.
The historical past of the oldest model of Armenian brandy started greater than 130 years in the past, in 1887, when the primary brandy manufacturing in Armenia was based. And at present, ‘Ararat,’ introduced in 35 international locations, is the primary world model of Armenian cognac.
VERNISSAGE OPEN-AIR MARKET
Vernissage open-air exhibition market is without doubt one of the most satisfying locations to go to in Yerevan. Other than souvenirs, you’ll discover nice Armenian folks artwork, distinctive jewellery, carpets, previous work, and unique handmade masterpieces.
From the French phrase for ‘varnishing,’ Vernissage means preview or launch an artwork exhibition. Contemplating what number of artists and craftsmen showcase their work right here, it’s no shock the market bears this title.
It was fashioned through the Nineteen Eighties by Armenian artists who began to show their artworks in the sq. subsequent to the Artists’ Union of Armenia (the present Charles Aznavour Sq.). Others have used the park subsequent to Komitas State Conservatory to indicate their works. Later, the Vernissage was moved to Martiros Saryan backyard in entrance of the Opera Home. The exhibition market was progressively enlarged and at last moved to Aram and Buzand streets, beginning with the Republic sq. metro station and ending with the statue of Vardan Mamikonyan. Nonetheless, painters are nonetheless utilizing the Saryan park to indicate their portray works.
OPERA HOUSE
One other surprise of Armenian structure is the Armenian Nationwide Tutorial Theatre of Opera and Ballet constructing, named after Alexander Spendiaryan. Positioned in the guts of Yerevan, this constructing is one other masterpiece of Alexander Tamanyan that was awarded the Grand Prize on the World Exhibition in Paris. The constructing is taken into account the image of music tradition expressed via the architectural grace and basic splendor.
The Theatre of Opera and Ballet was formally opened on January 20, 1933. The constructing is spherical in form. It consists of two live performance halls with 1,400 seats and Aleksandr Spendarian Opera and Ballet Nationwide Theatre with 1,200 seats.
There’s a spherical sq. in entrance of the Theatre of Opera and Ballet named ‘Azatutyun,’ which means freedom, with the statue of the good Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanian and composer Aleksandr Spendarian. The ‘Freedom sq.’ is a favourite with the locals.
EREBUNI FORTRESS & MUSEUM
Erebuni is without doubt one of the oldest present fortresses, constructed in 782 B.C., and is the precursor to Yerevan. 2018 was thus the 2,800th anniversary of Erebuni-Yerevan.
Erebuni Fortress was based by the king of Urartu, Argishti the First, who left written testimony upon constructing the fortress. The fortress has not but been absolutely explored and undoubtedly has secrets and techniques of town’s historical past. Some main a part of the 2800-year-old fortress didn’t endure to this present day and was unattainable to revive.
Erebuni museum shows the findings of excavations performed on the remnants of the fortress. The everlasting exhibitions of the museum showcase artifacts from the Urartu period, together with however not restricted to cuneiforms, weapons, belts, bracelets, and different items of knickknack made from gold and silver, statues, bronze ware, tableware, and many others.
Diggings and archaeological excavations found areas the place grain processing and wine practices had taken place. The jars and different pottery items had wine traces on them, affirming the excessive degree of tradition and traditions of the Urartian dynasty.
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SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, also referred to as the Yerevan Cathedral, is the most important cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It’s in the Kentron District (Central District) of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. It is without doubt one of the largest spiritual buildings in the South Caucasus, together with the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (referred to as the Sameba Cathedral). Adjoining to the Normal Andranik metro station, it’s seen from many areas of Yerevan.
The cathedral’s consecration happened on September 23, 2001, on the event of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity because the state faith of Armenia. The cathedral homes the relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and the Holy Stays of St. Gregory, introduced from Naples, Italy. Shortly after the consecration of the cathedral, Pope John Paul II paid a go to to the cathedral.
HISTORY MUSEUM OF ARMENIA
The historical past museum of Armenia, thought to be Armenia’s nationwide museum, was based on September 9, 1919. It was referred to as Ethnographic-Anthropological Museum-Library at first and opened its doorways on August 20, 1921.
The museum has collections in archaeology, numismatics, ethnography, fashionable historical past and restoration. It has a nationwide assortment of 400,000. 35% of the principle assortment is made up of archaeology associated objects, 8% of the gathering is made up of Ethnography associated objects, Numismatics associated objects make up 45%, and 12% of the gathering is made up of paperwork. The state financially helps the museum and owns each the gathering and the constructing. The museum carries out conservation and restoration work and publishes works on Armenian structure, archaeology, ethnography, and historical past. In addition they have revealed a collection of studies on archaeological excavations since 1948.
MOTHER ARMENIA MONUMENT
Mom Armenia monument is without doubt one of the hottest in Yerevan. It was based in 1967 as a victory memorial for World Conflict II. The sculpture has a particular symbolism – from its peak, Mom Armenia appears to protect the peace of town with a sword and protect.
Earlier than the memorial building, there was one other monument, the image of socialism – the statue of Stalin. It was demolished and changed by the sculpture symbolizing Armenia. Mom Armenia is a logo of the facility and unity of the Motherland.
An enormous sculpture is without doubt one of the highest in Yerevan. The peak of it’s 22 meters, plus it has a pedestal of 51 meters excessive. The pedestal is a museum of the Ministry of Protection of Armenia, exhibiting paperwork, images and all the things associated to the Nice Patriotic Conflict and the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict.
The monument is positioned in Victory Park close to the Everlasting flame, on an commentary deck with a wide ranging view of town.
LOVERS’ PARK
The Park dates to the 18th century, referred to as Kozern Park named after the Kozern district, a northwestern suburb of previous Yerevan. It was well-known for its medieval cemetery and its chapel.
After the World Conflict II, the park was redesigned in 1949 and renamed Pushkin Park by the choice of the Council of Ministers of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, as a part of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the famend Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. Later in 1970, the park was named Barekamutyun (Friendship) as a tribute to the friendship of all Soviet Union member nations. In 1995, following the independence of Armenia, by the choice of the presidency of Yerevan Metropolis Council’s civil representatives, the park was renamed Lovers’ Park Yerevan, based mostly on the truth that the park had been a favourite rendezvous for a lot of {couples}, through the second half of the twentieth century.
GUM MARKET
GUM Market is an unlimited indoor house the place totally different distributors promote dried fruits, sujukh, basturma, fragrant herbs, contemporary fruits-vegetables, contemporary meat, fish and elements for Armenian khash.
The GUM Market Armenia takes its title from the Russian abbreviation for ‘Fundamental Common Retailer’, the title given to the principle shops in former Soviet Union cities.
The shop is damaged down into totally different departments. The dried and candied items, the butcher store and fishmongers, the fruits and veggies, the spices, the clothes, and the eccentricities. The entrance a part of the GUM Market Armenia is dedicated to dried and candied fruits, nuts, spices and our all-time favourite Armenian snack, sujukh. In addition they love calling this ‘Armenian Snickers’. It’s a deal with made from walnuts which have been dipped in grape jelly. They make for glorious edible Armenian souvenirs to carry dwelling.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ARMENIA
The Nationwide Gallery is the most important artwork gallery in Armenia, and probably the most excellent among the many international locations of the previous union. The gathering of the Nationwide Gallery now has a complete of about 26,000 objects of high quality and utilized arts; it’s represented in 56 exhibition halls. The museum’s assortment contains canvases of Armenian, European, Russian artists, in addition to works of ornamental and utilized artwork.
The gathering of Armenian artwork contains masterpieces by Ivan Aivazovsky, Martiros Saryan, Arshile Gorky, and Jean Jansem. The European assortment contains works by Rubens, Rodin, van Goyen, Jacob Jordan and Rousseau.
GRAND HOTEL YEREVAN
I might usually provide you with just a few choices for accommodations, however it could do you a disservice. I’ve been to Armenia earlier than and stayed at high quality institutions, however nothing can examine to the Grand Resort Yerevan.
It’s a sublime and fashionable resort for vacationers, sightseers, and those that are prepared for an unforgettable expertise. The appeal of the 1928 neoclassical constructing that homes the resort is timeless. The posh resort is in the middle of Yerevan. Resulting from its prime location, Grand Resort represents the embodiment of contemporary and historical Armenian historical past and tradition. Regardless of being an distinctive resort and ideally positioned in the guts of city, their charges are very cheap.
Grand Resort Yerevan is a sublime and refined resort with a protracted and storied historical past. Its glorious location, inside a brief strolling distance from Yerevan’s central Republic Sq., makes it potential to totally benefit from the metropolis and attain all the principle points of interest of the capital. The spacious and comfy rooms, the interior yard bar, the rooftop pool with panoramic view, and the spa create an opulent expertise with enjoyable lodging.
Grand Resort Yerevan is just a 15-minute drive (12 km) from the Zvartnots Worldwide Airport. It’s inside straightforward strolling distance to the Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the Nationwide Gallery, the Republic Sq., and Cascade, a monumental travertine stairway embellished with the sculptures of essentially the most outstanding modern artists. Northern Avenue, the well-known pedestrian road replete with bars and stylish boutiques, is simply close by.
The “smorgasbord” breakfast in the Nairi by Grand Resort Yerevan presents a variety of candy and salty dishes. High quality cocktails are accompanied by reside music in the Winter Backyard Bar, which is open 24/7. So, put together your self to get pleasure from their glorious service, high-quality meals, and contemporary design.
The resort’s spa heart presents you a variety of magnificence procedures and massages with rigorously chosen Armenian merchandise. Within the open-air rooftop pool, health heart, or sauna bathtub. The personal open-air pool (seasonal), located on the resort’s roof, is an ideal place for rest. Right here you may benefit from the sunny Yerevan whereas lounging in snug deckchairs, having a cocktail, and attempting delectable cold and hot dishes from the bar. This magical place with a fantastic and picturesque view of Yerevan is ideally fitted to romantic dinners, personal occasions, and cocktail events.
The resort’s spa heart presents you a variety of magnificence procedures and massages with rigorously chosen Armenian merchandise. Within the open-air rooftop pool, health heart, or sauna bathtub.
The luxurious rooms of Grand Resort Yerevan, with their trendy furnishings and a focus to the smallest element, offer you all of the companies essential to have an unforgettable journey. The workers is extremely skilled, pleasant, and the service is top-notch. In case you are planning a visit to Armenia, look no additional than the Grand Resort Yerevan.
Top 10 points of interest in Yerevan barely scratches the floor of what this historical metropolis has to supply. There’s a good cause why Armenia is main vacationer vacation spot for individuals in historical past, faith, archeology, journey journey, a properly as for foodies, wine connoisseurs, and music lovers.
