Yerevan - the capital of Armenia
Armenia is a country of ancient culture and it is often referred to as an open-air museum. The Ararat Valley is the main corner of that museum. It is the site of all capitals that Armenians have built through-out their long history. In 782 B.C the Urartian king Argishti the First founded Erebuni - the military and administrative centre of the state of Urartu. The fortress Erebuni is in the south-eastern part of today's Yerevan, on the Arin-Berd hill. The cuneiform inscription found at the site of Arin-Berd reads: "With the power of (GOD) Khaldi, I, Argishti, Son of Menua, erected this stronghold, and named it Erebuni to the glory of the country of Biaina and to the fear of its enemies…." Erebuni-Yerevan has played a significant role in the economic, political and social life of Armenia. It was one of the prominent commercial centres and was located on the crossroads of many trade caravans.
The invasions of Arabs and Seljuk Turks in the VII-XI cc. seriously damaged the city and hindered its further development.
For the first time Yerevan as the capital of the Ararat country was mentioned by some chronicles in the 14th century when it became a vice-regency centre. In XV-XIII centuries Yerevan greatly suffered from Ottoman and Persian invasions. After the unification of Eastern Armenia with Russia in 1828, Yerevan became the centre of the Yerevan province. The city kept on growing and on the turn of the century it occupied a territory of some 102 sq. Km with a population of 30000 people.
Since early Soviet era the city was developed according to the prominent Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian's design. He successfully incorporated both national traditions and world urban construction elements. The design presented a radial-circular arrangement, most appropriate for the local relief. So it is very easy for foreigners to find their way in the city.
Yerevan is situated in the north-eastern part of the Ararat Valley. The upland Yerevan is fringed by mountains on three sides, and only to the south it freely descends down to the Arax River Valley. With its rugged terrain, Yerevan displays a 400m disparity between its lowest and highest points. The city is divided into two by Hrazdan River that flows in a picturesque canyon. The climate in Yerevan is dry and strictly continental.
Today's Yerevan is a big and beautiful city, and has a population of more than a million and quarter.
To pay homage to the ancient history of Yerevan, visitors should start sightseeing from the hill where archaeologists founds ruins of the Erebuni fortress. The stronghold was once surrounded with huge walls in three rows. High up on a wall, to the left of the entrance, a piece of basalt stone with Argishti's cuneiform inscription is set to announce the foundation of Erebuni. The castle had two inner yards with a string of big living halls around them. Besides the castle, there was another important building - the Temple of Khaldi. An intriguing detail - the floor of the temple was laid with small wooden planks, which look very much like parquet. The premises of the castle are famous for the huge, 600-litre capacity karasses (jugs) deeply dug in the earth. The collection of the Erebuni Museum houses items found on the site: bowls, Urartian seals, bronze artefacts, jewellery, coins, etc.
The excavations on the Arin-Berd Hill have exposed the historical embryo of Yerevan, the citadel that was founded nearly 3 thousand years ago. This year Yerevan is celebrating its 2788th anniversary.
The central part of the city includes three main squares: the Republic Square, the Shahumian Square and the Theatrical Square. The Republic Square is the gemstone of the city. The square is framed with the buildings of the Government, some Ministries and Marriot Armenia Hotel, designed by Alexander Tamanian in the best traditions of the Armenian architecture to make up a beautiful ensemble. The History Museum and the Art gallery are also to be found on the Republic Square.
The Theatrical Square is adjacent to the State Opera and Ballet House making up another picturesque ensemble.
The Hrazdan Stadium and the Victory Bridge with the Wine and Cognac Factories represent another composition genuinely fitting into the beautiful Hrazdan canyon. Mashtots Avenue, one of the main arteries of the city, starts here. It then goes up north, ending at the steps of Matenadaran - a unique research institute and museum of ancient manuscript named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet. High up the hill, behind Matenadaran, the monumental statue of Mother Armenia stands on a vigil over the panorama of the city.
The Bagramian Avenue will take you further to the north and will bring you to the buildings of the Academy of Sciences, of the national Assembly and some Embassies. On the Tzitzernakaberd Hill with the panoramic view of the capital the Memorial to the Victims of the Genocide of 1915. The Sports and Concerts Complex is also here. A cascade of staircases and fountains connects the Complex with the Kievian Bridge and transport communications.
The Sports and Concerts Centre is a multifunctional construction. It has two halls, with 5000 and 1300 seats, with a common rotating stage between them. The arena in the Sports Hall can be transformed into a skating-rink.
Visitors of the Armenian capital can enjoy walking along the city streets and exploring many historical and cultural sights. Quite a number of cosy parks and public gardens accentuate 106 various colors and shades of tufa stone, the main construction material used in Yerevan. Visitors of the capital can also enjoy many cafes and small restaurants testing the rich Armenian cuisine, the famous Armenian cognac and good wines.
Armenia's rich history and culture are well documented in over 100 museums. Most of them are in Yerevan. The History Museum has the richest collection of historical data. Matenadaran is the treasury of Medieval Armenian culture. It has a collection of over 16000 manuscripts.
The National Art Gallery has three main expositions, those of Armenian, Russian and European arts. Out of the 20000 items of the collection only 3000 are permanently exhibited.
Visitors of the capital are welcome to the Erebuni Museum, the Museum of Amateur Art, the Wood Carvings Museum and the museums of many outstanding people - Charents, Tumanian, Sarian, Paradjanov, Isahakian, Khachatourian and others.
The Children's Art Museum has a unique collection of pictures from 130 countries. The Modern Art Museum exhibits works of contemporary artists who often blend Armenian traditions with European and American avant-garde.
There are 16 churches in Yerevan, and among them are St.Sargis (XIX c.), St.Hovhannes (XVIII c.), Mary the Virgin's (XVIII c.), Zoravor (XVIII c.), St.Gevork (IV c.), St.Gregory the Illuminator (XIX c.), and St.Resurrection (XVIII c.). Some ruined churches and chapels are being reconstructed or renovated. There is also a Russian Orthodox Church in Yerevan, and the Blue Shiite Mosque in the centre of the city is currently under reconstruction, too.
In 2001 the Armenian people together with the whole Christian world, celebrated the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in Armenia.
Yerevan is quite famous as a host of many international events, such as symposia, conferences, festivals, sports competitions. In September-October of 1996 it hosted the 32nd World Chess Olympiad and the 67th Congress of FIDE.
Visitors can buy a great variety of souvenirs in the stores and art bazaars. On weekends the art fairs provide a choice of painting and artefacts made of obsidian, silver, gold, wood, etc.
Zvartnots airport is the main gateway to Yerevan and the country. Its circular design and gorgeous construction are quite impressive.
Visiting Yerevan will leave you with unforgettable impressions about an ancient and, at the same time, modern city.
