The legendary city, which was born, according to generally accepted statistics, in 782 BC. e. was founded by the king of the ancient state of Urartu Argishti I as a fortress of Erebuni. According to legend, 6 thousand prisoners worked on the construction of fortifications, the remains of some of them can be contemplated today. The long-suffering and courageous history of the Armenian people is reflected in the majestic monuments of architecture and art in Yerevan. The city of gray and pink tuff conquers with its beauty once and for all. It will take a lot of time to see all its sights, but we will tell you what to see in Yerevan in one day on your own.

Cascade Complex

One of the grandiose monumental objects that has become a symbol – the Cascade complex is of great interest to tourists, despite the complete completion of its construction. The project of this truly unique building was developed at the beginning of the last century by the academician of architecture Tamanyan, whose name is imprinted in the sculpture and the name of the street.

In fact, this is a majestic building, on both sides of which steps descend to the square, decorated with bright flower beds and picturesque fountains. A 50-meter obelisk “Revived Armenia” is installed above the Cascade. Construction, interrupted by the tragic conflict in Karabakh, continues now. Inside the premises, it was decided to open exhibition pavilions, cafes and restaurants. But even in an unfinished form, a visit to the Cascade will be an unforgettable event.

Matenadaran Museum

Not every capital owns such a museum as the Matenadaran, which owns priceless rarities in the form of ancient manuscripts (17 thousand handwritten texts and 13 thousand various documents). Until 1920, the rarities were in the Etchmiadzin Monastery, and in 1959 they were transferred to the opened museum, which, in essence, became the Research Institute of Antiquities. The first printed books in Armenian (15th-18th century), multilingual manuscripts (2 thousand copies), handwritten texts in Armenian (13 thousand), including works on history, geography, philosophy, and medicine, found their place here.

In the museum-institute, you can get acquainted with the works of ancient scientists from other countries translated into Armenian, see examples of the writing of the state of Urartu. Matenadaran, whose name is translated as “book depository”, is of great importance in the study of the cultural and historical heritage of Armenia, Transcaucasia, the peoples of the Near and Middle East. The view of the museum building, created in the style of Armenian architecture of the 12th-13th centuries, as well as sculptural monuments to the founder of Armenian writing M. Mashtots and other outstanding figures of science and culture of the past are impressive.

Memorial Tsitsernakaberd

Probably every conscious inhabitant of the planet knows about the terrible fact of the unprecedented genocide of the Armenian people in 1915, which shocked the whole world with the cruelty of the Turks. The Tsitsernakaberd Memorial erected on top of a hill in the park of the same name has become a symbol of mournful memory of an unprecedented tragedy. The Monument to the Innocent Victims consists of a majestic round Mausoleum divided into 12 pylons, each of which represents a province of modern Turkey. The Eternal Flame always burns inside the building.

The top of the Mausoleum is crowned with a 40-meter peak-shaped obelisk, divided into 2 parts, symbolizing the division of the country into Western and Eastern Armenia. The obelisk is a sign confirming the rebirth of the Armenians. A funeral alley of fir trees has been laid to the Memorial, planted by representatives of politics and culture of different states who come here on official visits. Tsitsenrnakabed is a place of pilgrimage not only for Armenians, but also for people of various nationalities.

Monument “Mother Armenia”

One of the sacred objects is the “Mother Armenia” Memorial, which immortalized the memory of the military exploits of the Armenian people and became a symbol of their courage and fortitude. The 54-meter monument rises on a hill in Victory Park in a straight line with the central avenue of the city named after M. Mashtots. Until 1962, a statue of Stalin stood on a powerful pedestal lined with black tuff. After its dismantling (1967), a symbolic statue of “Mother Armenia” was installed instead.

The majestic and solemn sculpture in the form of a slender figure of a woman, with a sword in her hands, which she hides in a scabbard, has become a symbol of hope for the world. But at the feet of the “mother” lies a shield as a sign of readiness to defend the country in a moment of danger. As conceived by the architect Harutyunyan, the expressive statue is made of chased copper, which guarantees the noble durability of the monument. Today, various weapons are installed around the Monument, and in front of it, the Eternal Flame burns on the tomb of the unknown soldier and the Museum of the Armenian Defense Ministry is open.

Armenian Genocide Museum

The Genocide Museum was opened in the area of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial. A 2-level building has been created underground, the expositions of which shed light on the inhuman history of the Armenian genocide by the Turkish authorities. The museum, located underground, personifies the tomb, and the inner rooms of the 2nd level in the form of a circle symbolize the circles of hell. It is impossible to look at the mournful exhibits of the terrible museum, illustrating the inhuman torments that befell the unfortunate victims of the Ottoman monsters, without a shudder and “goosebumps”.

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3 halls of the upper tier introduce the causes and preparations for the genocide through authentic photos and documents. Here you can get acquainted with the materials on the condemnation of the Turkish atrocity by political and public international organizations. The 4th hall, located in the open air, is filled with 12 granite blocks, on which the words of condemnation of the genocide from the statements of famous personalities of the world are inscribed. The lower tier of the Museum is a kind of archive of documentary evidence of the tragedy, a library, study rooms, an assembly hall.

Blue Mosque

It is impossible to ignore the non-traditional for Armenians building of the Persian mosque, nicknamed the Blue by the people for the color of its dome and quotes from the Koran, written on its walls with blue paint. The unusually beautiful building embodies the history of Armenia, its relationship with Iran (Persia). Islamic church 18th century survived in the Soviet years, thanks to the initiative of the Armenian poet E. Charents, who proposed to make the mosque a neutral object by organizing a museum of history in it.

Now this beautiful architectural monument is very popular among Yerevan residents and tourists and plays the role of a cultural center, being a symbol of friendly relations between Christians and Muslims. The legal rights to the mosque for 99 years will belong to the Iranian embassy in Armenia by decision of the Armenian government. The oriental beauty of the decoration of the “Blue Mosque” is still pleasing to the eye of all visitors.

Erebuni Fortress

The ruins of the ancient fortress-city of Erebuni, which served in prehistoric times as the residence of King Argishti I, today is an open-air museum, the mother of Yerevan. Acquaintance with him gives a complete picture of the level of development of society on the territory of Armenia BC. The results of archaeological excavations accurately established the date of foundation of the fortress (782), as evidenced by the discovered cuneiform, which, in fact, was the official document of the “birth” of Erebuni. A visit to this amazing object is a fascinating immersion in the architecture, painting, culture and life of the inhabitants of Urartu.

Here are the remains of a luxurious royal palace, temples, various halls with traces of rich decoration. The layout of the fortress created by the scientists makes it possible to thoroughly determine the layout of all fortifications and restore their original appearance. Looking at the mighty walls made of clay bricks, at the intricate paintings with complex ornaments on the surviving frescoes, one cannot believe that all this was created almost 3 thousand years ago. Excavations continue and reveal for us new secrets of antiquity, striking the imagination with virtuosity and technique of work.

Republic Square

The main square of the city, which has a rather unusual shape of an oval and a trapezium connected to each other, Republic Square is the focus of magnificent buildings along its perimeter, each of which is a real work of art of architecture. Probably everyone knows that the main building materials are natural white, pink, black tuff and basalt. It is from these beautiful rocks that the surrounding square is built. Republic 5 buildings: House of Ministries, House of Government, Central Post Office, Marriott Armenia Hotel and Historical Museum of Armenia.

It is impossible not to admire the amazing arches, columns, elegant carved ornamental decorations in the national style on their facades. The plinth of gray basalt emphasizes the captivating harmony of multi-colored tuff, making the buildings incredibly beautiful. The author of the project, architect Tamanyan, has devoted more than 20 years to the design of this truly sacred place in the city. Now sq. The Republics is one of the most beautiful squares in the world, where 2 epochs meet – a bright modernity and an unforgettable past.

National Historical Museum of Armenia

Place of honor on the square. The Republic belongs to the State Museum of the History of Armenia, located in half of one of the monumental buildings (the second half is the Art Gallery). Founded in 1921, the Museum constantly replenishes its collections with new exhibits and can rightfully be proud of unique artifacts (400,000 copies) illustrating the most diverse periods of the country's historical development. 5 thematic departments: archeology, ethnography, numismatics, architectural and historical and modern history – contain extensive visual and informational material that gives a complete picture of the stages of the formation of the state.

The richest collection of the archaeological department is represented by bronze, ceramic, gold, and silver items produced BC. The exposition of finds during the excavations of Urartu – various types of vessels, containers for storing wine and grain, samples of weapons and cuneiform texts on stone, bronze sculptures and even military equipment of King Argishti. Each museum department has in its arsenal valuable rarities, which are extremely interesting to see.

Singing Fountains

The undoubted decoration of the square. Republics – an organic synthesis of water jets, light and music “Singing Fountains” fascinates with its beauty everyone who (especially in the evening hours) is nearby. The appearance of this miracle of engineering here is the merit of talented enthusiastic designers who, for the first time in the USSR, created a “singing fountain” according to the German model more than 50 years ago. A few years ago, the fountains underwent restoration and modernization, and became even more beautiful.

Water jets, gently swaying, descending and rising to the beat of multi-genre music and changing colors of the backlight, create a truly magical, enchanting spectacle. Every evening during the fountain season, crowds of tourists and locals gather around them, enjoying a truly magnetic contemplation. The creators of the Singing Fountains very well chose the background – the majestic building of the National Historical Museum.

Charles Aznavour Square

The name of the famous French chansonnier with Armenian roots, Charles Aznavour, was given to the square, which appeared in Yerevan long ago according to Tamanyan's plan. Now along its perimeter there are the main cultural institutions of the capital: the theater “Moscow”, the Drama Theater. Stanislavsky, House of Artists. Each of them occupies a magnificent building in the style of national architecture, which is a real decoration of the square. Its center is marked by the picturesque fountain “Signs of the Zodiac” (1983).

Expressive symbolic sculptures (12) framing the cup look very picturesque. The name of the beloved chansonnier Aznavour was given to the square in 2001, when he came to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the independence of the republic. It even has its own “Avenue of Stars”, founded in 2010. The first to be honored to be captured on it were the famous filmmakers of Armenia. A star with the name of Aznavour in his presence was opened in 2013 after the restoration of the square. Citizens and tourists love to visit this interesting and beautiful place.

Brandy factory “Ararat”

The famous symbol of Armenia – Ararat cognac, which is not inferior in popularity to the world brands of this noble drink, has been produced since 1887. During the long history of its existence, the manufacturing plant has been awarded medals at international cognac exhibitions more than once. Today, the elite enterprise is located in a beautiful monumental building equipped with high-tech equipment, and is part of the well-known French company Pernod Ricard Group.

The products of the Ararat brandy factory are in high demand among connoisseurs and lovers of the legendary drink. Visiting the plant, tourists have the opportunity to get acquainted with its rich history, visually see the process of cognac production, and taste several types of the drink. Opposite the plant is the wine and cognac factory “Noy”, in the museum of which the history of the development of the production of Armenian brandy is clearly presented. In a small company shop at the factory, you can buy any sort of Ararat cognac in a beautiful bottle.

Zoo

There is an object in the capital of Armenia, which the city can be justifiably proud of due to its unique organization. This is a zoo created in the pre-war (1941) year in the north-east side and occupying 25 hectares of the picturesque territory of the zoo. The uniqueness of the organization of the maintenance of the local fauna is the maximum proximity of the lifestyle of animals and birds to the wild habitat. It is based on the principle of “obtaining food”, when one or another animal is forced to make movements similar to those characteristic of a free lifestyle.

For example, a bear is given ice cubes with frozen fruits and vegetables; tigers – hang pieces of meat; other large felines are “packed” with food in cardboard boxes so that they can work hard to get food. This makes the inhabitants of the zoo active and “cheerful”, and watching their “meal” is a fascinating sight. It is especially interesting to visit the zoo on holidays, when real show performances with animation, puppet shows, performances of clowns and trainers are organized here. On the territory of the zoo there are unusual sculptures created by children from plastic bottles and other waste.

lovers park

On Marshal Baghramyan Avenue there is a favorite place for Yerevan residents – Lovers' Park, which received such a romantic name not so long ago (1995). The park has existed here since the 18th century, surrounding the chapel and the adjacent ancient cemetery. In Soviet times, it was called the Pushkin Garden, where, according to an old tradition, couples in love came and continue to come on a date. That is why the park, whose landscape design delights with its beauty, was officially renamed.

Cozy alleys, a charming artificial lake, picturesque ponds, a mini-waterfall, a lot of flower lawns, ornamental shrubs, green lawns, interesting sculptures create a magnificent picture that cannot be missed. After a solid reconstruction (2008), a summer cafe and an amphitheater appeared here, where concerts, solemn meetings and celebrations are held. The romantic symbol of the Park of Lovers is an expressive statue of the lyric poet G. Emin.

House Museum of Sergei Parajanov

The opening of the House-Museum of the famous film director Sergei Parajanov in 1991 is an amazing fact, confirming how sacredly the Armenian people honor the memory of their great brothers. Parajanov, an incredibly talented creator, a genius of art, an Armenian by nationality, who never lived in Armenia, bequeathed all his artistic works to the homeland of his ancestors. The artist, director, sculptor, musician, fighter for freedom of speech, whose name was given to one of the planets, died in Yerevan in 1990.

The museum began to be created during the lifetime of the genius, in 1988, tragic for Armenia by a terrible earthquake, therefore it was opened after the death of Parajanov. The organizers tried to truly recreate the interior of the director's house in Tbilisi, to present his personal belongings. But the main exhibits of the museum are the creative works of an outstanding artist: drawings, collages, sketches for feature films, dolls, ceramics (600 copies). The 2 Memorial Rooms contain photos, documents, reviews of critics and contemporaries, letters and other evidence of the bright and difficult life of the greatest figure in cinema and art.