Unusual places in Yerevan. All about traveling to Yerevan: attractions, culture and tips for tourists

More than a third of the population of Armenia lives in Yerevan. The city is the cultural, economic and political center of the country. If we consider 782 BC (when the Erebuni fortress was founded) as the date of the founding of Yerevan, it turns out that the Armenian capital older than Rome. There are no magnificent palaces or monumental baroque facades here, but there is a unique charm of streets, parks and small squares.

It took Yerevan a long time to recover from the devastating events of the 1990s. After years of decline and lack of funding, many buildings and entire areas are in need of renovation. However, today it is clear that the city is being revived, turning into a beautiful and attractive place for tourists, where there are many worthy attractions.

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What to see and where to go in Yerevan?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

1. Complex "Cascade"

The architectural composition created according to the project of A.O. Tomanyan. It consists of several elements: a museum (Cafesjian Center for the Arts), stairs, a fountain and observation platforms from where panoramic view to Yerevan. The museum's collection consists of an extensive collection of glassware that once belonged to millionaire Levon Cafesjian, as well as interesting works contemporary art.

2. Sculpture “Smoking Woman”

The original work of the modern sculptor F. Botero is located in the park opposite the Cascade complex. It represents the figure of a lush naked woman reclining on a pedestal with a cigarette in her hands. The installation of the sculpture caused a controversial reaction in society. Some townspeople argued that this was a challenge to traditional moral principles, while others, on the contrary, considered it very original.

3. Matenadaran

A research center and museum where ancient Armenian manuscripts of great historical value are stored. Translated from Armenian, “matenadaran” means “repository of manuscripts.” Today there are several thousand manuscripts in the collection. It is believed that it has existed since the 5th century and was founded by the creator of Armenian writing - M. Mashtots.

4. Tsitsernakaberd

Memorial complex dedicated to the numerous victims of the genocide of the Armenian nation in 1915. The memorial was built on the hill of the same name in the 1960s on the initiative of local authorities. It consists of a 44-meter stele split in two, a cone of stone slabs with an eternal flame burning inside, and a 100-meter-high Wall of Mourning. In 1995, the complex acquired an underground museum.

5. Armenian Genocide Museum

The opening of the exhibition was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the genocide. According to the creators' idea, the underground building of the museum is intended to symbolize the tomb in which more than a million lives have been “buried” since 1915. The collection is housed on two floors. Its exhibits tell the story of the terrible tragedy of the Armenian people, who had to endure simply inhuman suffering during the persecution organized by the Ottoman Empire.

6. Erebuni Fortress

The ruins of an ancient city in the Ararat Valley, where the state of Urartu flourished long before our era. Presumably, Erebuni was built under King Argishti I in the 8th century BC and served as a defensive structure. The founding date of the fortress is often considered the year of the founding of Yerevan. In the museum located near Erebuni you can see a collection of valuable artifacts from the ancient kingdom of Urartu.

7. Republic Square

The central square of the Armenian capital, built according to the design of A.O. Tomanyan in the middle of the 20th century. Its architectural appearance is formed by five buildings located along the perimeter. Among them is the Museum of the History of Armenia with a worthy collection of paintings by famous artists. In the middle of the square there is an illuminated singing fountain. The facades of the houses are covered with pink and white tuff, the bases are made of basalt.

8. Armenian government building

The monumental structure made of tuff and basalt is located on Republic Square. It was erected in 1926-52. The facade is decorated with columns and high arched spans. Above the central arch there is a tower with a clock dial. The architectural style of the building consists of a mixture of classical and medieval Armenian architecture. Today some rooms are used for exhibitions.

9. Charles Aznavour Square

Charles Aznavour was born into a family of Armenian emigrants. To perpetuate the name of this famous chansonnier, in 2001 the area near the Moscow cinema was renamed and named after the singer. He himself personally attended the opening ceremony of the renovated square. Of special note is the cinema building itself, built in the 1930s in the style of constructivism, which was popular at that time.

10. Northern Avenue

A pedestrian street stretching 1.5 km from Republic Square to Opera Square. The avenue was laid on the site where private houses were previously located. The government bought the territory from the population and began construction only in 2001, although the project was conceived by A.O. Tomanyan at the beginning of the 20th century. The opening of the first part of the avenue took place in 2006, the second and third – in 2007. Along the street there are office buildings, luxury residential properties, restaurants and shops.

11. Historical Museum and Art Gallery of Armenia

The gallery and museum are located in one of the buildings on the central Republic Square. The museum exhibition consists of ethnographic, archaeological, numismatic and historical departments. The collection of paintings includes works by Armenian, Russian and Western European artists. There are paintings by Aivazovsky, Levitan, Repin, Rubens, Tintoretto, Boucher.

12. Armenian Opera and Ballet Theater

A full-fledged musical theater was created on the basis of the opera class of the Yerevan Conservatory in 1932. A separate building was built by 1940. The southern façade of the stage is located opposite Freedom Square - one of the most beautiful places in Yerevan. There are monuments to the national poet of Armenia O.T. Tumanyan and composer A.A. Spendiarov.

13. Sergei Parajanov Museum

S. Parajanov is an avant-garde director who glorified Armenian cinema throughout the world. He was born and lived in Tbilisi. In 1991, after the death of the master, a museum dedicated to his name was opened in Yerevan. The exhibition consists of the director’s personal belongings, as well as artwork, from which one can get an idea of ​​the difficult life and creative path of this extraordinary person. Inside the museum, the interior of Parajanov's Tbilisi house has been recreated.

14. Dalan Art Gallery

The gallery presents works by contemporary artists from the post-Soviet space. Many paintings are of great cultural value. The museum offers guided tours and an audio guide. There is also a souvenir shop where you can buy interesting designer items, and a cozy cafe in the courtyard, where visitors relax from the bustle of the city with a cup of excellent Armenian coffee.

15. “Megerian Carpet”

Carpet factory and carpet museum of the Megeryan family. Already the third generation of this family is engaged in the manufacture and restoration of carpets (the enterprise was founded in 1917 in the USA). In 2002, the Megeryans opened a workshop in Yerevan, which over time grew into a large factory, larger than their other production facilities. All products are handmade to private orders using high quality wool and natural dyes.

16. Yerevan Brandy Factory “ArArAt”

The legendary plant is one of the symbols of Armenia. The famous “Ararat” is produced here, and several exclusive varieties of cognac are bottled exclusively for private orders: “Cilicia”, “Sparapet”, “Erebuni”, “Noah’s Ark”. The production was founded in 1887 by merchant N. Tairyants. You can visit the plant on a guided tour.

17. Yerevan Railway Station

The building was built in the 1950s on the very spot where the first railway line connecting Tiflis and Alexandropol ran at the beginning of the 20th century. A complete reconstruction of the complex was carried out in 2010. During the renovation work, historical interiors were restored, communications were updated and modern equipment was installed to meet the needs of the increased flow of passengers.

18. Blue Mosque

The temple was erected in the middle of the 18th century by order of Khan Huseynali Khan Qajar, who at that time was the ruler of the Erivan Khanate. The Blue Mosque symbolized the strength of Armenian-Iranian friendship. Today it is the only functioning mosque in the capital of the country, simultaneously serving as the spiritual center of the Iranian community. The dome and part of the façade of the temple are covered with blue tiles.

19. Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator

The temple was built in 2001 according to the design of S. Kyurkchan with donations from the Manukyan, Gevorgyan and Nazaryan families. After Tsminda Sameba in Tbilisi, it is the largest Christian cathedral in Transcaucasia. It consists of three buildings: the Church of St. Queen Ashkhen, the Church of St. Tiridates III and the main building itself. The idea of ​​construction belonged to Catholicos Karekin I.

20. Church of Saint Zoravor

One of oldest temples Yerevan, built at the end of the 17th century. It is located in the central part of the capital. Previously, in its place there were a monastery and a chapel at the tomb of St. Ananias, which were destroyed during the earthquake. According to legend, the first temple was founded in the 7th century. The church was restored in the 1970s, after which it became operational again.

21. Monument “Mother Armenia”

A monument erected in 1967 in honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. It represents a determined figure of a woman with a sword in her hands and a shield at her feet, personifying the Motherland. The monument is located on the territory of Haghtanak Park in the center of Yerevan. Inside the powerful pedestal there is a museum dedicated to the Second World War and the events of the Karabakh wars.

22. Flea market "Vernissage"

Antique market between st. Buzanda and st. Arama, where antique books, coins, paintings, handmade figurines, carpets and jewelry are sold. Many connoisseurs of antiquities, art historians and jewelers prefer to shop here. Tourists can purchase unique souvenirs at Vernissage for quite a price. moderate prices or just stroll among the stalls with unusual things.

23. Yerevan Zoo

The zoo was created in 1941 on the initiative of Professor A. Sarkisov. On this moment Its territory is home to about 300 species of animals (almost 3 thousand individuals), which arrived here from different parts of the planet. Conditions close to natural have been created for the animals, even to the point of simulating independent acquisition of food. The zoo is located on a green area of ​​25 hectares in the north-eastern part of the city.

24. Lovers' Park

City public park in the central part of the capital of Armenia. Its history began in the 18th century. At that time it was located in the suburbs of Yerevan and was called Kozerna Garden. In the second half of the 20th century, the place became popular with couples in love, so in 1995 the city authorities decided to rename the square. In 2005-2008, the park was completely reconstructed.

25. Khor Virap

The monastery is at the foot of Mount Ararat, located near the Turkish border and about 40 km from Yerevan. According to biblical texts (or their interpretation), Noah’s Ark landed at the site of the monastery after the end of the Flood. The monastery was founded in the 7th century on a hill where it was previously located ancient city Artashat is the capital of the Armenian state under King Artashes I.

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1. Yerevan Cascade

A giant staircase made of white travertine (572 steps, more than 300 meters) on the slope of Kanaker Hill, leading to the majestic obelisk “Revived Armenia”. The cascade was built in Soviet times according to the design of the “father of the city” architect Alexander Tamanyan, in the 2000s it underwent a large-scale reconstruction carried out with the money of an American businessman of Armenian origin Gerard Cafesjian, whose parents emigrated to the United States from Western Armenia (now the territory of Turkey), fleeing from genocide.

Coordinates 40.1911, 44.51562.

2. Matenadaran

Matenadaran is a repository of ancient manuscripts and the pride of all Armenians. Inside the cathedral-like building are more than 23,000 manuscripts, documents and maps. It is based on the collection of the Etchmiadzin Monastery, nationalized in 1920. In front of the building there is a statue of Saint Mesrop Mashtots showing his alphabet to a student. In the outer gallery of Matenadaran there are carved stone tombs and khachkars brought here from all over Armenia.

How to get there: coordinates 40.19193, 44.52085, address st. Mashtots 53. You can get there from Place de France by trolleybuses 1 and 9. Operating mode: Tue-Sat 10:00-16:30.

Excursions around Armenia from local residents

If you don’t have a car, then to explore the sights of Armenia it is best to take individual tour from local residents. Your guides will be writers, artists, photographers, journalists - who are in love with their country and know almost everything about it.

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Yerevan, all day they will take you to the most interesting places, they will tell you a lot interesting stories and legends, and in the evening they will return back - tired, but very satisfied.

At the moment, Yerevan offers many different options - both overview and thematic (for example, a tour of “wine” Armenia or the most interesting monasteries). To see all available options, click
"View all excursions."

At the booking stage, you will need to pay online only 20% of the excursion cost - you will give the rest of the amount to the guide before it starts.

3. Tsitsernakaberd

This is one of the most important attractions of Yerevan and all of Armenia. In 1964, the leadership of the Armenian SSR turned to Moscow with a request to erect a monument to all Armenians who fell in the First world war. The then Union leadership was not particularly interested in that period of national history and no one was in a hurry to give permission - then on April 24, 1965, a mass demonstration took place in Yerevan for the first time in the Soviet Union, in which about 100 thousand people took part. In the year of the 50th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, people demanded to build a memorial and perpetuate the memory of the victims.

As a result, the Union leadership gave the go-ahead and a gigantic complex of Tsitsernakaberd (“Fortress of the Swallow”) appeared in the western part of Yerevan, consisting of a stele split in two and an eternal flame framed by a cone of 12 marble slabs. The stela symbolizes Western and Eastern Armenia (Western currently belongs to Turkey), and the slabs symbolize the 12 lost regions of the country.

How to get there: coordinates 40.18582, 44.4903, minibus to the Hamalir stop, walk through the Hrazdan stadium, or from the Barekamutyun metro station along the Kievyan Bridge. Operating mode: Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00.

4. Erebuni Fortress-Museum

Erebuni is another source of pride for all Armenians. The fortress dates back to 782 BC. - that is, she is three decades older. And since the age of Yerevan is usually considered from the moment of the construction of Erebuni, it turns out that the capital of Armenia is older than one of the most ancient and greatest cities in the world. There is a museum on the territory of the fortress where you can get acquainted with the life of the ancient kingdom of Urartu - the predecessor of Armenia.

How to get there: address Erebuni street, 38; coordinates 40.14138, 44.5353. From the Zoravar Arndranik metro station you can take trolleybus 2. Operating mode: Tue-Sun 10:00-15:00.

5. Lake Sevan

Along with Mount Ararat, Sevan is one of the most famous natural symbols of the country. Therefore, visiting Armenia and not getting out for at least half a day famous lake- it means you simply won’t see Armenia. Sevan is located only 70 km from Yerevan, and almost all of its attractions are very conveniently located along the western (closest to the capital) coast.

If you have time and desire, you can drive around the lake, at the same time looking at the landscapes of the Gegharkunik region, in the center of which Sevan is located.

Coordinates: 40.56373, 45.0111 (Sevanavank Monastery); 63 km northeast of Yerevan. From Yerevan Northern Bus Station you can take a passing minibus to Dilijan or Ijevan. Stop at the peninsula, from it to the monastery 1 km on foot. Also, minibuses to Sevan go from the Yeritasardakan metro station.

6. Tsaghkadzor

Tsaghkadzor(“Gorge of Flowers”) – the only one in Armenia ski resort, formerly the All-Union Olympic training center. It is a small picturesque village located in a mountain valley. The ski lifts of Tsakhkadzor also operate in the summer - at this time many Yerevan residents come here, escaping from their city melted by the heat.

Coordinates 40.53485, 44.69752; 50 km northeast of Yerevan, 5 km from the city of Hrazdan.

7. Garni pagan temple

The unique temple of the pagan god Mithra is the only one in the Caucasus and in general in the territory of the former USSR. Located in a very picturesque place - on a rocky ledge above the gorge of the Azat River, it looks like a greatly reduced copy of the Athenian Parthenon.

Until the middle of the last century, the temple lay in ruins, until it was restored by Soviet restorers under the leadership of Alexander Saginyan (the original basalt blocks were not found in the required quantity, and new ones were used - and this is very clearly visible).

Coordinates 40.11256, 44.72962; 28 km east of Yerevan. From Yerevan you can get to Garni by passing minibus 255 or 266 to the village of Goght - departure from the Gai Pogots bus station. The cost is 300 drams (RUB/$), travel time is about an hour. Operating mode: May-November Tue-Sat 9:00-22:00, Sun until 15:30, December-April Tue-Sat 9:00-17:30, Sun until 15:30.

8. “Monastery of the Spear” Geghard

Geghard– one of the most popular attractions in Armenia and a place of religious pilgrimage. The word “Geghard” means “spear” - for a long time the tip of the sacred spear with which the Roman centurion Longinus pierced Jesus crucified on the cross was kept in the monastery, saving him from torment. The complex is partially located in caves - the churches of the monastery form a single space with them.

Coordinates: 40.14029, 44.81786; 40 km southeast of Yerevan. First by minibus to Garni, then 8 km on foot or by taxi (3000 drams/400 rubles/6.2 $). Operating mode: Mon-Sun 08:00-19:00.

9. Khor Virap Monastery

The name of the monastery means “Deep Pit” - it was here that the Christian Grigor languished in the dungeon, who after his liberation became the baptist of Armenia. Due to its location (almost on the border with Turkey) Khor Virap is almost the best observation deck to Mount Ararat, sacred to Armenians. Currently, the mountain is located on Turkish territory, and this fact is extremely painful for all Armenians - they firmly believe that one day Ararat will again be Armenian.

Coordinates: 39.87819, 44.57575; located 48 km southeast of Yerevan. From Yerevan you can take a minibus to the city of Artashat - ask the driver to stop at the turn towards Khor Virap. From this place to the monastery itself you need to walk about 4 km. Operating mode: daily 9:00-18:00.

10. Areni

Areni is the center of Armenian winemaking. Wine is produced here from local Areni grapes with the addition of Saperavi. The vineyards are located in the Vayots Dzor valley and their area is very small - so local wine is produced in relatively small quantities.

Areni also produces famous Armenian fruit wines, as well as sun-dried fruits. Almost all enterprises - both large wineries and small family wineries - offer tastings for tourists.

The sights of the village are located on its northern outskirts - this is the Church of the Virgin Mary with reliefs by the sculptor Momik (1321), the ruins of the palace of Prince Orbelyan of the 13th century and the three-arched bridge of 1280.

How to get there: coordinates 39.72059, 45.1837; 12 km southeast of Yeghegnadzor. You can get there by passing minibus to Goris.

11. Noravank Monastery

Founded in the 13th century at the end of a long, narrow gorge, Noravank is one of Armenia's most spectacular landmarks. Noravank is especially beautiful at sunset, when the soft light highlights the red rocks surrounding the monastery. A stunningly picturesque road leads from the Yerevan-Goris highway to the monastery, laid among rocks red from excess iron:

In addition to its nature component, Noravank is famous for its collection of Armenian khachkars (stone crosses) - one of the best in Armenia.

How to get there: coordinates 39.68461, 45.23305; 120 km southeast of Yerevan, 8 km southeast of Areni. From the Yerevan Kilikia bus station by minibus to Goris (3000 drams/400 rubles/6$), get off near the turn to Noravank. Then 8 km by hitchhiking or walking. Operating hours: daylight hours.

12. Caravanserai of Prince Orbelyan at Selim Pass

The ancient caravanserai is located on the Selim Pass - highest point mountain road connecting the regions of Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor. Once upon a time, the caravan Silk Road passed here, and in 1332, Prince Chesar Orbelyan ordered the construction of a shelter for merchants and travelers on the pass - so a basalt structure decorated with bas-reliefs arose on a windswept mountain plateau. A three-nave hall, a vestibule, a chapel and a living space with small rooms have survived to this day.

Coordinates: 39.94957, 45.23588. You can drive along the Selim Pass only from April to October. In winter, the pass is covered with snow and is closed to transport.

13. Jermuk balneological resort

“Armenian Borjomi” and simply one of the best water resorts in Transcaucasia. Here, in addition to many healing mineral springs (the word Jermuk itself means “hot spring”), such important factors as the predominance of clear weather, the absence of fog in spring and autumn, windless and little snowy winter and exceptionally clean mountain air coincided. All this led to the emergence of year-round balneological resort Jermuk, the most famous in Armenia.

How to get there: coordinates 39.84038, 45.66625 (Drinking Gallery), 175 km southeast of Yerevan. From Yerevan to Jermuk you can take a bus from the Kilikia bus station.

14. Karahunj

Karahunj are basalt stones, which, due to their location, are often called the “Armenian Stonehenge”. From a certain angle, the stone blocks look like frozen warriors, which is why they are often called Zorats Karer - “stone army.” Scientists do not have a common opinion regarding the purpose of Karahunj - whether it is an ancient observatory, or a cemetery, or a cattle pen.

How to get there: coordinates 39.55172, 46.02872, 205 km southeast of Yerevan. You can take any minibus from Yerevan to Goris (ask the driver to drop you off at Karahunj) - the complex is located 500 meters from the road.

15. Tatev Monastery

One of the most famous and revered monasteries in Armenia and the most interesting attraction in the southern part of the country. Tatev Monastery is located in the Syunik region of Armenia, 20 km from the city of Goris on a mountain plateau near a cliff, near the village of the same name. It was built in the 9th-13th centuries, although it was founded much earlier - in the 4th century. Already in the 10th century, the Tatev monastery numbered about a thousand inhabitants and was the largest among the 48 monasteries of the Syunik kingdom.

Not far from the monastery is the world's longest reversible cable car"Wings of Tatev".

How to get there: coordinates 39.37963, 46.24814; 250 km from Yerevan and 20 km from Goris. From Yerevan by minibus from the Cilicia bus station to Goris, then by taxi to the monastery. Operating mode: Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00 (in winter 10:00-18:00).

Operating hours of the “Wings of Tatev” cable car: from 9:00 to 19:45 (19:45 is the time of departure of the last car from the Tatev station), the cable car is closed on Mondays.

16. Cave city Khndzoresk

An ancient fortress city, where people lived constantly in the middle of the last century. Khndzoresk is located 10-15 minutes by car from Goris in the direction of the Karabakh border. It would probably have been difficult to choose a more inconvenient place to live, but among the people who lived in these parts two hundred years ago, “convenience” was not the main criterion for assessing the suitability of housing - the main goal was to survive the permanent invasions of infidels.

In addition to the recently inhabited caves, Khndzoresk is known for its very picturesque suspension bridge over the gorge.

How to get there: coordinates 39.50456, 46.43505. From Yerevan from the Kilikia bus station by minibus to Goris, then by taxi to cave city. Operating hours: daylight hours.

17. Defense Memorial of Mount Musa Dag (Musaler)

In 1915, at the height of the deportations and murders of Armenians by the Turks, residents of several Armenian villages in Cilicia (currently Mediterranean coast Turkey) were ordered by the Ottoman authorities to prepare for deportation. The villagers, having already heard about the atrocities of the Turks, refused to submit and went to the top of Mount Musa Dag - about 5 thousand people in total. Despite the lack of weapons, they held the line against regular units of the Turkish army for almost two months, inflicting serious damage on them. The Armenians who survived this heroic defense were saved by a passing French cruiser.

Coordinates: 40.17063, 44.37203; near the village of Ptgunk.Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:30-17:30.

18. Zvartnots Temple

Ruin Zvatnots(“Temple of the Vigilant Angels”) are located in the very place where, according to legend, the meeting of the Armenian king Trdat III with Gregory the Illuminator, later the “baptist” of Armenia and its first Catholicos, took place.

The temple was built in 643-652 by Catholicos Nerses III the Builder - it turned out so successfully that the Byzantine Emperor Constant II, who was present at the consecration of the temple, wanted to build something similar.

Coordinates: 40.16064, 44.33616; 10 km west of Yerevan.Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun until 15:00.

19. Churches of St. Hripsime and Gayane in Vagharshapat

It is not for nothing that Vagharshapat is called the “city of three churches”. In addition to the main monastery for all Armenians, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, there are two ancient churches dedicated to the virgin martyrs Hripsima and Gayana. Both churches are considered masterpieces of Armenian architecture and are included in the World Heritage List cultural heritage UNESCO.

Saint Hripsime Church was built in 618 in honor of one of the 40 Christian virgins who came to Armenia from the Roman Empire in the hope of getting rid of persecution. But Hripsime had the misfortune to please the then king of Armenia Trdat III. The monarch wanted her as his wife - and when Hripsime replied that “she belongs only to Christ,” he was offended and ordered her to be stoned. Then, according to legend, the loving king fell into madness, from which only the Christian Grigor, who until then had languished in prison, could cure him. Having been healed, the king himself became a devout Christian, and Grigor became the Enlightener and “baptist” of Armenia.

Church of St. Gayane was built in honor of the abbess of those 40 Christian virgins, who was also killed by order of the touchy Trdat. The church is valuable because it has survived to this day almost in its original form - the relics of Saint Gayane rest in its crypt.

St. Hripsime Church coordinates: 40.16699, 44.30946; 1.5 km east of Holy Etchmiadzin (on the road to Yerevan).

Coordinates of the Church of St. Gayane: 40.1575, 44.29184, 200 meters south of St. Etchmiadzin.

20. Holy Echmiadzin

Echmiadzin- this is a kind of “Armenian Vatican”, the most main temple of all Armenians, Mayar-Tachar (“Mother Church”). By the way, the town itself, which was called Etchmiadzin in Soviet times, was renamed Vagharshapat in 1995.

The name Etchmiadzin is translated from Armenian as “The Descent of the Only Begotten.” According to legend, Saint Gregory the Illuminator could not choose a place for the temple for a long time. And then he had a vision in a dream: in a ray of light, the Only Begotten Son of God (Miatsin) descended from heaven to earth. In his hand he held a golden hammer - hitting the ground with it, he indicated the place for the future temple.

Coordinates: 40.16183, 44.29111, 15 km from Yerevan. Can be reached by minibuses and bus 111 from the Kilikia bus station. Taxi from Yerevan 3000 drams (400 rubles/6.3$). Operating mode: Cathedral Mon-Sun 7:00-20:00; museum Tue-Sat 10:30-17:00, break from 13:00 to 14:00, ticket 1500 drams/200 rubles/3.15$.

21. Historical and Archaeological Museum “Metsamor”

Archaeological artifacts discovered during excavations are presented here ancient settlement Metsamor. In the IV-II millennium BC there was a relatively highly developed economic and Cultural Center- the city had a large fortress, an observatory in the form of a ziggurat pyramid, and a large temple complex.

Dedicated to the battle that took place on May 21-28, 1918 between the Armenian militia and the regular Turkish army that invaded Eastern Armenia. Considering the genocide that the Turks committed against the Armenians in Western Armenia, this battle was not for freedom and independence, but for the very right to life. The Armenians won and saved Eastern Armenia from the fate of Western Armenia. In terms of its place in national historiography and self-awareness, Sardarapat for Armenians is something like Stalingrad for Russians.

Coordinates: 40.08989, 43.95594, located near the village of Araks, 45 km from Yerevan, 10 km southwest of Armavir. Operating mode: Tue-Sun 9:00-17:30. Inspect museum complex better with a tour.

23. Mount Aragats

Aragats(4090 m) – the most high mountain modern Armenia (Ararat is de facto not Armenian now). According to legend, Aragats was the sister of Ararat, but one day they quarreled and were separated forever. Around the mountain is the marz (region) of Aragatsotn, famous for its stunning landscapes and interesting sights - the “fortress in the clouds” of Amberd (IMHO, these are the most impressive ruins of Armenia), mountain lake Kari-Lich (the only place above 3000 meters that can be reached by a regular car), Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and others.

Amberd fortress coordinates: 40.38961, 44.22581.

Coordinates of Lake Kari-Lich: 40.47377, 44.18447.

Byurakan coordinates: 40.33084, 44.27342.

24. Haghpat Monastery

Haghpat is considered one of the most “landscape” monasteries in Armenia - it rises on a mountain plateau above the Yerevan-Tbilisi highway. In 1768-1795, the great Armenian poet Sayat Nova lived in the monastery, exiled here by the Georgian king Heraclius II from. Having learned about the Persian invasion of Tiflis, Sayat Nova left the monastery and went to the Georgian capital to save his family. He succeeded - but the poet himself was killed by the Persians on Tbilisi Meydani Square.

The Haghpat Monastery is famous for its ancient khachkars - including the khachkar of Christ the Savior, an internationally recognized masterpiece of Armenian stone carvers.

How to get there: coordinates 41.09371, 44.71198. Minibus to Alaverdi from the Northern Bus Station of Yerevan and from the Zoravar Andranik metro station, then a taxi to the monastery. Opening hours: 08:00-19:00.

25. Sanahin Monastery

The Sanahin monastery complex of the 10th-13th centuries rises on a mountain plateau above the Debed River gorge. Sanahin is located near the Haghpat monastery and is very similar in appearance - for this reason, these two monasteries are often combined into a single tourist and pilgrimage route.

Transcaucasian countries - great place for family and single recreation, health improvement, dating ancient history and culture. Having looked, the traveler can go to neighboring Georgia, no less interesting and beautiful country- Armenia, and more specifically - to its capital Yerevan. It is full of magnificent landscapes, monuments, ancient churches and monasteries - the following list will help you not to get lost in the city.

The first thing you need to see is the legendary Mount Ararat, smoothly rising to the sky. It appeared many thousands of years ago as a result of active displacement of earth layers; its highest points, emerging from one base (Sis and Masis), are visible from a distance of tens of kilometers.

As a result of complex geopolitical transformations, Ararat is now territorially part of Turkey. Part of the mountain adjoins Armenia, however, in order to climb, the traveler will have to cross another border. There are usually no problems with this, but there is no big point in entering Turkey: Ararat, like all mountains, is much more beautiful from afar, and best views They open from Yerevan.

According to a well-known legend, it was on this mountain that Noah’s ark stopped at the end of the Flood; in the middle of the last century, archaeological research was carried out on the territory of Ararat and even the remains of ancient boards were found, but the legend never received scientific confirmation - which, however, does not prevent it from inspiring hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

The historical name of Ararat is Agri-Dag; its highest points rise to 5164 meters (Masis) and 3897 meters (Sis). Average height Greater Ararat - 4365 meters; from one peak to another - almost 12 meters. The perimeter of the sole is about 130 kilometers; The abundant Araks River flows right under the mountain.

From time to time, the Holy Mountain of Armenia exhibits volcanic activity; the last such episode dates back to 1842. Research shows that eruptions occurred as early as the third century BC; during one of them, which occurred after the adoption of Christianity, an Armenian village at the foot of the mountain and the ancient monastery of St. James were destroyed. Today there is no threat, and a tourist can completely calmly observe Ararat from afar - or still decide to climb under the supervision of an instructor.

Ararat - how to see and how much it costs:

• cost of visit: free.

At the foot beautiful Ararat there is an ancient monastery of Khor Virap, or “Deep Prison”, built of hewn stone slabs. Getting to it from Yerevan is not difficult - you can use the same regular bus or order a taxi, paying the driver for the wait.

However, it will be much more useful for a traveler to purchase a comprehensive excursion, which involves visiting not only the monastery, but also a nearby winery and another Armenian shrine - the Noravank Monastery. The average cost of a trip accompanied by a guide is 12,000 drams; You should take approximately the same amount with you to buy souvenirs.

The modern monastery was founded at the end of the 17th century; simultaneously with the construction of cells, refectories and work premises, a church was erected in the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The name Khor Virap is directly related to the history of the Armenian saint Gregory the Illuminator. Living under King Trdat III (back in the days of paganism), he discovered his religion and was imprisoned for almost twenty years.

After this time, Gregory was again brought to the king, but already seriously ill. The saint persuaded Trdat the Third not only to be baptized, but also to recognize Christianity as the state religion of Armenia; Many wall paintings in the monastery are dedicated to the event, which is of paramount importance both for the country and for the entire Transcaucasia.

The prison of Gregory the Illuminator exists to this day; this is a deep (about six meters) and quite wide hole into which a spiral staircase leads. The approximate time of creation of the prison is the second century AD; a chapel in the name of the saint was erected in the fifth century. The place is open for inspection: a visitor to the monastery just needs to walk a few meters from the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a south-west direction or check with the monks for directions.

The central temple of Khor Virap itself is also noteworthy. The church, called Surb Astvatsatsin in Armenian, was built at the end of the 17th century and stands in the same place where the first chapel of St. Gregory was located. There is reason to believe that both the unpreserved and the new buildings were built on the model of Armenian pagan temples; One of the proofs of this is the orientation of the altar not to the east, but to the south.

In the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, divine services are held every day, in which any visitor to the monastery can participate. The main thing is not to forget about basic decency: do not wear too revealing clothes on the excursion and do not interfere with others present with your behavior.

Khor Virap - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Ararat district, Lusarat village;
• travel: on regular bus from Yerevan, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 09:00 to 18:00;
• cost of visit: free.

The ancient fortress, built by order of the Urartian king Argishti the First in the sixth century BC, is located on the outskirts of Yerevan; getting to it is easier than to Ararat and the adjacent monastery - just drive a few stops on municipal transport.

The total area of ​​the complex is about 85 hectares; Archaeological research is regularly carried out on the territory of the fortress. During the first of them, in the 50s of the last century, ancient samples of cuneiform were discovered; Based on this find, scientists suggest that in ancient times Yerevan was called the same as the fortress itself - Erebuni.

The main purpose of the building is to control trade routes, passing along Lake Sevan. Stability against enemy attacks was guaranteed by walls up to two to three meters thick and an average height of 12 meters. Despite the fact that earthquakes often occurred in Armenia, the masonry of almost three thousand years ago has been preserved to this day. The fortress is surrounded by a “sentinel path”, allowing guards to walk around the perimeter walls from the outside. It is also interesting that the residents of Urartu were among the first in the world to use mortar to fasten bricks - for that time it was a truly revolutionary practice.

In the northern part of the complex a palace was built, from the windows of which a view of Ararat opens; By crossing from the first building, reserved for the king, one could get into the second - “internal”, created in case of deep defense. The ruler's chambers and office premises decorated with tuff, which is found in abundance in this area; on the walls of the buildings there were traces of plaster and even bright blue paint, especially loved by the ancestors of the Armenians. The traveler will be able to see several examples of Urartu painting; Inside some rooms, thousand-year-old broken clay floors covered with straw have been preserved.

The main sanctuaries of Erebuni are the temple of the supreme god Khaldi, which differs from others in size, a square tower in front of the entrance and a luxurious colonnade. The second most important temple is Ivarsha, which has no windows and is illuminated by a hole in the ceiling. The opinions of historians differ: some believe that the temple belonged to a separate nationality, which later joined the Armenian nation, while others believe that it was dedicated to a local deity and open to everyone. Be that as it may, today every traveler can visit both temples, as well as Erebuni as a whole - not forgetting to look at the museum located under the walls of the fortress along the way. It is strongly recommended to take water or other soft drinks with you: there are no shops or cafes on site.

Erebuni - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Khachik Dashtents street;
• visiting hours: daily from 10:30 to 16:30, except Mondays;
• cost of visit: for preschool children - free; for schoolchildren - 300 drams; for adults - 1000 drams.

The monument dedicated to Armenia and all those who died for the freedom of the country is located in the central district of Yerevan - in Victory Park (Hakhtanak). Until the 60s of the last century, a monument to Stalin was erected on the pedestal; after the change of the country's leadership, the old statue was removed, and its place was taken by the work of the sculptor Harutyunyan.

The height of “Mother of Armenia” is almost 23 meters, and the entire composition as a whole is 50 meters. The pedestal is made of stone blocks; The monument is made of hammered copper. One of the prototypes of the monument was the Armenian partisan Sose Mayrik, who participated in the national liberation movement and was especially revered by the residents of Yerevan.

The pedestal was designed by sculptor Israelyan in the form of a traditional Armenian three-nave church; This is a full-fledged building, which has been in active use since its foundation. Nowadays the Museum of the Second World War and the Karabakh War, owned by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, is open here. Admission is free for everyone; Inside there are several hundred exhibits (from samples of weapons and ammunition used by both sides, to original documents, letters from the front and photographs).

The monument, as is customary in the countries of the former USSR, is visited by newlyweds; Tourists often take pictures next to it. Going down the hill, the traveler will find several excellent cafes and restaurants, as well as souvenir shops. In the latter, in particular, you can purchase “Mother of Armenia” figurines, calendars, magnets with her image and similar products.

It’s good to walk near the monument in the late evening and at night: the area around the monument is well lit, so a tourist, even one who is not completely accustomed to Yerevan, can easily find his way to a hotel or hostel - and, if desired, can spend time in one of the 24-hour bars.

“Mother Armenia” - how to watch and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Azatutyan Avenue;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: around the clock;
• cost of visit: free.

Another, probably the most recognizable monument in Yerevan, standing on Station Square, is dedicated to the legendary David of Sasun, whose deeds are described in the epic “Sasna Tsrer”. The monument was erected in 1960; its authors were the sculptor Kochar and the architect Mazmanyan. The idea to immortalize the hero of folk tales appeared much earlier - back in the 30s of the last century, but for a number of reasons it was not implemented until the start of the Great Patriotic War, and later, due to lack of funds, it was repeatedly postponed “for later”.

The pedestal under the monument to David is carved from basalt; Forged copper was used to make the statue itself; fortunately, there was no shortage of this material at that time. The height of the monument is exactly twelve meters; the rider on a horse is located in the middle of a pool with a diameter of 25 meters.

You should not leave the monument immediately after inspection: a traveler can linger on the square even until the evening, admiring the fountain’s jets gushing upward, and in the evenings, the beautiful multi-colored lighting, giving the water all sorts of shades. The city authorities plan to make the fountain musical, but so far the idea has not been brought to life.

Next to the monument to David of Sasun there is a beautiful green park open to the public. It is crowded here in summer and winter; people come to relax after a hard day, ride bicycles or roller skates, and in winter, play snowballs or warm up with a cup of coffee in one of the indoor restaurants.

Monument to David of Sassoun - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Station Square;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: around the clock;
• cost of visit: free.

Not so far from “Mother Armenia” there is a complex “Erebuni - Yerevan 2750”, unique both in scale and in the set of engineering solutions, dedicated to the 2750th anniversary of the founding of the Urartian fortress, which gave its name to the city.

The complex opened in 1968 - just in time for the anniversary of Erebuni; It was extremely difficult to obtain permission to begin construction - both due to the cost and as a result of the disagreements that occurred at that time between the Central Committee and the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Nevertheless, the work started on time; Two arguments played a decisive role. The first is aesthetic: a street with a fountain looks much more beautiful, and this applies not only to Yerevan; the second is geodesic: the groundwater that filled the local soil did not allow the inhabitants of the lower floors to live in peace. The architect Sadoyan was assigned to take them away (and do it beautifully), and he successfully completed the task.

In accordance with the general concept, the complex included exactly 2,750 fountains, from which water flowed for most of the year. pure water; Not long ago, reconstruction work began in Yerevan, as a result of which the number of jets should increase to 2800 - by the 2800th anniversary of Erebuni.

The area where the fountains gush is often called the boulevard by residents of Yerevan; this name is so firmly entrenched among local residents that a traveler just needs to ask for directions “to the boulevard” - and he will be shown the right direction. They spend here free time, walk, have fun, participate in folk holidays and celebrations; here, at a distance of several meters, are the Central Bank, Historical Museum, State Theater and Art Gallery.

It is especially recommended to look at the fountains in the evening or at night, when the jets shine and shimmer in the light of the spotlights installed along the entire perimeter of Erebuni-Yerevan 2750. Visiting the complex, as well as the adjacent park, is completely free; There are several cafes and eateries nearby.

Fountain complex “Erebuni – Yerevan 2750” - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Shaumyan Square;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: around the clock;
• cost of visit: free.

On the Goght River, among almost vertical cliffs, is the Geghardavank Monastery, or Geghard for short, which translates as “Spear Monastery.” Like other significant shrines of the country, it belongs to the Armenian Gregorian Apostolic Church; ancient building is included in the list of UNESCO cultural heritage sites and is protected by the state.

In addition to monastic cells and ancient temples, the complex includes rock structures that probably appeared even before the baptism of the country, and family princely and royal tombs. One of the main decorations of the monastery is a scattering of khachkars (stone steles with crosses carved into them). Geghard is a functioning monastery; Every attraction here is carefully monitored, especially ancient monuments are looked after and, if necessary, restored.

The history of the monastery begins in the 4th century; According to legend, it was then that Saint Gregory the Illuminator founded the first few cells and consecrated a key spring flowing nearby. Unfortunately, five hundred years later the Armenian soldiers did not have enough strength to resist the Muslim invaders, who completely destroyed and plundered the old complex. In addition to the first raid on the remains of Geghard, the Turks made a campaign, leaving no stone unturned from the monastery.

The situation changed in the 13th century, when this part of the Armenian land came under the rule of Tamara, Queen of Georgia. It was then that the first restoration work began on the territory of the monastery - in particular, the beautiful Katoghike chapel was built. At the same time, the complex was equipped with a fairly good plumbing system, fragments of which have survived to this day.

At the end of the same century, new temples and cells were carved into the rocks surrounding the chapel; A few years later, Geghard in its current form was acquired by the princely family of Khakhbakyan. The monastery complex remained desolate until the 18th century, until permanent residents appeared on its territory.

The main church of Geghard continues to be Katoghike; next to it there are two more objects: Avazan and the Most Holy Mother of God. Both of them are carved into the rock and are perfectly preserved to this day. The facade and walls of the temples from the inside are richly decorated with paintings, frescoes and bas-reliefs; In addition, a visitor who finds himself here can admire the traditional Armenian and Georgian icons and calligraphy used to write the inscriptions under the images of saints.

Before the Muslim invasion, a most valuable relic was kept in Geghard - the spear of the centurion Longinus; it was transported closer to the capital, and the most magnificent ancient manuscripts created in the local library were almost completely destroyed. A tourist can only look at the places where valuables were previously kept, walk to a holy spring and visit relatively new temples - but this is not a lot.

Geghard - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: 40 km southeast of Yerevan;
• travel: by regular bus from Yerevan, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00;
• cost of visit: free.

The second largest Transcaucasian cathedral, also under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is located in Yerevan; to visit it, the traveler does not have to sit on a bus or buy an excursion. It is enough to use municipal transport or a taxi - after spending from ten minutes to half an hour, the tourist will get to the main temple of Armenia.

Unlike those previously listed, St. Gregory's Cathedral is new; it was founded in 1997 on the initiative of the then Catholicos Karekin the First, and was completed and consecrated just five years later - in 2001. The laying of the stone is timed to coincide with the 1700th anniversary of the baptism of Armenia; Several important Christian shrines brought from ancient monasteries and Naples are kept here.

The cathedral, being a conceptually integral structure, consists of three churches: St. Trdat, St. Ashkhen and St. Gregory the Illuminator. They all lived at the same time and took a direct part in the Christianization of a pagan country that once belonged to the state of Urartu.

The total area of ​​the cathedral is about 3830 square meters; the height of the central dome is 55 meters. The famous Armenian master Kyurchkyan was chosen as the architect. Inside the temple there are paintings made using traditional Armenian techniques and even using ancient paint recipes, and icons that fully comply with the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The temple is active and open to free visits throughout the year; the traveler only needs to remember the rules of behavior in the church and try not to disturb the parishioners both during the service and after it.

Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Yervand Kochar street;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 08:30 to 18:30;
• cost of visit: free.

The complex name of this magnificent, although miniature in scale of the previous temple, is directly related to the famous Gospel of Zoravor - one of the most important relics of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which was kept here for a long time.

Initially, the church, as follows from the main part of the name, was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Built at the end of the 17th century, it is now the oldest surviving temple in Yerevan. Surb Zoravor is located in the historical quarter of Shahar; Previously, not far from it there was the grave of the Apostle Ananias and a chapel built over it. In addition, the complex, designed by Archimandrite Syunetsi, included several rooms for monks and its own residence.

The premises were fenced with a low, rather thick fortress wall; Now, nothing remains of it, as well as of other buildings (with the exception of the temple). The reason for this is not the Arabs and Turks, but one of the earthquakes so characteristic of this area, which happened in 1655. Of course, the church itself suffered from it; it was partially restored at the very end of the 17th century, and after that it was restored several times.

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built according to the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church; These are the same three naves - the high central one and the side ones adjacent to it. Above the main entrance, the traveler can see an ancient, miraculously preserved image of the Mother of God with the Child.

At the end of the 19th century, the tomb of the Apostle Ananias was also restored - a new building is located northeast of the church on the proposed site old chapel. In addition, already in Soviet times, the choir of the temple was repaired, and next to it - the priest’s house and the chapel of St. Ananias. You can visit the church and chapel completely free of charge; they are open all year round - and a lot of interesting things await tourists inside.

Surb Zoravor Astvatsatsin Church - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Lazar Parpetsi street;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 10:30 to 16:30;
• cost of visit: free.

The Church of Saint Sarkis, or Surb Sarkis, is located in the Kentron district of Yerevan; it, like the Cathedral of St. Gregory, belongs to relatively late churches: the completion of construction work took place in 1841, and consecration in 1842.

The church was built on the site of a previously existing one, destroyed by the earthquake of 1679. Before this terrible disaster, the complex included the churches of St. Gevorg and St. Hakob, as well as several buildings belonging to the local vicar and a parish school. There was also a luxurious garden with characteristic hanging terraces, partially restored after the earthquake, but soon abandoned.

The restoration of the Church of St. Sarkis continued under the Soviet Union under the leadership of the famous architect Israelyan. It was then that the facade was again completely covered with orange tuff and decorated with geometric elements traditional for Armenia. Inside the temple, the ancient wooden choirs were repaired, and the dome was replaced with another one, repeating the shape of the original one, but higher. The construction of the new Surb Sarkis bell tower was completed only in 2000; a decade later, the roof of the church was equipped with powerful solar panels.

Church of St. Sarkis - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Israelyan street;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 09:00 to 17:00;
• cost of visit: free.

Once the richest repository of manuscripts in Armenia, and now the Yerevan Research Center, combined with a museum, is located not far from the Church of St. Sarkis. The name "Matenadaran" literally means "Place of storage of scrolls"; here, according to historians, already in the 5th century no less than one and a half thousand examples of Armenian calligraphy were placed. Now the number of units exceeds twenty thousand, and this is far from the limit: research papers continue, new exhibits are constantly brought to the Matenadaran.

There are manuscripts here not only in ancient and modern Armenian, but also in Georgian, Greek, Syriac, Persian, Russian, Arabic and other languages. Access to most of the unique exhibits is prohibited for travelers, but viewing the books and scrolls on display in the museum will bring pleasure to a connoisseur of antiquities.

Matenadaran - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Mashtots street, 53;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 08:00 to 19:00;
• cost of visit: 300 drams.

In the Kotayk region (at a distance of about thirty kilometers from Yerevan) there is an ancient pagan temple built by order of Trdat the First in honor of the sun god. The main material was basalt blocks: they were carefully polished and laid one on top of the other, without using burnt bricks and mortar. The blocks were fastened to each other using metal pins and brackets, after drilling holes in the stone.

The temple was repeatedly subjected to attempts at destruction and over time fell into complete disrepair. You can look at it by climbing up the high steps any day of the week for a relatively small fee.

Garni Temple - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan region, Garni;
• travel: by regular bus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00;
• cost of visit: 1000 drams, and on the last Saturday of the month - free.

The majestic architectural complex, located in the center of Yerevan, consists of five terraces overhanging each other. The construction, which began back in 1980, is still not completed: a traveler who goes out onto the main alley of the Cascade can observe the work of high-rise cranes and other equipment.

Nevertheless, the views of the Great Cascade are impressive - and will certainly force the tourist to climb the series of steps again to look at the panorama of the city from an eighty-meter height.

Grand Cascade - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Yerevan, Tamanyan street;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: around the clock;
• cost of visit: free.

The art gallery, one of the largest in the CIS, presents works by Armenian, Georgian, Russian and European masters of past eras and modern times. The pride of the collection is the works of Aghajanyan, Surenyants, Saryan, Kojoyan, Tintoretto, Bassano, Giordano, Panini, Van Dyck, Purbus, Goltzius, Stommer, Ostade, Velde, Fragonard, Rousseau, Watteau, Rodin, Bryullov, Basin, Benois, Chagall and many others.

National Art Gallery - how to see and how much it costs:

• address: Arama street, 1;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 11:00 to 17:00, except Mondays;
• cost of visit: for children under seven years old - free; for schoolchildren - 300 drams; for adults - 800 drams.

You can finish your acquaintance with wonderful Yerevan at the Spendiarov Opera and Ballet Theater. Singers and musicians from Armenia, as well as world-class stars, regularly perform in the building, built in 1940. The main stage of the theater is designed for a little over a thousand spectators; To get to a particularly interesting performance, you need to book a ticket in advance.

Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theater - how to watch and how much it costs:

• address: Tumanyan street, 54;
• travel: by bus, trolleybus, taxi or car;
• visiting hours: daily from 12:00 to 22:00;
• cost of visit: free.

Let's sum it up

There are many interesting places in Yerevan that deserve visiting - and they are in no way inferior. First of all, you should pay attention to the natural beauties of Armenia, the main of which is Mount Ararat, and ancient temples and monasteries - from Khor Virap to the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator. In addition, a traveler should definitely look at the ancient pagan temple of Garni - once a month this can be done completely free of charge.

After Yerevan you can go to Sevan, Dilijan or Jermuk; and if there is no desire to continue traveling around Armenia, the tourist should head to neighboring Azerbaijan and one of entertainment centers or Heydar Aliyev Park. There are many attractions in Transcaucasia - to explore them all, you will have to spend more than one month. The main thing is not to forget to prepare the relevant documents and check in advance whether visa legislation has changed in the country you have chosen for your holiday.

Yerevan is the largest and one of the oldest cities in Armenia, home to a third of the country’s total population. Yerevan is several centuries older than Rome itself, and is cultural and historical center. The sights of Yerevan are worth visiting for every curious tourist. And also immerse yourself in culture by tasting local cuisine and learning about the camp from local guides.

What to see in Yerevan?

The main and most interesting sights of the city with photos and descriptions.

1. Republic Square

Republic Square is one of the most visited attractions in Yerevan, which attracts tourists not only during the day, but also at night. This part of the city can boast of its attractiveness at any time. The square embodies the central part of the city, and was built in the mid-20th century. The square is surrounded on all sides by government buildings made of beautiful stone - pink and white tuff. The bases are made of a stronger and more durable material – black basalt. There is a beautiful fountain in the middle of the square. It is the one that looks best at night, as it has a beautiful backlight that automatically turns on when darkness comes. Visit the square during the day and at night and appreciate its diverse beauty for yourself.

2. Grand Cascade

The Grand Cascade is the most beautiful and famous symbol of Yerevan, known far beyond the country’s borders. It is this one that is depicted on most souvenirs and which is recommended to visit first. Endless stairs climb up to the top of the hill. Along the way you will come across flower beds and small fountains. As you rise, the panorama of the city will expand. And from the highest point there is a fabulous view of the Ararat ridge with its snow-capped peaks. This landmark of Yerevan has quite a long history. They started building it back in the 70s, but never finished it. And only thanks to a philanthropist from America, the Cascade was able to be completed. Availability large quantity modern sculptures and an escalator attract tourists to this huge object.

3. Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is one of architectural monuments Yerevan, which is very popular among tourists. This is the only surviving mosque in the city. Erected back in 1766 according to the design and decree of the Persian Khan, the mosque was much larger in size. But in the course of history, earthquakes destroyed three of the four minarets. During Soviet times, the remaining minaret served as a city museum and at the same time a planetarium. Only thanks to this has it been perfectly preserved to this day. Currently, the mosque serves its intended purpose and is visited by Iranian Muslims. It is recommended to cover your shoulders and legs before visiting the mosque. This is a mandatory rule for all mosques; without it, entry into the temple is prohibited. The temple is open to everyone every day.

4. Erebuni Fortress

The ancient fortress is located very close to the city, in the Ararat Valley, and is the first capital of the ancient people of Urartu. The date of construction of the fortress is attributed to the founding of Yerevan, and presumably this happened in the 7th century BC. Already at that time, the ancient people handled stone perfectly, and in their time erected impregnable fortress, which protected them for a very long time. Modern archaeologists constantly find interesting artifacts that tell in more detail about what Urartu lived and what type of activity they engaged in. You can hear more about the history of the fortress and the people who lived at that time on an excursion at the local history museum. This is a must visit place in Yerevan!

5. Mother Armenia

Among the symbolic sights of Yerevan, Mother Armenia occupies a special place. The majestic monument rose above the city back in 1950 in memory of the Great Patriotic War. The victory over Nazi Germany was difficult for all republics Soviet Union, and was especially destructive for Armenia. The Mother Armenia monument rose 54 meters above the city and was located in central park"Victory". The monument is so large that inside it there is a beautiful museum dedicated to the events of the Second World War and the Karabakh conflict. Tourists can also observe samples of weapons that were used during hostilities.

Armenians are quite talkative and can tell a lot of interesting stories; just ask about events of interest.

6. Singing fountains

Among the most popular tourist places Singing fountains could not help but enter Yerevan. The landmark is located on the main square of the city and was built by a local brilliant architect back in the late 60s of the last century. Scientists from all over the Soviet Union were invited to construct the fountain, but they were led by architect and Doctor of Technical Sciences Abram Abrahamyan. For a long time they were the decoration of the city, until with the advent of 2007 they began to collapse. Only thanks to French financial support, the Singing Fountains were completely restored, and they are decorating again main square cities and create a pleasant melody to the ear. They operate from the end of May to October and delight tourists with their unusual sounds and shapes.

7. Sergei Parajanov Museum

A talented avant-garde director of Soviet cinema lived and worked during the Soviet era. It was Parajanov who glorified Armenian films not only throughout the entire union, but also far beyond the borders of the big country. He was born and lived almost his entire adult life in Tbilisi. He created many brilliant paintings, and when the genius died in 1991, a museum was opened in Yerevan dedicated to both his work and the master himself. When you come to the museum, you can get acquainted with the works that he photographed throughout his life, as well as with his personal belongings. It is quite easy to imagine the difficulties he faced during his work. The museum tried to recreate Parajanov’s apartment as accurately as possible, completely replicating the fashion of that time.

8. Yerevan Zoo

The story of the zoo in Yerevan begins in 1941, almost on the eve of the Great Patriotic War. During its long existence, within its walls it collected a very wide variety of animals, about 300 species, and gave them excellent living conditions. Today the zoo has about 3,000 guests, attracting not only local residents, but also tourists from all over the world. The most natural conditions were created for most pets, and predators were allowed to hunt for their future food. This prevents them from getting bored and gradually turning into dull animals. The zoo is quite large, covering an area of ​​25 hectares. This is the best attraction in Yerevan to visit with children.

9. Museum of the History of the City of Yerevan

If you are interested in history, then be sure to visit the Yerevan History Museum. It is located opposite the central square and the singing fountain, and combines an art gallery and a museum in one building. In its rooms equipped with exhibitions, it is easy to trace the history of the city from its foundation in the 7th century BC to the present day. The museum is so large that you can walk around it for several hours. A interesting excursion will tell about the most important events that took place in the city. The numbers alone can tell a lot: 400 thousand different exhibits and artifacts. And shoes, which according to experts are more than 5,000 years old, are considered the oldest in the world.

10. Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator

Cathedral St. Gregory the Illuminator is a majestic architectural landmark of Yerevan, built in 2001. This huge temple in the very heart of the city attracts not only believers and pilgrims, but also ordinary tourists who hunt in search of new experiences. Due to its regular geometric shapes, the cathedral looks quite severe in appearance. But inside it's ordinary armenian church. If you are lucky, you will be able to watch a local wedding ceremony and hear the sounds of a real organ.

11. Matenadaran Museum

This museum in Yerevan is unusual in that it houses 17 thousand of a wide variety of handwritten manuscripts in its storage facilities. Yes, you understood correctly, Matenadaran is nothing more than a museum of ancient manuscripts found not only on the territory of modern Armenia. You can also see here 2000 ancient handwritten books bound in leather, written in a single copy. This treasure of knowledge used to belong to the scientists, philosophers and alchemists of his time, and was acquired by the museum in a variety of ways. Some of them were found during excavations, and some were donated by people. The museum stores within its walls the very first writings of the Armenian language and shows what the very first handwritten font looked like.

12. Lovers' Park

Yerevan is the oldest Armenian city in the region mountain peaks, ancient monasteries, which is called an open-air museum.

Capital of Armenia attracts tourists with an abundance of attractions that have preserved national characteristics, history. Armenian culture. True, little remains of the ancient buildings, since Yerevan has been destroyed and rebuilt dozens of times throughout its life. The atmosphere of the city is conducive to making guests of the country feel at home. In Yerevan you can see how and how the Armenian people live.

Cascade Museum

The pride of Armenia and the most important attraction of Yerevan is the Cascade.

Cascade is a museum of modern art built in 2009 year. Its distinctive feature is, without exaggeration, a pompous staircase with artificial fountains-waterfalls made of milky tuff. This structure connects the upper and lower city, which is located high in the mountains.

The cascade is located on Tamanyan Street behind the Opera and Ballet Theater. Climbing to its top, you will be able to see with your own eyes the fabulous views of Yerevan against the backdrop of the legendary Ararat. The Great Cascade, on top of which the obelisk of the Revived Armenia is installed, is compared by art historians with the famous Babylonian pyramid. They plan to turn this place into a park and an art gallery: works of ancient sculptors will be exhibited inside the structure, and works of contemporaries will be displayed outside.

A little advice for guests of the capital: entrance to the park itself is free, but in order to visit the museum halls, you need to purchase tickets on the first floor (it is advisable to do this immediately so as not to waste time).

Historical Museum of Armenia

The most visited attraction in Yerevan is Historical Museum of Armenia, which houses incredible exhibitions within its walls that can transport a modern person into the distant past for a few minutes.

In this museum rich in exhibits there is a curious the tourist will find a lot of interesting things: they are carefully stored here:

• ancient monuments,
• manuscripts,
• works of monumental painting,
• coins from different eras,
• all kinds of jewelry and tools from the Bronze Age.

The museum is located on Republic Street, 4.

Prices and tickets are reasonable: 1000 drams – for adults; 300 drams – for schoolchildren, students and pensioners.

Yerevan is a city of attractions and museums. Armenia can be compared to an old bag of gold: at first glance it may seem to you that this country is pale, still hiding behind the shadow of the Soviet Union, but if you dare to look into this bag, you will find a lot of interesting and even precious things.

House-Museum of Aram Khachaturian

This is considered a gold bar House-Museum of Aram Khachaturian, famous Armenian composer XX century.

Not only in the heart of Yerevan you will find interesting places. In the vicinity of the city, tourists are given the opportunity to go to the mountains with professional guides and look at the breathtaking views Ararat valleys(this is quite expensive and not every tourist can afford it).

Near the monument to architect A. Tamanyan you will be greeted by a cozy Khachaturian Museum, which was created in 1982 after his death as a sign of gratitude for his work and greatness of talent. On the site of this museum there used to be a mansion in which Aram Ilyich’s brother lived with his family, and the composer himself often stayed here after tiring tours and trips.

Here visitors will be able to appreciate not only the exhibits, but also hear music written by Aram Ilyich. And for those who like to read, there is a small library with a collection of works A. Khachaturyan.

Believe me, in Yerevan and its surroundings for curious tourists there are places to go and things to see.

Genocide Museum

A “sore topic” for any Armenian is the memories of the events of the genocide in Armenia during the First World War. This is a terrible period in Armenian history, which took thousands of innocent souls. At the Genocide Museum Armenians in Yerevan, you will feel the sadness and tragedy of this event.

The museum was built on the mountainside on the territory of Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial to the Armenian genocide. This museum has a rather symbolic form. The building itself is completely underground and resembles a tomb, and the round structure inside is the circles of hell through which the victims of the terrible genocide had to go.

Entrance to the museum is free

Temples

Those who want to relax their souls and get aesthetic pleasure should definitely visit Blue Mosque in Yerevan. This is the only Muslim cathedral in Armenia, which by its existence indicates that the inhabitants of this country respect God and are tolerant of their choice of religion.

This mosque is called Blue because of the color of the dome. The cathedral has cozy courtyard with apricot trees, in which the great Armenian poet loved to seek inspiration for his poetry Yeghishe Charents. They say after the visit Heavenly Mosque people feel happy and find peace of mind. This mosque is a home for those who want to talk with God and find harmony.

Free admission

Every tourist in Armenia should visit one of the most mysterious sights of Yerevan and its surroundings - Zvartnots Temple, also known in narrow circles as the “Temple of the Vigilant Angels”.

This amazing temple was built during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Constantine II, however, unfortunately, it did not last long - only 300 years. The foundation of the building could not withstand the earthquake and collapsed like a house of cards. Until the 20th century, it was completely buried under a pile of earth and sand.

Today, the Zvartnots Temple is being actively reconstructed: the first tier of the building has already been revived thanks to the work of architects. Now there is a museum there that anyone can visit.

If you decide to get to know Yerevan in 2 days and you have time to see its sights, understand what influenced the formation of Armenia, then hurry to Zvartnots Temple.

It is located outside the city and you will most likely spend a lot of time getting to this place. Excursions most often also take quite a long time, because, you see, you cannot tell the history of the temple and the Armenian people in half an hour.

Be sure to take something to snack with you (especially if you are with children), since there are no shops nearby.

Free admission

Erebuni Fortress

If you are visiting Armenia or are just planning to visit this country, then you should definitely see it with your own eyes Erebuni fortress.

Erebuni Fortress- This historical monument, which preserved in every stone, in every wall inscription the strength and spirit of the ancient people living in the city of Erebuni. Legend has it that a thousand years ago, on the orders of the king Argishti I The Erebuni fortress was built as a symbol of the above-mentioned city, in which the proud and invincible people of the Ararat Valley lived.

This city is not only a landmark, but also a real descendant of the capital of Armenia, since the name of the city of Yerevan comes from the name of the Erebuni fortress.

This monument is still a real mystery for historians, since it is fraught with many questions, the answers to which they have yet to find.

It is advisable to take a taxi to the fortress so that there are no difficulties on the road (it is located outside the city).

Monuments

As soon as you leave railway station, on Sasuntsi David Square you will be greeted by a copper monument to David of Sassoun, riding on his faithful horse Kurkika Jalali.

Yerevan residents are proud of this monument, since the image of Sasuntsi David is a symbol of the invincible spirit of the Armenian people. Even if you are not familiar with the heroic epic of Armenia, then when you see the monument you will still feel all the greatness of this hero, who raised an iron sword against the enemy and defeated him in a fair fight.

The famous copper monument stands proudly in the center of Yerevan "Mother Armenia".

This is a symbol of the homeland, depicted in the image of a mother woman sheathing a sword.

The monument is located in Haghtanak Park (city center).

One of the most amazing places Yerevan, which never ceases to fascinate tourists and citizens is Singing Fountains.

Singing Yerevan fountains is a small Venice in the heart of Armenia. If you want to feel like the heroes of a romantic film, then invite your loved one to this special place, you will find yourself in a fairy tale. You will remember this magnetic place for a long time.

If you want to see in 3 days the life of people in Yerevan, what they love about their city, then this is the place for you.

1. You will not only have time to visit all the sights of Yerevan, but also spend the whole night among the Singing Fountains.
2. At dawn, go up to your room and see Mount Ararat greeting the sun.

The fountains operate every day from late May to September.

What to see in Yerevan in 4 days

Yerevan residents are trying in every possible way to make their capital European city, so at almost every step you will meet different unusual places, which will allow you to find out how Armenia and its inhabitants live.

I would advise tourists who plan to see the sights of Yerevan in 4 days to find out what Armenians consider their pride. And you can understand this by going to Tatev Monastery.

It is located in the Syunik region (in the small town of Tatev), it is advisable to go there by taxi or pre-book an excursion (you will be taken there by bus along with a group of tourists).

The peculiarity of Armenians is that they try in every possible way to preserve their national traditions and, importantly, are proud of their people.

A little advice for tourists!

If you only have 1 day to see the sights of Yerevan, then you better visit:

• Grand Cascade;
• Blue Mosque;
• house-museum of A. Khachaturian.

Since they are located in the very center of the city, you will have time to relax and continue your journey further.

Where to go in Yerevan

Armenians invest a lot of work and money into improving their capital in order to become part of Europe. On the streets of Yerevan, tourists can encounter not only modern sculptures (for example, the famous sculpture "Letter Man"), but also street musicians playing unusual Armenian jazz.

In Yerevan, you won’t have to think long about where to go, since you can easily find some newfangled restaurant in the center, or go to shopping centers, amusement parks, where you can have a good rest and have fun with your children.

And if you are a budget tourist, then you will discover Armenian fast food, although instead of hamburgers and cola you will be offered national Armenian meat dishes.

Yerevan is a miniature piece in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains. In winter we recommend visiting the Western Caucasus. And also, when going to the mountains, don’t forget about the equipment:

Where to go in Yerevan with children

If you come to Yerevan with children, then you definitely need to take them to Yerevan Zoo. Believe me, you will not only make your children happy, but you will also return to childhood.

In order for the animals to feel comfortable within the walls of the zoo, workers have created as close as possible to wildlife living conditions. The amazing thing is that here the animals can get their own food in their own spacious cages. This is a very memorable sight that visitors often watch.

Today, the Yerevan Zoo is home to approximately 2,749 animals (about three hundred species).

In the evenings, zoo workers will not let you get bored: there are interesting puppet shows, mime shows, live sculptures, and performances by the animals themselves together with experienced trainers.

The zoo receives visitors every day (it is located quite far from the city, but free buses for visitors go there)