If you are in Armenia and don’t know what kind of souvenir you want, here is a perfect place for you. You will lose yourself here and won’t get out without souvenirs or any interesting handmade artwork.
The most interesting part of the market is the jewelry pavilions where you can see beautiful handmade silver and gold.
The History of Vernissage
Probably one of the most visited places in Yerevan is the Vernissage Market which started its history in the 1980s. In the area where Saryan’s Park is situated nowadays, an exhibition was once opened under the open sky. In the first years of working the market mainly exhibited and sold only the pictures.
Then it got its name Vernissage because it was the first one in Armenia. But some years later, the market divided into two parts. The painters stayed in the park, the other traders of arts and crafts got the area in the adjacent park of Republic Square, in the middle of Aram and Buzand Streets.
In front of the Vernissage, a big statue of Vardan Mamikonyan is standing, Mamikonyan who is one of the famous Armenian heroes of all times.
After the official opening, the organizers decided that this market must work only on weekends. And since 1987, Vernissage works. Harutyun Navasardyan is the founder. Due to his efforts, this market is considered to be one of the famous places in Armenia where you can feel the Armenian culture.
What to buy in Vernissage
If you wonder why you should visit this place, know that the best pavilions with different souvenirs and other useful products are located here. If you hesitate or don’t know what to buy, be sure you would be lost in a diversity of choice in this market. Kind and generous traders will help you to make the right decision and will offer you only handmade works.
The open-air market has pavilions where the traders present and sell their handmade goods. It has been already 34 years every weekend at 7 a.m. thousand people gather here to sell and to buy useful items. Nearly a thousand traders present the works of modern Armenian Painters, traditional handmade works, national musical instruments, souvenirs, silver and gold jewelry, rugs, household items, and other cultural works.
Here you may also find dolls, antique items, carved wood, clay, metal and ceramics artworks, traditional carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, interesting books, jewelry, musical instruments, and electronics.
New Vernissage
In 2017, a new project for the improvement and modernization of Vernissage began. As a result, it became a more lovely and convenient place. The vendors have their own pavilions. And even if you don't want to buy anything, you may take the pleasure of walking around.
But if you want to buy a picture you can visit Saryan's parks where you can find the works of many talented painters of Armenia. It is situated in the French square, on the opposite street of Opera and Ballet House. The park was named after great Armenian painter Martiros Saryan, one of the greatest painters of all time.
