Yerevan Region
Area: 223 km2 (86 sq mi)
Population: 1,060,138
Yerevan or the Pink city (known for its common pink type of tuff that turned Yerevan into the world's only "pink" capital) is a city with almost three thousand years of history. According to the legend, the name of Yerevan is derived from an expression exclaimed by Noah while looking at the direction of Yerevan, after the ark had landed on Mount Ararat and after the flood waters had receded: "Yerevats" (it appeared).
One theory regarding the origin of Yerevan's name is the city that was named after the Armenian king, Yervand (Orontes) IV, the last leader of the Orontid Dynasty, and founder of the city of Yervandashat. However, it is likely that the city's name is derived from the Urartian military fortress of Erebuni, which was founded on the territory of modern-day Yerevan in 782 BC by Argishti I. As elements of the Urartian language blended with that of the Armenian one, the name eventually evolved into Yerevan (Erebuni = Erevani = Erevan = Yerevan).
The history of Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC, with the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC by king Argishti I (several decades before the birth of Rome) at the western extreme of the Ararat plain. Erebuni was designed as a great administrative and religious center, a fully royal capital.
By the late ancient Armenian Kingdom, new capital cities were established and Yerevan declined in importance. In the historical center, as well as in the districts of the capital one can see the beautiful Armenian churches, both old and new. By the 1700 anniversary of Christianity in 2001, when Armenia was visited by the Roman Pope John Paul II, the largest church in Armenia - the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator was constructed in downtown Yerevan. The Cathedral displays the relics of Gregory the Illuminator, brought from Naples. On the streets of the small center can be found graceful, elegant two-storey and single storey houses of the 19th century, decorated with black and red tuff, carved stone and cozy balconies.
Most of the buildings at downtown Yerevan are made in the Armenian style of neoclassicism, which distinguishes Yerevan from other world capitals. The central part of the city involves three main squares: the Republic Square, the Shahumian Square and the Freedom Square.
The Republic Square, which is the gemstone of the city, involves the Art Gallery, the History Museum of Armenia and the "singing" fountains which combine music, water, and color. The square is framed with the buildings of the Government of RA, Marriott Hotel and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the best traditions of the Armenian architecture that is designed by Alexander Tamanian to make up a beautiful ensemble - a masterpiece and truly national work of art.
The Freedom Square is adjacent to the State Opera and Ballet House making up another picturesque ensemble. A beautiful panorama of the city opens from the top of a huge staircase with fountains – Cascade. Here you can find works of world famous sculptors. The most characteristic architectural complexes of the 21st century are in the newly opened Northern Avenue in downtown Yerevan, with large modern buildings, as well as the Yerevan City Hall and a number of business centers.
Tsitsernakaberd or "fortress of swallows" is a complex dedicated to the memory of innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide.Yerevan is a city of museums and theaters. The Matenadaran of Yerevan possesses the richest collection of medieval manuscripts and books in the world. If you are fond of exhibitions, go to Saryan Park, adjacent to Opera square, and have a good time there. Each Saturday an exhibition is held in Saryan Park, where you will be able to buy a beautiful handmade picture.
No visit to Yerevan would be complete without a few hours spent wandering in the "Vernissage". Each Saturday and Sunday exhibition - sales are held in the "Vernissage", where you can buy souvenirs, jewelry, handmade arts and crafts, silverware, paintings, and carpets. It is situated between Hanrapetutyan and Khanjyan streets.
After all remember to have fun wandering around the pink city. There is a wide choice of restaurants, hotels, and bars. If u are a lover of beer then Armenian pubs are the best place to chill and enjoy good music. You can feel warm Armenian spirit while sipping an espresso in some of the hipper bars. Yerevan is the perfect destination where you can find Armenia in a modern way.
Yerevan
Yerevan has been the capital of Armenia since 1918. It s the administrative, cultural, economic and industrial center of the country. Yerevan is considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world. According to historical data, Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome.
It was founded by Argishti 1st in 782 B.C. and was named Erebuni. Now the Erebuni Museum is located on the ruins of the ancient fortress city. According to the legend, after Noah’s Ark landed on Mountain Ararat, the first dry place that Noah noticed was this land. He exclaimed: "Yerevats" ("it appeared!") and from that day the place was called Yerevan. However, the name of the city of Yerevan goes back to the period of Urartu and originates from the name "Erebuni"
Places of Interest in Yerevan
Yerevan is the cultural center of Armenia. It is home to a large number of museums, art galleries, theatres, and libraries. The most prominent of these are the Matenadaran library-museum of ancient manuscripts, the Armenian Genocide Museum of Tsitsernakaberd complex, the Cafesjian Museum of Art, the National Gallery and the History Museum of Armenia. The latter two share the beautiful head building of the Republic Square of Yerevan. The famous "singing" fountains in front of the National Gallery make the view of the building, and of the square in general, even more spectacular.
Matenadaran
The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts also known as Matenadaran is a depository of ancient manuscripts and possesses the world's largest collection of Armenian manuscripts. It was founded in 1959 in Yerevan. The repository contains more than 17000 manuscripts, 450 thousand documents, and 3000 ancient books. The oldest manuscript is the “Vehamor Avetaran” which has been kept from the 8th century. Here you will see the biggest Armenian book “Msho Charyntir” (28 kg) and the smallest one weighing 190g.
Tsitsernakaberd
Another important place for Armenians is Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex. It is dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The Memorial Complex was built in 1967 in Yerevan. It also includes the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute which was opened in 1995.
Churches in Yerevan
You can find a lot of churches in the “pink city”; every district has its own church. The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is the largest Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenia. It is located in the central part of Yerevan. The designer was the famous architect Stepan Kurkchyan.
Zoravar Surb Astvatsatsin is one of the oldest churches in Yerevan. It is located in the oldest part of the city which was called Shahar district. The tomb and the Chapel of Ananias the Apostle were located here. Once the chapel was a famous sanctuary. The church changed its name to Zoravar because in the 13th century it was home to a bible of Zoravor. The church is located in the Kentron (central) district of modern Yerevan.
Katoghike Holy Mother of God is a small medieval church located in the Kentron District of Yerevan. There is a carved script on one of the walls of Katoghike which dates back to 1264. The church was seriously affected by an earthquake in 1679. Later a large basilica named after the Holy Mother of God was built around the Katoghike church and was demolished in 1936. Only during the demolition, the Katoghike church was discovered hidden in the walls of the basilica. Khachkars found in the wall during the demolition date back to the 15th and 17th centuries.
Saint Sarkis Church was built in 1842. It is located on the left bank of the Hrazdan River.
Once it was a huge monastery complex surrounded by high gates which included three churches: St Sarkis, St Gevorg, and St Hakob. Saint Sarkis Church was the official seat of the Patriarch and the monastery was a patriarchal residence for guests. Unfortunately, the two churches were destroyed during the 1679 earthquake, and later only St Sarkis was rebuilt. Nowadays, it is the seat of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Theatres
Yerevan is also famous for its theatres, cinemas and other cultural centers. The building of Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the main symbols of the city.. At night when the street lights and the lights of the buildings are on, the city reveals its real beauty. One can roam for hours at the peaceful nights of Yerevan and discover the city in your own way.
Parks in Yerevan
Yerevan has many green areas and parks where you can just take a walk and enjoy yourself. One of them is Haghtanaki Zbosaygi, which is dedicated to the victory in the Second World War. The most impressive statue of the Armenian architecture, Mother Armenia is situated in this park.
Another special park in Yerevan is located not far from the Opera and Ballet House, which is named after the great Armenian painter Martiros Saryan. Here you will find an open-air exhibition of the works of modern painters․ Nearly every day the artists gather in the park around statue of Saroyan to display and sell their pictures.
Weather
Residents of the capital know that with the arrival of spring it's already warm in Yerevan. Weather in Yerevan is sunny almost 365 days a year. The average temperature is +25 in summer (sometimes rising even up to +43), and -4/-5 in winter. Summer in Yerevan lasts more than 4 months. Winters are short and warm. As you can see our pink capital is just a dream for both tourists and locals.
City/town
Sights
History Museum of Armenia
The History Museum of Armenia was founded in 1919. It exhibits about 400,000 art crafts of the Armenian Highlands from the prehistoric times to the middle ages and our days.
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