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Itineraries

Most of the sights in Yerevan are concentrated in the center, which is very walkable. Spending

a few days visiting the major sights should be enough time, and try to get in a trip to Vernissage

flea market on the weekend.

Much of Armenia could theoretically be seen on day trips from Yerevan, but within about anhour of the city are a number of major and worthy trips.

Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery

Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral and museums (plus Sardarabad monument/museum if youhave time)

Ashtarak churches, Hovhannavank and Saghmosavank

Khor Virap Monastery on a day where Mt. Ararat is clear

Exploring Khosrov Reserve via Garni - including Havuts Tar Monastery, S Stepanos

Monastery, Azat Caves and Kakavaberd Fortress

See

Erebuni Fortressthe excavations, recreations and museum of the nearly 3,000 year old

fortress that established Yerevan. Fairly well (and maybe the best) preserved fortress ofUrartian Period in Armenia.

Republic Square, the w estern (older) part

Republic Square - Make sure to see the main square. Though it never took the planed

shape of the Grand Square of a perfect city of Tamanyan, it still can be considered the

finest example of Soviet era architecture as far as squares go. The early buildings (theHouses of Government, the Ministry of Communications, and the Marriott Hotel) are fine

example of Neo-Classical architecture with Armenian hints. The buildings from later period(the Foreign Ministry, and Art Gallery) are Modernist imitations of previous ones.

Northern Avenue - impossible to miss, this pedestrian avenue was just opened in 2008

connecting Opera with Republic Square, the two hubs of central Yerevan. It's a Post-

Modern response to post-WWII Soviet Yerevan architecture. It is emerging as the shoppingdistrict, together with Sayat-Nova ave., Terian st., Tumanian st., and Abovian st.

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The Opera House

Abovian street- It's home to very few remaining Belle poque period structures o f

Republican Armenia. Some gems of Art Nouveau, early Modern (constructivist and the like),

and Moorish Revival style can be found in the backyards of Abovian, Nalbandian, and

Hanrapetutian streets. Most often they are in a very poor condition due to neglect.

Hanrapetutian st. might get a special attention if you are not time constrained.

The Opera It's the 'soft' center of the city. It is topped by the magnificent building of the

Opera House. The building is perhaps modeled after SemperOper of Dresden, however it is

supposed to be double as beautiful as the Yerevan building is two sided: One side

(entrance from the Theatrical/Freedom square) is home to Opera and Ballet Theatre, while

the street side houses the Khachaturian Concert Hall.

Freedom (or Theatrical) Square is part of The Opera. North side of the square is the

Opera House, followed by a park full of open air cafs on the West, from South it borders

the Northern Avenue, and on the East the square slowly transforms into park with Swan

Lake. The Swan Lake park ends with the controversial statue of the composer Arno

Babajanyan, which already was majorly reshaped twice during the first year of itsplacement. The Swan Lake park usually hosts various open air art exhibitions.

Cascades, Sculpture Park and Cafesjian Museum [4] The Sculpture Park is a small

green zone in the immediate North of The Opera. Sculptures from Botero and other artists

of international fame decorate the Park. The park itself is part of Cafesjian Museum - the

Armenian version of Guggenheim. The main part of the museum is in the Cascades - an Art

Deco version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon stretching nearly the height of the Empire

State Building. It's a massive white stairway up a hillside of central Yerevan, decorated with

green stretches, fountains and waterfalls. Higher level of the Cascades give a spectacular

view of Mount Ararat and panorama of central Yerevan with it's hilariously multi-colour

roofs. The first floor and the bookstore of the museum as well as the indoor escalators tothe top of the Cascades are free of charge.

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The Cascades (fragment)

Mashtots avenue- It's the eight-lane highway in the center of the city which somehow also

accommodates a pedestrian zones on the sides (result of standard Soviet planning of main

'Prospekts'). It is overly noisy because of the heavy traffic (mostly unorganised public

transportation) but the parts close to The Opera is a favourite hangout place for the locals.

There are 3 buildings on the avenue which are well worth attention - Matenadaran, and the

Blue Mosque.

Matenadaran[5] Houses the worlds largest collection of Armenian illuminated

manuscripts, and one of the largest such collections o f any kind in the world. A display room

has a sampling of some of the finest works, and the additional cost of the guided tour is

worthwhile. The building is dug into the hill and can withstand a nuclear attack.

Blue Mosque- is an 18th century Shia Islamic Mosque, one of the extreme few surviving

structures of once (before Soviet secularisation) prospering Muslim Community of Yerevan.

Covered Market - It's an original building, a combination of Jungenstil and Beaux-Arts. It

still houses a market of fresh, sun-dried and conserved produce.

Main Railway Stationis a Neo-classical building, small scale version of Soviet skyscrapers

such as Moscow State University or Warsaw Culture Palace, with a red-star-topped high

spire serving as a symmetry axis. The Railway Station building dominates the David of

Sasoun Square which has the statue of David of Sasoun (hero of the Armenian epic tale) as

a centerpiece. The state itself is worth seeing (some would claim more than the building): It

is the masterpiece o f Kotchar - the mastermind of Cubism driven Dimentionalism movement

in Armenia - a very dynamic Equestrian statue. The metro stop 'Sasuntsi David' opens into

the square. Unfortunately, the square, the building and the statue are in a measly conditionnow, as the blockade-driven underusage of the railway left the place unattended.

Parks

Victory Park/Monument- Amusement park. Features a huge monument of Mother

Armenia as well as some Soviet military equipment on display. Very nice view of the citycenter.

Lover's Park[6]- the oldest park of Yerevan. Recently renovated in tradition of Japanese

landscaping with Armenian spirit. It often hosts open air art exhibitions and concerts. It is

best reachable by metro, station 'Marshal Baghramian' - perhaps the most underusedbuilding and allegedly the best in Modernist s tyle.

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The Singing Fountains

Children's Park- This is yet another beautiful remnant of Soviet urban planning in

Yerevan. The park, opened in 1937, is situated in a gorgeous canyon of Hrazdan river and

features a Children's railway. The park was renovated in 2012, so the "ghost park

atmosphere is not that present anymore. In order to find it you will need a direction from a

local.

The Singing Fountains- From early Spring to late Autumn each e vening there is a

fountain and light show in front of the Art Gallery at the Republic square. The program

includes some classical favorites, as well as contemporary Jazz, Rock and Pop (US orRussian). Usually it spans from 10pm to 11pm. It is free of charge.

Churches

Churches in Yerevan are open from early morning till very late evening. There is no entrance

fee ever charged. If you manage to find the priest you can ask him to bless you and any object

(of non-violent usage) that belongs to you (including friendship and other relationships).

Katoghike is the oldest surviving church of Yerevan. It is a tiny structure constructed in

typical Armenian style. Currently, the area of Katoghike (also named St Holy Mother of God)

church is under construction: It is planed that a white stone based St Anne Monastery will

be built, of which Katoghike church will be only a minor part. On the crossroads of Sayat-

Nova ave. and Abovian st.

St Gregory Cathedral

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St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedralwas completed in 2001 to commemorate the 1700th

anniversary of Armenia as a Christian nation. The holy relics of St Gregory the Armenian

were given back to the Armenian Church by the Vatican in 2001 and placed in this

cathedral. The building is a megalomaniac exaggeration of traditional Armenian Church

Architecture. As opposed to all other churches in Yerevan (and Armenia) the Cathedral is

full of light and does not carry any stand for candles. The candle-house is a separatestructure next door. However, the complex is vastly and visibly unfinished. Not far from the

Republic Square (visible from there).

St Sargis Vicarial Church is at the border of the city centre, on a picturesque gorge of

Hrazdan River. From the Victory Bridge (or alternatively the Brandy Factory building) there

is a beautiful view on the church and surroundings (structures of different shades

constructed in immediate proximity to the church during the Soviet years of forced

secularisation). The church is always crowded. Usually there are also many young people

as St Sargis (or St Sergius in Western churches) is the patron saint o f young people and of

lovers.

St Astvatsatsin of Norkis the replica of a beautiful 18th century St Holy Mother of God (SbAstvatsatsin in Armenian) church destroyed during the Soviet years of forced secularisation.

Because of the sudden death of the benefactor the church complex was never finished. The

most convenient way for reaching the church is using Yerevan funicular. The funicular itself

is a special experience. However the church is not immediately next to the funicular stop so

you may need some help of the locals at the end. The entrance to funicular is at the

crossroad of Nalbandian and Charents streets. The church is in the Nork district of Yerevan- the sleeping quarter of rich.

Other

The Ararat Cognac FactoryThe oldest factory in Armenia. Offers tours and tasting. AquaWorlda water park which is popular with the locals in the summers.

L'atelier Restaurant Salon Imperial Russian Antiques[13]at the address Mashtots 37,near Opera.

Levon's Amazing Underground Worldsee what happened when Levon set out to dig apotato storage cellar for his wife, you wont be disappointed.

Do

Old carpets at the market

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For music fans, attend cheap and excellent performances at the Opera and/or the Chamber

Music Orchestra. If a national dance group is performing, dont miss it.

Spend a late night at a caf in the Opera park. Station yourself by the sidewalk at Melody

Caf for some o f the best people watching in Yerevan.

Chill out in Yerevan Green Belt. The most popular among the locals are the Paplavok Park

(near Moscovyan and Teryan) and the Czerny Fountain Park (near Sayat -Nova and

Khanjyan)

Visit one of the themed restaurants in the Hrazdan Gorge to see the locals partying. The

food does not tend to venture far from barbeque and crayfish, but it is usually good

barbecue, and the prices range from very reasonable to the unreasonable. Check the priceson the hard liquor and wines before ordering a bottle if youre price sensitive.

Climb the Cascades (or take the escalator inside) one evening for the great views of the city

and Mt. Ararat, then head across the street to the amusement park inside Victory Park forsome cotton candy and a ride on the rickety ferris wheel.

A walk through the weekend Vernissage a block east of Republic Square metro through the

park is a must. From rugs, souvenirs, instruments and paintings, to pets and chemistry

supplies, this outdoor market seemingly has everything.

Catch a concert on the Cascades or the Lover's Park[14],and an art exhibition at Swan

Lake park or Lover's Park.

Do not miss an evening with the Republic square Singing Fountains, 9-11p.m.

Ice-skate with many locals at the Swan Lake (next to the Opera House) during wintermonths.

Cool down in the WaterWorld[15][16]

Medical Procedures - Yerevan offers some world class medical treatments for fraction of

the price in the west. The most common are heart surgeries, fertility treatments, nose jobs,

hair removal and laser eye surgery.

EatBudget

Stands selling Armenian-style "pizzas" called "lamehjun" or "lahmajoun" are prevalent

throughout Yerevan. This cheap snack consists of a thin layer of dough topped with an herb and

meat paste.

Design cafe a place to eat and relax, signature interior, delicious food, perfect service,

Internet cafe second hall, free high speed WiFi. St. 42 Toumanyan, near Yerevan StateLingustic University. Lunch time discounts 15%. info@designcafe.am, +37410 531333

Dona BakeryThe underground Dona bakery located on Mesrop Mashtots avenue close to

the Matenadaran offers delicious pastries, both European and Armenian. A good place to

catch an inexpensive snack.

Jazve CafeLunch and appetizer menu. Watch out for its misspellings on the menu. Jazve's

wonderful costumers can correct it, but, sadly, they don't get paid. There are plenty of thesecafe's across Yerevan.

Khingali, on Tumanyan next to Mer Tagh (above) has excellent khingali (dumplings) withmeat or cheese filling. Either can be served boiled or fried. Tumanyan St. west of Abovyan.

Lagonidis a Middle Eastern restaurant with sandwiches starting from $3. On NalbandyanSt. north of Sayat Nova.

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Mer Taghis a small lahmejun joint on Tumanyan, and their lahmejuns have a big following.

Tumanyan St. west of Abovyan.

Night Clubs

In Yerevan there are plenty of Night Clubs, Pubs, Karaoke and Strip Clubs especially in

downtown.Locals' and tourists' favourite night c lubs are:

Bunker ClubNo. 12, Sayat-Nova street, Tel: (+374 10) 562504

Opera Clubthe basement of the Opera building. No. 54, Tumanyan St. Phone: (+374 10)541222, 541226, hours: 13:00-18:00, 19:00-12:00, Admission: males: 1000 AMD

Kami Club No. 18, Abovyan st. near Moscow cinema, Phone: (+374 10) 519020, (091)509020

Champs-lyses Clubon Northern Avenue

Ego Clubon Kuryun street, Citadel Business Center Area

The Club[26]on Tumanyan street Tochka ClubOpera Area, Address: 1/1 Baghramyan A ve. Phone: (+374 10) 500441;

hours: from 21:00; Admission: males: 2000 AMD

Stop ClupMoscovyan street , Address: 37 Moskovian Str. Phone: (+374 10) 560780

Tornado ClubBrand-new huge club in Bangladesh area

Popular

Irish pub Parpetsi street

Pub Red BullMoscovyan street

CalumetPushkin street

Wild West PubTumanyan street

MUSEOS

Armenian Craft Museum (Yerevan)

64Abovian Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 57-56-83

Before leavingAbovian Street,drop into the Armenian Craft Museum (No. 64), with its unique

examples of silver and German silver jewellery, woodwork, carpets, earthenware and embossed

goods. Armenia today has many skilled craftsmen, who continue and develop the traditional folk

crafts, and their products have been successfully displayed in many Soviet cities, France, the

USA, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Argentina, Japan, Algeria and Nigeria. The museum is open

from 11:00 to 16:00 every day except Monday. Entrance is free. (Source:Yerevan Guide)

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National Gallery of Armenia(Yerevan)

Republic Square,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-08-12, 56-18-12

The floors above the National History Museum contain the National Picture Gallery. Start by

taking the elevator to the top, then descend through the huge collection of Russian, Armenian,

and European works, some of the latter copies or else spoils of WWII divided among the

various Soviet republics. (Source:RDA)

Minas Avetisyan Museum (Yerevan)

29Nalbandian Street,Yerevan (+374-10)56-07-87

Cafesjian Museum of Contemporary Art(Yerevan)

Under construction at the top ofCascadeinYerevan, to open in 2007. Will houseGerard

Cafesjian's pre-eminent collection of glass artwork, including the definitive collection of works by

renowned artists Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova. The permanent displays will also

include a broad range of prominent 20th century pieces including both paintings and sculpture.

Yeghishe Charents House-Museum(Yerevan)

17Mashtots Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 53-55-94

The outstanding Soviet Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents(1897-1937) lived a little further up

the avenue, in No. 17 on the second floor. His flat has been made into a museum, which isvisited by thousands of the poet's admirers and visitors to the city. (Source: Yerevan Guide)

Children's Art Gallery(Yerevan)

13Abovian Street,Yerevan

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Armenia has long been famed for its artists, sculptors and stone-carvers, and children are

brought up to love art. For this reason the worlds first Childrens Picture Gallery (No. 13 on the

corner ofAbovian StreetandSayat Nova Street) is of interest. Over the years the gallery has

developed into a true centre for developing an aesthetic sense in the rising generation. The

spacious building includes exhibition halls, workshops, a concert ball and a library. There have

been exhibitions of works by children from the Soviet republics, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the

GDR, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, Britain, France, the USA, Canada, India and

Japan. Every year there are several one-man exhibitions of works by children aged from three

to 16. By tradition, all the works exhibited remain the property of the gallery, which now has a

collection of over 100,000 drawings. When the modern artist David Siqueiros visited the gallery

he called it "a true festival for the children of the planet". (Source: Yerevan Guide)

Contemporary Art Museum (Yerevan)

7Mashtots Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 53-56-61, 53-53-59

The Museum of Modern Art occupies the ground floor of No. 7. Frequent exhibitions of works by

Soviet and foreign artists are held here, always attracting many lovers of painting, drawing and

sculpture. (Source:Yerevan Guide)

Erebuni Fortress Museum (Yerevan)

38 Erebuni Street, Yerevan (+374 -10) 57-32-02

The Urartian kingdom centered on Lake Van in Eastern Turkey gave Yerevan its first major

impetus. The Urartians built the citadel of Erebuni, on the hill of that name in SE Yerevan. (Take

Tigran Mets Blvd from Republic Square, then turn left following the trolley tracks on the major

street about half a km past the train station). A substantial museum at th e base of the hill

formerly known as Arin Berd houses many of the finds, including a few examples of Urartu's

splendid metalwork. The citadel itself was founded by Argishti I son of Menua, King of Urartu in

the year 782, the first Urartian conquest on the E ast side of the Arax. We know this on the basis

of a cuneiform inscription discovered built into the fortification wall by the gate, an inscription

which reads roughly as follows: "By the greatness of the god Khaldi, Argishti son of Menua built

this great fortress, named it Erebuni, to the power of Biainili and the terror of its enemies.

Argishti says: the land was waste, I undertook here great works. .." Armenian scientists arguethat one can derive the name Yerevan from Erebuni by a series of simple phonological shifts,

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suggesting that modern Yerevan is the lineal descendant of this 8th c. B.C. citadel. In 1998, the

Mayor of Yerevan arranged a festivity marking the 2780th birthday o f Yerevan. A good time was

had by all. [Source: RDA]

Genocide Museum (Yerevan)

Tsitsernakaberd Park, Yerevan (+374-10) 39-09-81, 39-14-12

The Genocide Memorial and Museum atTsitsernakaberd("Swallow Castle") sits on the site of aIron Age fortress, all above-ground trace of which seems to have disappeared. The Museum's

testimony to the 1915 destruction of the Armenian communities of Eastern Anatolia is moving,

and the monument itself is austere but powerful. The riven spire symbolizes the sundering of

the Eastern and Western branches of the Armenian people. The view over the Ararat valley is

striking. [Source: RDA]

Geological Museum (Yerevan)

10Abovian Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-06-63

The museum houses a display of various building materials: tufas, pumice-stones, s lags,

basalts, granites and marbles of the most varied shades, and the metals and minerals in which

the republic abounds. There are also fossilised fauna and flora from ancient times. The largest

single exhibit is the unusually big restored skeleton of a primordial elephant. The museum is

open from 10:00 to 17:00 every day except Sunday and Monday. (Source: Yerevan Guide)

National History Museum (Yerevan)

Republic Square,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-27-61, 52-14-57

The State History Museum inRepublic Square(formerly Lenin Square) is notable for the

statues of Catherine the Great and Lenin squirreled away in a back courtyard ready for any

change in the political winds. The important archaeological collection from Stone Age through

Medieval periods is dark and almost unlabeled, but should not be missed. Note a Latin

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inscription from Ejmiatsin attesting to the presence of a Roman garrison. There are some

interesting models of early modernYerevanand other historical exhibits of interest to those

comfortable in Armenian or Russian. [Source: RDA]

Avetik Isahakian House-Museum(Yerevan)

20 Zarubyan Street, Yerevan (+374-10) 56-24-24

Avetik Isahakianwas one of Soviet Armenia's foremost poets. The last 5 years of his life he

spent inYerevanin a house which was converted into a museum in 1963. The museum

consists of Avetik's workroom, bedroom, garden, and drawing-room, as well as a number of

exhibition halls which focus on different periods of his life.

Aram Khachaturian Museum (Yerevan)

3 Zarubyan Street, (offBaghramian Street)Yerevan (+374-10) 58-94-18, 58-01-78

TheAram Khachaturianmuseum is located off ofBaghramian Street, two minutes walking

distance fromMoskovyan Streetin downtownYerevan. The building has 5 high arches and

houses a very complete collection of memorabilia from the course of Khachaturian's illustrious

career. Posters, costumes, notes and more fill room after room. You will also see where he

lived, and can listen to many of his works in a well equipped listening room full of CD's.

Manougian Museum (Echmiadzin)

Ejmiatsin Cathedral Compound,Echmiadzin

This museum houses an impressive collection of primarily non-secular art as well as a very

colorful sampling of the giftsCatholicosVasgen received from around the world during his

leadership. The historical crowns and staffs of gold and gems, the highly decorated priests

garbs, the rugs, the ceramics, and many other items are displayed in this large museum, just

past the arch across from the main cathedral's entrance.

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MatenadaranManuscript Museum (Yerevan)

53Mashtots Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-32-92

http://www.matenadaran.am

TheMatenadaran(manuscripts library) is the other world-class museum inYerevan,not for its

exhibitions per se, but rather for its status as the eternal (one hopes) repository for Armenia's

medieval written culture. A vast gray basalt mass at the top of Mashtots Blvd. (built 1945-57,

architect M. Grigorian), the Matenadaran is guarded by the statue of primordial alphabet-giver

S. Mashtots (ca. 400) and those of the other main figures of Armenian literature: Movses

Khorenatsi (5th -- or maybe 8th -- century "father of Armenian history"); T'oros Roslin (13th c.

manuscript illuminator in Hromkla/Rum Qalat near Edessa); Grigor Tatevatsi (theologian of

Tatev Monastery, died 1409); Anania Shirakatsi (7th c. mathematician, studied in Trebizond,

fixed the Armenian calendar); Mkhitar Gosh (died 1213, cleric and law codifier); and Frik (ca.

1230-1310, poet). There are khachkars and other ancient carved stones in the side porticos.

The entry hall has a mosaic of the Battle of Avarayr, and the central stair frescos of Armenian

history, all by H. Khachatrian. English-speaking guides are usually on deck. Beside the exhibit

hall (and a small gift shop with excellent hand-painted reproductions of important manuscript

miniatures), there are conservation rooms and shelf on shelf of storage (closed except to

specialists with advance permission) for the 17000 manuscripts in a dozen languages. Cut deep

in the hillside behind, and shielded by double steel blast doors, is a splendid marble tomb

designed to preserve the collection against nuclear holocaust. Alas, the execution did not live

up to the grandiosity of the conception -- water from a series of underground springs drips

through the vaults, making them unusable until a few million dollars are found for a totalreworking. [Source: RDA]

Middle East Museum (Yerevan)

1Aram Street,Yerevan(+374-10) 56-37-14

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Accessible from the street running behind the State History Museum is the Middle Eastern

Museum and Museum of Literature. The former has an interesting collection, including a carpet-

weaving display. [Source: RDA]

Migoyan Brothers Museum (Sanahin)

Sanahin Town, Lori Region

Sanahin was the birthplace of Artashes Mikoyants, better known to history as Anastas Mikoyan

(1895-1978). His father was a capable but illiterate carpenter at the mines. According to

Mikoyan's memoirs, the village of Sanahin had only two literate men, the priest and the (sole)

monk of Sanahin monastery. The village itself was impoverished, a holding of the Argutinskii

family. Mikoyan was educated at the seminary in Tbilisi at the behest of the visiting Armenian

bishop, joined up with Stepan Shahumian, whom he deeply admired, and was the sole survivor

of the Baku Commissars, his name somehow left off the list of those to be executed. Uniquely

among Bolsheviks of his generation, Anastas survived every purge and change of leadership to

become Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, perhaps the most successful

Armenian ever to settle in Soviet Moscow. His brother Artyom (1905-1970) was the famousaeronautical engineer, designer of the MIG fighter series. A third brother was killed in WWII. The

house-museum of the Mikoyan brothers is downhill from the monastery. [Source: RDA]

Parajanov Museum(Yerevan)

15&16 Dzoragyugh Street, (offProshyan Street)Yerevan (+374-10) 53-84-73

http://www.paradjanov.com

The best museum inYerevanis small and idiosyncratic, the would-be final home of famed

Soviet filmmaker Sergei Parajanov (1924-1990). Though an ethnic Armenian (Parajanian), he

was born in Tbilisi and spent most of his professional career in Kiev or Tbilisi. He won

international fame with "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" and "The Color of Pomegranates,"

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but his career was crippled by imprisonment (for homosexual liaisons) and denial of resources.

Under perestroika,Yerevanclaimed him as its own, and built him a lovely house overlooking

the Hrazdan gorge in an area of ersatz "ethnographic" buildings on the site of the former

Dzoragyugh village (just behind and left of the upscale restaurant "Dzoragyugh," commonly but

no longer accurately known as the "Mafia Restaurant" due to a leather-clad clientele, a

mysteriously reliable electrical supply during the dark nights of 1993-95, and the occasional use

of firearms). Alas, Parajanov died before the house was finished, but it became a lovely

museum/memorial that also hosts dinners and receptions to raise funds. Parajanov's visual

imagination and subversive humor are represented in a series of compositions from broken

glass and found objects. His figurines from prison-issue toilet brushes are proof that a

totalitarian, materialist bureaucracy need not prevail. Look for "The Childhood o f Genghis Khan"

and Fellini's letter thanking him for the pair of socks. [Source: RDA]

Sardarapat Ethnographic Museum (Armavir)

Armavir Region

Bearing left before the Sardarapat battle monument, a driveway skirts the monument ridge to

reach a tourist pavilion (refreshments) and the highly attractive Sardarapat museum. Director (at

least of the military museum) is the head (since the untimely 1999 death of Sergei Grigorevich

Badalian) of the Armenian Communist Party. The ground floor central hall contains

commemorative material from the battle. Starting from the right, the lower galleries present

archaeological materials from Neolithic to Medieval, and implements for various traditionalhandicrafts. Upstairs are exhibits of carpets and embroidery, modern Armenian decorative

ceramics, and jewelry. [Source: RDA]

Martiros Saryan House-Museum(Yerevan)

3Saryan Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-17-62

Martiros Saryanstudied in the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He was

greatly influenced by Russian art, especially by such painters as Valentin Serov and Konstantin

Korovin. Even Saryans first canvases show his penchant for bright colours, his ori ginal vision of

the world around him, expressiveness and unusual composition. His cycle of works painted

after trips to Turkey, Iran and Egypt first brought him renown.

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In 1921, Saryan settled in Yerevan, and from then on Armenia, its countryside and peopl e,

became the main theme in his work. He is particularly famous for his landscapes, including the

astonishing "Saryans Armenia", in which he celebrates the beauty of his land renewed. He also

painted a fair number of portraits, which are remarkable for their psychological depth and

philosophical approach. Saryan was also productive as a book illustrator and stage designer.

The museum is open from 10:30 to 16:00 (to 15:00 on Wednesdays) every day except

Thursday. [Source: Yerevan Guide]

Alexander Spendiaryan Museum (Yerevan)

21Nalbandian Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-07-83, 52-12-99

In 1967, the second storey house-museum ofAlexander Spendiaryanopened to the public on

the corner ofNalbandian StreetandTumanian Street. A favorite musical composer and

conductor, his violin, baton, piano and many other personal and professional items are on

display. One display case shows the handwritten romance "Ay, vardi!" (Oh, Rose), and on his

desk by the inkwell is an unfinished composition...

Tumanyan Museum (Yerevan)

40Moskovyan Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 58-12-71, 56-00-21

A native of the high mountain village of Lsakh (now Tumanyan), Ovanes Tumanyan (1869-

1923) produced masterpieces of national poetry. His verse reflects the sorrow of the Armenian

people and a burning protest against their oppressors. His epic works are particularly important

in that they depict everyday life in an Armenian village. Some of his poems take historical

events as their theme, and are imbued with the ideals of patriotism and the liberation struggle

against the foreign invaders.

The nineteen rooms of the museum contain an interesting exhibition which describes the life

and work of the poet. On the first storey there is a re-creation of the flat in which Tumanyan

lived in Tbilisifor many years (he is buried there). The museum is open from 11:00 to 17:00

every day except Monday. (Source:Yerevan Guide)

Tumanyan House Museum (Dsegh,Lori Marz)

Wood Carving Museum (Yerevan)

2,4Paronyan Street,Yerevan (+374-10) 53-24-61

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SALIDAS CHULAS

DAY 1

Drive to Garni Pagan Temple and Geghard Monastery. The Pagan Temple of Garni is the onlynon-Christian temple currently standing in Armenia. Gracing the hillside the pagan temple wasdedicated to the God of Sun, Mithra. It was built in 77A.D. by the Armenian King Trdat I. Thearchitectural complex of Garni was Armenia's foremost center of Hellenistic culture and the

summer residence of Armenian kings. The fortress is situated in a picturesque mountain localityand commands a broad panorama of orchards, fields and mountain slopes covered with motleycarpets of varicolored grasses, of the jagged and precipitous canyon of the Azat river. The

artistic merit and uniqueness of its monuments place Garni among outstanding creations ofarchitecture of world importance.

Driving for 9 more kilometers from Garni, You'll reach the Monastery of Geghard which isincluded in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Geghard is an incredible ancient

Armenian monastery, partly carved out of a mountain. Though the monastery has been aroundsince before the 4th century, the main cathedral was built in 1215. It is said that the holy lancethat pierced the body of Christ was kept here. The architectural forms and the decoration of

Geghard's rock premises show that Armenian builders could not only create superb works ofarchitecture out of stone, but also hew them in solid rock. Lunch in an Armenian peasant -house

in Garni village.

DAY 2

Leave for Khor Virap Monastery, one of the most popular destinations in Armenia for a numberof reasons, primarily because it is where Grigor Luisavorich (St. Gregory the Illuminator) wasimprisoned for 13 years before curing King Trdat III of a disease. This caused the conversion ofthe king and Armenia into the first officially Christian nation in the world in the year 301. To this

day you can visit the underground chamber he was imprisoned, located in the nondescript St.Gevorg Chapel apart from the main church. Its location, near the closest point to Mount Ararat

within Armenian borders, offers a spectacular view of the mountain, the national symbol of

Armenia.

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Continuing to more south you'll reach Noravank Monastery, an architectural gemstone nestledamong brick-red cliffs, just above a deep gorge. This monastic complex is a masterpiece by the

13th century architect Momik. The surrounding cliffs offer a spectacular backdrop of mineralcolors reflected from the sun. The breathtaking church of the monastery is St. Astvatsatsin a

two-storied building with an open-air church. It is also worth mentioning that Noravank once

treasured a piece of the true cross-stained with the blood of Christ, brought by a mysteriousstranger.

Lunch in a lovely restairant on Arpa River bank.

On the way back visit "Areni winery", where you can taste different sorts of wine.Overnight inYerevan

DAY 3

Leave for Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and one of the largest high-altitude lakes inthe world situated at the altitude of 1900m above sea level. A famous writer has poetically

characterized Sevan, "A genuine piece of sky, dropped down on earth among mountains".Visiting the Monastery of Sevanavank (IX century) which is located on Sevan peninsula.

Proceed to Dilijan resort town in the north of Armenia. Words alone can't describe the naturalbeauty of Dilijan. Many poets used to say, " If there are woods, mountains, streams and mineralwaters in paradise, it must be like Dilijan." As a climatic balneal health centre of medium-mountain zone, Dilijan is characterized by mild, moderate warm summer, sunny warm winterand dry warm weather during the whole year. Due to its forested mountains and mild climate,Dilijan is named "Armenia's little Switzerland."

You'll see the most beautiful part of the town, Old Dilijan. Lunch in an Armeni an family in Dilijantown.

The next route will lead to Goshavank, which was founded by famous Armenian cleric and law

codifier Mkhitar Gosh in 12-13th centuries. The monastery played a prominent role in Armenia'sreligious, cultural and educational li fe th rough the Middle Ages. Here stands the famous work ofsculpture of Varpet (Master) Poghos, a masterpiece of carved stone cross, known in Armenia as"khachkar". Overnight in Yerevan.

DAY 4

Leave for Echmiadzin, the Holy See of the Armenian Apostolic Church, where the Armenian

Catholicos(Supreme Patriarch) resides.

Visit St. Hripsime Church, built in 7th century. It is considered a masterpiece of early medievalArmenian architecture Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, historically, is the focal point of the city of

Echmiadzin, the oldest church in the world. It was originally built by Saint Gregory theIlluminator as a vaulted basilica in 301-303, when Armenia was the only country in the world the

state religion of which was Christianity. The church was built on the place of a pagan temple,

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the remains of which can be seen until now. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is listed among theUNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On the way back to Yerevan visit the Ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral.

Zvartnots was a majestic cathedral dedicated to St. Gregory. Zvartnots, built as Armenia's main

cathedral in 641-661, was to suppress the Echmiadzin Cathedral by its grandeur. Zvartnots layin ruins as early as in 10th century. The remnants of Zvartnots, even in ruins, are a majesticsight. The Ruins of Zvartnots are listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lunch in arestaurant.

In Yerevan visit Vernisage Market where you can buy all kinds of artworks, carpets and rugs,jewelry and other typical Armenian souvenirs.

DAY 5

Drive to Aragatsotn region at the foothills of Mount Aragats (4090m), the highest peak of

Armenia.

Oshakan - St. Mashtots Church is where the primordial alphabet-giver, St. Mesrop Mashtots, isburied, just under the altar of the church. It's a hall-type church with frescoes. The church issurrounded by a garden with ornamented Armenian alphabet letter statues.

Visit Saghmosavank Monastery. It is situated on the edge of a deep gorge at the foot of Mt. Ara,with Mt. Ararat and Mt. Arargats rising majestically on the western and northern horizons. It's an11th century structure. Lunch in an Armenian peasant house.

Visit Karmravor, a tiny, but a very beautiful cruciform church dating from the 7th century, in thetown of Ashtarak. Its unique red tiled roofing came down to us completely unharmed.

Drive to Mughnis St. Gevorg(St. George) Church, founded in the 13th century. It houses some

relics of St. George. Especially striking is the black and orange striped dome of this church. It'ssurrounded by a beautiful garden of fruit trees and roses. Lunch in Ashtarak. Overnight inYerevan.

Enlace de inters:http://www.visitarm.com/culturalevents.html

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