Things To Do In Yerevan

Long battled over by warring countries (Turkey

and Russia), the city of Yerevan survived hundreds

of years of foreign invasion and gained full independence only after

the downfall of the USSR .

This capital city is the heart of Armenia, a rugged country

located along the Little Caucasian Mountains, characterized by deep

gorges, lakes, and rushing rivers. Most people speak the Armenian language,

which is unlike any other and has its own alphabet.

The city of Yerevan has a strong artistic tradition that

includes religious music and the making of

decorative stone carvings called khatchkars. Geghard Church is perched against a

rock in the gorge of the Granny River, southeast of

Yerevan City.

Armenia is also the first country in the world to

make Christianity its official religion.

When To Go:With a chilly semi-dry atmosphere, Yerevan

experiences prolonged and humid summers and cool

winter seasons.

The winter season (March to April) is not a favorite

time to visit because of cold footpaths and foggy roads

especially along the mountainside. Other times of the year are better for a

vacation, especially the long summer season (June

to September).

Spring (October until November) offers a pleasant yet frequently wet climate, with loads of green slopes

and wildflowers. Summer is extremely hot, however the

long, late nights at the bistros, and the seasonal,

locally-grown foods are stunning.

The season of Autumn (January to February) is also very popular, with

flawless climate and clear skies over the city.

Visit these top attractions and the great variety of

things to do when in Yerevan City:

The Monastery of GeghardThe Monastery of Geghard

is one of the most beautiful monasteries in

Armenia. This monastery is about an hour's drive from

Yerevan and a visit is absolutely necessary --along with one to the

beautiful temple of Garni,

which is a bit older (it is the first Greek temple to the

East of the Mediterranean world.) The place is

spectacular because it is surrounded by mountains. Particularly interesting are

the adjacent cells of the monks: tiny rooms carved

into the living rock.

Very nice to look at are the ancientkhatchkar that are in front of the cels and the doors, and the bas-reliefs

of the main church.If you visit on a Sunday

morning you will be able to attend Holy Mass (11 am

as in all Armenian churches).

The service is not to be missed (you can

photograph and film without problems), for

both the celestial songs that go with it and for the actual celebration of the

Mass that in general projects a kind of elevated

mysticism.

Outside there are interesting and photogenic food stalls that are located

across the parking lot, selling mainly the

characteristic sweet bread of Yerevan City.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

this monastery carved into the rock is full of silence

and charm, like all monasteries of this enchanted land. St.

Gregory the Illuminator founded it, after he came upon a cave where there

was a spring of water that is considered sacred.

. If you want to enjoy an adventure in mysticism, wear comfortable shoes

and bring enough drinking water to hydrate you during the short hike.

Immerse yourself completely in the medieval

atmosphere!

Matenadaran (The Museum of Ancient Manuscripts)

A visit to the Matenadaran (Museum of Ancient

Manuscripts) is a fundamental step toward understanding Armenia’s

significant responsibility in preserving its civilization is

all about.

It is highly recommended to visit this museum if you

are on a journey to Armenia. The beauty of

the manuscripts preserved here is unspeakable and full of interest. The tour

guide is even more interesting and

will also help you better understand the profound spirituality that pervades this unique population.

Unfortunately, the extraordinary ancient culture of Armenia is

absolutely misunderstood, if not unknown.

This interesting museum makes up for that

shortcoming by providing the opportunity to see a

rich collection of manuscripts from various

eras of the Armenian language, and the

evolution of its whole varied alphabet.

The statue of Mesrop Mashtots -- the father of the

alphabet as well as the individual credited with unifying the population,

greets visitors at the entrance of the dark building.

This museum of ancient manuscripts is housed in a

modern building;

more than 15,000 unique testimonies of the Armenian culture and civilization are included in the collection.

The gray color and metallic structure of the building's exterior clashes with the

bright and well-lit fixtures of the large rooms and its

interior corridors.

The manuscripts are very valuable and cover all kinds of religious, historical, and ethnographic details about

Armenia. All of the manuscripts are dated as far back as the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, and they

are not allowed to be photographed.

This museum holds the heart of civilization, culture and

spirituality of the Armenian people.

Khor Virap MonasteryAlthough there are many

monasteries in Armenia, and perhaps some are a bit similar to each other, The Khor Virap Monastery is a big exception.

It is often referred to by locals as the little

Armenian Petra, as part of the monastery is carved into the rock. When you come to visit, you will be extremely impressed with

the dark and damp atmosphere --through

which you can glimpse the few beams of light that

illuminate the rooms and the sacred engravings carved

into the rock. All this is made even more impressive by the sound of the small waterfall that washes sacred part of

the salt. This is considered a holy place in Armenia.

The monastery with Mount Ararat in the background is an image widely known in this country, even for

those who have never set foot on its grounds. It has become a significant place both in its own right and

because of this mountain.

Just across the border is the Turkish territory. The

monastery is built on what was once the place of imprisonment of St.

Gregory the Illuminator, the much-acclaimed

evangelizer of Armenia who was held for 13 years

in a well and

then released after curing the same King who had

captured and tortured him. This act was considered a

miracle and led to the adoption of Christianity

the King and all of Armenia.

In this picturesque monastery (the first you find going from

Yerevan to Goris and the Karabakh Nagarno) you can still see the incredible well

where St. Gregory survived for so many years. The structure

of the monastery is still original, even if only partially rebuilt after the earthquake of

1998.

It is a must-see attraction in Yerevan (about a half-day trip from the city.) A tip: wear comfortable pair of sneakers, otherwise you will not be able to get off

the vertical scale that leads through a narrow opening at the symbolic

well of St. Gregory.

Parajanov MuseumThe visit to this house-museum

of film director Sergei Parajanov is extremely

interesting and allows for appreciating the creativity of

an artist as well as an important director (The

Legend of the Fortress of Suram, The Color of

Pomegranates, etc.).

The Parajanov Museum is the last residence of its eclectic and irreverent

artist who was opposed to life under the Soviet

regime, and yet greatly admired for his films with

Fellini and other major international filmmakers

who were his contemporaries.

The Armenian traditional home also houses some paintings, photographs,

and weird inventions that are truly amazing.

Yerevan Republic SquareThis square is the nerve

center of the capital; from here

you can branch off to the main roads that connect the downtown with the neighborhoods of the

capital and other major attractions. The Yerevan Republic Square,like the

other former Soviet capitals, is very large.

It is home to the main offices of the ministries,

with their interesting mix of architecture -- and

includes vestiges of Soviet Armenia, along with the

Armenian History Museum and the National Gallery.

If you visit the Square, you must see the big fountain

with beautiful water features -- accompanied by a

choreography of classical music and colored lights,

whose beams carry amazing designs and shapes making

the show even more charming and fascinating.

Along with all the other sights and attractions, the Republic Square is sure to top your list of things to

do and see while in Yerevan. It is stunning,

especially at night!Republic Square is not only the geographical center of the capital

Yerevan

but also the symbolic center of the whole of Armenia. It is large,

circular in character, and full of life. During the day,

the buildings on the square are full of meetings

-- many of the most important offices of the

Armenian government are there.

At night the area is filled with people, the large fountain is

illuminated and the water moves together in harmony with the notes of the most

beautiful music in the world. It is a very pleasant gathering

place that is surrounded by pedestrian streets with nice shops and amazing locals.

The CascadeThe Cascade is one of the best gathering-places to

check out after the Republic Square. Located near the

center of Yerevan, it's a long flight of steps with four intermediate stops that feature fountains and

monuments.

For those who do not want to work hard, there are

escalators provided indoors. It is another

wonderful place to spend your free time visiting with friends -- especially if you are young, because the

area is a hangout place for young boys and girls.

Or just enjoy a short walk along its promenade after dinner, although it is not

recommended to climb the whole staircase on a full

stomach -- the stairs seem to never end!

There are beautiful illuminated fountains at every level of the giant staircase, and perhaps

even better is the small garden in front of the huge monument; it is very well maintained, well

lit and has an exhibition of artworks including some

typically exaggerated statues by the important Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero.

The internal staircase also presents some beautiful works of modern art, and the Swarovski museum is housed on the premises at the foot of the stairs. It is

all well worth a visit despite the many steps to climb -- really a must for

anyone who is in Armenia.

This square also has a great view of the Caucassian

Mountains.Garni

Garni is an ancient pagan temple built in Greek / Roman/ Hellenistic style architecture

and is a testament to the ancient splendor of this city. It

is like the Parthenon in the heart of the rocky Armenia!

There is no other way to describe this amazing neo-classical Greek temple that stands on a rocky outcrop

overlooking a valley characterized by long and

amazing rock formations. Do not miss a visit to the ruins of

the Roman baths -- where some original mosaics are still

well preserved.

An area that cannot be missed -- because it offers more

insight into its people -- is the nearby community. The

farming village shows various aspects of poverty with dignity and humanity; they sell many

things beside their fruit stands (dry goods that you can take

home as a souvenir).

Not far from the temple you can also enjoy a

typical lunch: you can really observe Armenian tradition, because before sitting down at the table you will be shown how to

prepare the meal together with the entire family --

you

learn how they bake their own bread (thin, flat bread with a hint of Sardinia), and grill their meat and fish. Do

not expect great wine for it is not a land of wine -- but the

beer is very good.Tsitsernakaberd

The Tsitsernakaberd is a place of melancholic memory.

This is definitely the darkest of all monuments

in Yerevan, but that is why it is justified: this area is home to the important

memorial in honor of the victims of the Armenian

Genocide.

The memorial is a unique monument consisting of 12

blocks the center of which is the Eternal Flame -- the real heart of the Memorial and

the place where anyone can lay a flower in memory of the

victims.Noteworthy also is the high obelisk-shaped stem and

the park with little pine trees that have been

planted by foreign leaders during official visits. The beautiful thing about the

place is that you can admire Mount Ararat in all

its grandeur.

On the grounds of the memorial is a museum with an exhibition of photographs that are

rather crude -- pictures taken during the genocide

and deportation of survivors. Although this

may be a particularly sad event in Armenia’s history,

the memory is one you will never forget when you

visit Yerevan city.The memorial is in the shape of a flower that

opens, a sign that Armenia is destined to be reborn,

the Flame that burns perpetually feeds the

memory, and the Garden with the inscriptions bears witness to the passage of

distinguished visitors. Those who forget the

mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat

them,

so it is a civic duty and moral power to preserve a nation’s historical memory no matter how painful it is.

Caucasian MountainsThe Caucasian Mountains offer enchanting scenery alternating with barren rocks and upland plains,

blue skies and a horizon full of colors. In particular, one of the best things to do while here is

to climb the Selim Pass at almost 7900 feet high, in

order to visit the complex of Caravanserai. It really shows evidence of what was one of

the most important stations of the Silk Road era.

What is striking in the Caucasian highlands of

Armenia is the great diversity of flora -- present

in abundance in some areas and completely absent in others, both

ends of the spectrum full of incomparable beauty.

The same is true of the views of Mount Ararat and Mount Aragat from its top portion.

History Museum of Armenia

The History Museum of Armenia is located in the city

center and preserves the ancient remains and relics of

Armenian civilization,

its birth and evolution. Particular emphasis must

be given to the geographic maps carved on stone, the pottery, and the paintings

hanging on the walls of the museum. They

represent the evolution and

development of the Armenian kingdom over

the century that has passed since its peak --

from an area of about 116 squaremiles to the current almost 10 thousand square

miles. This great little country has its own historical museum

that is linked to the legend of the birth of the nation

or the Armenian Hayastan. The town of Hayk is well

described in this museum especially through the

ancient scrolls and books with its strong Middle East

and Persian influence.

From north to south, through places ranging from high mountains, to plains to verdant rocky cliffs, the

Yerevan area is an awesome city to discover. You can go

through so many attractions and each of them will offer

something different, interesting bits of information,

and

new things to discover about a historic place. One of the greatest assets of

this large city is undoubtedly the immense and boundless landscape, with majestic mountains and countless rivers that

frame and shape the surrounding territory.

The best reward is that Yerevan offers unique and breathtaking scenery and a plethora of things to do.

Yerevan is a must in your travel itinerary and one of the amazing cities in Asia that you must see at least

once in your lifetime.

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