THIS IS YEREVAN! A TOP TEN OF SIGHTS IN THE SPECTACULAR CAPITAL OF ARMENIA

Описание: Is Yerevan worth visiting? YES, YES, YES! Yerevan, capital of Armenia since 1918 and home to one third of the country’s population - and also one of my favourite capital cities to visit. I want to give you my personal top ten sights.

FILMED NOVEMBER 2024
JONATHAN WHEELER
‪@TravelObscurer‬
Music licensed through Artlist
Additional drone footage licensed through Envato.

Let’s start with some shopping at Yerevan’s famous Vernissage market. It’s open all week but the vernissage really comes to life at weekends. You’ll find carpets, Armenian crafts from woodwork to embroidery, Soviet memorabilia, everything really, including vintage Charles Aznavour records. Locals love it but for tourists it really is a souvenir paradise.
Next up Yerevan’s incredible Cascade. At its most basic this was a project to link the centre with the upper part of the city. It was the vision of architect Alexander Tamanian, whose oversized statue welcomes you to the outdoor sculpture park at the foot of the cascade. This is a treasure trove of public art, particularly if you admire the work of Fernando Botero. The cascade project stalled when the Soviet Union fell but in 2002 the Cafesjian Family Foundation took up the baton and you can now climb above the city on a marble staircase whilst inside you’ll find the Cafesjian centre for the arts. Climb to the very top and it’s just a short walk to Mother Armenia. She has defended the city with her sword since 1967. Before that Stalin occupied the plinth. A Soviet writer of the time wrote, Stalin’s gaze rests upon the splendour of the Armenian socialist capital, upon its new handsome buildings, its wide green avenues and upon the central square in the opposite end of the town. That square was then called Lenin square but is now Republic square. One of the best examples of good Soviet architecture anywhere in the world. In summer the dancing fountains are a real treat but I’m making this visit in November so, alas, I can’t include the fountains in my top ten. 10 minutes from the square you’ll find Yerevan’s modern cathedral, dedicated to Gregory the Illuminator. It was consecrated in 2001 on the 1700th anniversary of christianity becoming the state religion. Symbolically it also has 1700 seats for the congregation.
From the cathedral it’s a short hop to Yerevan’s main market, and if you are tempted by Armenian dried fruit then the displays here will knock you out. The market also overflows with stalls selling vegetables, fruit, meat and cheese, you won’t leave the market empty-handed.
On the subject of food and drink I must mention Armenian Brandy, particularly the Ararat and Not brands. Their factories face each other across Victory bridge. From brandy to ballet
Remember the architect Tamanian? Well he also designed Yerevan’s Opera House, which sits in the heart of the city.
Leaving the opera house I strolled with the crowds down North Avenue. This is the main pedestrian shopping and dining street, linking the opera house with Republic Square. Busy at all hours of the day it’s a place to see and be seen
The composer Aram Khatchaturian was one of Armenia’s greatest icons, enthralling Audiences around the Soviet Union and in the west. The museum in his honour is built over the private residence that he used when staying in Yerevan and is a must if you have any interest in his colourful life.
Now to a very different museum. Between 1915 and 1916 over 1 million Armenians living in eastern Anatolia, then part of the Ottoman Empire were expelled from their homes and sent on death marches by Ottoman Turk forces. Very few survived the deportations. The full horror is explained at the Armenian Genocide Museum. This crime against the Armenian people should be in the history books of every nation.
The oldest church in central Yerevan is the 13th century Holy Mother of God church. Sitting in the shadow of the much newer Saint Anna church it was only discovered by accident in 1936 when the Soviets destroyed the large basilica that had encased it for around 300 years.
The Art Museum sits in the same building as the National Museum - also a must-see. It contains a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibitions but has a particular focus on Armenian artists, both classical and contemporary. The highlight for me was seeing medieval art from Armenia’s churches and monasteries blown up to enormous proportions.
The Metro in Yerevan is understated but it’s worth looking for Youth station.
On a much grander scale Yerevan station is a Soviet masterpiece.
Dating from the time when Eastern Armenia fell inside the Persian empire, don’t miss the 18th century Blue Mosque. The cats will show you around.