First time in Armenia? Wish to explore the city and don’t know where to start? Here is your cheat sheet!
Grigor Lusavorich church
You can start your tour from Grigor Lusavorich church, which is located in Yervand Kochar street.
The church was built by Catholicos Vazgen the First’s initiative and was dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of adopting Christianity as a state religion. Catholicos has personally put a plaque at the site of construction of the cathedral.
The monastery consists of three churches. In front of the entrance of the church you will see the belfry and vestibule with more than 30 arches. Vestibule houses the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which Garegin II brought from St. Gregory Armenian church of Naples. The halls for receptions and church-related activities are in the lower floor of the church. It is the biggest among the churches of Armenia having approximately 3,822 square meter complex area, and the highest point of the cathedral cross the floor is 54 meters high.
The opening ceremony of the church took place in 2001.
Grigor Lusavorich Church
Down the church toward Tigran Mets street there is a small entertainment park and the statue of Zoravar Andranik. As your route passes through the park you may want to have a quick look around and shot few nice photos on this marvelous background.
Statue of Zoravar Andranik
Continuing your route through Tigran Mets you will enter Republic Square in 5-7 minutes.
Republic Square
Republic Square
Main project of the Square was created by the architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1924, constructed in 1926-1958, and from 1940 to 1990 was called Lenin Square.
The Square is imposed by 5 magnificent buildings. Those are the Government Building, Ministery of Trade and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia Marriott hotel and the building of History Museum and National Art Gallery of Armenia.
Behind the fountain stands the building of History Museum and National Art Gallery of Armenia. Facade and colonnade show off with their symmetry. The first floor was built by Tamanyan and includes the History Museum of Armenia. The collection of prehistoric and Asia Minor artifacts gathered under this roof can be classified as the best in the world. The upper floors of the building were constructed in later period.
This is how the Square looks.
Republic Square
You might want to come back in the evening to enjoy the beautiful songs and erratic fountain jumps along with locals and tourists from all over the world.
Singing Fountains
Vernisaj
Are you one of those who grab a souvenir in every country visited? If yes, then this is the high time!
Turn right on the corner of the building with clock in the facade and in 3 minutes you will see the market where you will find all Armenian style, handmade or other creative gifts, decors with flexible prices and for any taste.
After you get your memento from Armenia, turn back and walk toward Republic square untill you get to Abovyan street. Rising up through Abovyan you will enter Northern avenue in 3 minutes.
Northern Avenue
Opera house
The Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendiaryan was founded in 1933. The chief architect was again Alexander Tamanyan. It consists of two concert halls: the Aram Khatchaturian concert hall with 1,400 seats and the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Theatre with 1,200 seats. The first performance was “Almast” opera by Alexander Spendiaryan, which premiered on January 20, 1933. Since it was opened, the Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre has performed more than 200 different operas and ballets by Armenian, Russian and Western European composers. The theatre was represented in more than 20 countries.
After having a look to this excellent conformation, you can turn righ and face to a small spiffy lake in the heart of Yerevan.
Swan Lake
Peaceful place, lot of youth and many colors. This is what makes this place so unique in the city hassle. It is also the place where Kyne West performed his amazing show while being in Armenia.
On the other side of the lake you will find the statue of famous Armenian composer and pianist Arno Babajanyan.
Arno Babajanyan
Bypassing the opera house either from left or right you will get to the French Square.
French Square
Turning left and crossing the street you will find yourself in front of the Cascade. First thing you will see in Cascade is the statue of Alexander Tamanyan.
Alexander Tamanyan
Cascade
Mother Armenia
Tired and impressed by what you have seen during your city trip? You are lucky to be on the right place. There is a small cozy cafe called EL Garden on the park. You can enjoy your evening meal there and if you still have the energy to go on with the trip, you can take the random taxi and return back to Republic Square to enjoy Arno Babajanyan’s music and the daft dance of fountains. Taxi will cost you no more than 3 usd.
Source: http://natoura.am/2016/02/26/walking-route-in-yerevan/
Grigor Lusavorich church
You can start your tour from Grigor Lusavorich church, which is located in Yervand Kochar street.
The church was built by Catholicos Vazgen the First’s initiative and was dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of adopting Christianity as a state religion. Catholicos has personally put a plaque at the site of construction of the cathedral.
The monastery consists of three churches. In front of the entrance of the church you will see the belfry and vestibule with more than 30 arches. Vestibule houses the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, which Garegin II brought from St. Gregory Armenian church of Naples. The halls for receptions and church-related activities are in the lower floor of the church. It is the biggest among the churches of Armenia having approximately 3,822 square meter complex area, and the highest point of the cathedral cross the floor is 54 meters high.
The opening ceremony of the church took place in 2001.
Grigor Lusavorich Church
Down the church toward Tigran Mets street there is a small entertainment park and the statue of Zoravar Andranik. As your route passes through the park you may want to have a quick look around and shot few nice photos on this marvelous background.
Statue of Zoravar Andranik
Continuing your route through Tigran Mets you will enter Republic Square in 5-7 minutes.
Republic Square
Republic Square
Main project of the Square was created by the architect Alexander Tamanyan in 1924, constructed in 1926-1958, and from 1940 to 1990 was called Lenin Square.
The Square is imposed by 5 magnificent buildings. Those are the Government Building, Ministery of Trade and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenia Marriott hotel and the building of History Museum and National Art Gallery of Armenia.
Behind the fountain stands the building of History Museum and National Art Gallery of Armenia. Facade and colonnade show off with their symmetry. The first floor was built by Tamanyan and includes the History Museum of Armenia. The collection of prehistoric and Asia Minor artifacts gathered under this roof can be classified as the best in the world. The upper floors of the building were constructed in later period.
This is how the Square looks.
Republic Square
You might want to come back in the evening to enjoy the beautiful songs and erratic fountain jumps along with locals and tourists from all over the world.
Singing Fountains
Vernisaj
Are you one of those who grab a souvenir in every country visited? If yes, then this is the high time!
Turn right on the corner of the building with clock in the facade and in 3 minutes you will see the market where you will find all Armenian style, handmade or other creative gifts, decors with flexible prices and for any taste.
After you get your memento from Armenia, turn back and walk toward Republic square untill you get to Abovyan street. Rising up through Abovyan you will enter Northern avenue in 3 minutes.
Northern avenue
Northern Avenue is a 500 meter street in downtown Yerevan. It links the Opera House and the Republic Square. Avenue includes apartments, restaurants, shops and offices. The main architect of the Northern Avenue was Alexander Tamanyan. Later it was redrafted by the architect Jim Torosyan.
Even from the other side of the Avenue you will notice the grave building of Opera house, where you are heading to.
Northern Avenue is a 500 meter street in downtown Yerevan. It links the Opera House and the Republic Square. Avenue includes apartments, restaurants, shops and offices. The main architect of the Northern Avenue was Alexander Tamanyan. Later it was redrafted by the architect Jim Torosyan.
Even from the other side of the Avenue you will notice the grave building of Opera house, where you are heading to.
Northern Avenue
Opera house
The Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre after Alexander Spendiaryan was founded in 1933. The chief architect was again Alexander Tamanyan. It consists of two concert halls: the Aram Khatchaturian concert hall with 1,400 seats and the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Theatre with 1,200 seats. The first performance was “Almast” opera by Alexander Spendiaryan, which premiered on January 20, 1933. Since it was opened, the Armenian National Opera & Ballet Theatre has performed more than 200 different operas and ballets by Armenian, Russian and Western European composers. The theatre was represented in more than 20 countries.
After having a look to this excellent conformation, you can turn righ and face to a small spiffy lake in the heart of Yerevan.
Swan Lake
Peaceful place, lot of youth and many colors. This is what makes this place so unique in the city hassle. It is also the place where Kyne West performed his amazing show while being in Armenia.
On the other side of the lake you will find the statue of famous Armenian composer and pianist Arno Babajanyan.
Arno Babajanyan
Bypassing the opera house either from left or right you will get to the French Square.
French Square
Turning left and crossing the street you will find yourself in front of the Cascade. First thing you will see in Cascade is the statue of Alexander Tamanyan.
Alexander Tamanyan
Cascade
The Cascade is a giant stairway in Yerevan. It links the downtown Kentron area of Yerevan with the Monument neighborhood. The construction of the cascade designed by architects Jim Torosyan, Aslan Mkhitaryan, Sargis Gurzadyan was launched in 1971 and completed in 1980. On the first floor of the stairs indide the building you can find Cafesjian Museum of Art. You may rise up the stairs or use the elevator inside to get to the top. In case you use the elevator, come out in each floor to enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of the design and have the magnificent view of the city.
The Cascade is a giant stairway in Yerevan. It links the downtown Kentron area of Yerevan with the Monument neighborhood. The construction of the cascade designed by architects Jim Torosyan, Aslan Mkhitaryan, Sargis Gurzadyan was launched in 1971 and completed in 1980. On the first floor of the stairs indide the building you can find Cafesjian Museum of Art. You may rise up the stairs or use the elevator inside to get to the top. In case you use the elevator, come out in each floor to enjoy the aesthetic pleasure of the design and have the magnificent view of the city.
Cascade
Mother Armenia
Perhaps you noticed a statue in the distance while you were in French Square. It was mother Armenia – a female personification of Armenia in a visual rendering of a monumental statue. In the end of cascade stairs you will find another entertainment park on the end of which you will see the statue proudly looking at the city.
The Mother Armenia statue symbolizes peace through strength. Its location on a hill overlooking Yerevan makes it look like a guardian of the Armenian capital. Mother statue is there since spring 1962, replacing the statue of Stalin. The statue is designed by Ara Harutyunyan.
Perhaps you noticed a statue in the distance while you were in French Square. It was mother Armenia – a female personification of Armenia in a visual rendering of a monumental statue. In the end of cascade stairs you will find another entertainment park on the end of which you will see the statue proudly looking at the city.
The Mother Armenia statue symbolizes peace through strength. Its location on a hill overlooking Yerevan makes it look like a guardian of the Armenian capital. Mother statue is there since spring 1962, replacing the statue of Stalin. The statue is designed by Ara Harutyunyan.
Mother Armenia
Tired and impressed by what you have seen during your city trip? You are lucky to be on the right place. There is a small cozy cafe called EL Garden on the park. You can enjoy your evening meal there and if you still have the energy to go on with the trip, you can take the random taxi and return back to Republic Square to enjoy Arno Babajanyan’s music and the daft dance of fountains. Taxi will cost you no more than 3 usd.
