Yerevan: City History, Museums and Culture

Yerevan is a destination whose history dates back to the Urartian period. The city was founded in 782 BC, when the Erebuni fortress was built. Today, its cultural offerings range from this early history to churches, museums and contemporary art. You can tailor your stay to a historical period or cultural interest.

Urartu and the origins of the city

The fortress city of Erebuni was founded by Argishti I on the southeastern outskirts of Yerevan. The UNESCO Tentative List entry “Urartian Heritage of Yerevan” includes Erebuni, Karmir Blur and the Biainian Tomb of Yerevan. Tentative List status is not the same as inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Biainian Tomb of Yerevan is the only known monumental Urartian tomb in the Caucasus. The Erebuni Historical and Archaeological Reserve-Museum was founded in 1968 and is an important Urartian research center in the region. Erebuni thus connects Yerevan’s founding history with archaeological sites and regional research.

Squares, architecture and neighborhoods

Republic Square is Yerevan’s central and most famous square, as well as a symbol of Armenia. The Cascade offers a different atmosphere, bringing together art, architecture, urban life and green spaces. The Cafesjian Sculpture Garden in the Cascade complex features works by renowned artists; the Cafesjian Center for the Arts presents contemporary art in Armenia.

Kond is one of the oldest neighborhoods in central Yerevan. Another historic landmark is Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church, the city’s mother cathedral. It was built between 1996 and 2001 in commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity becoming Armenia’s state religion. Alongside striking city squares, you can discover the history of neighborhoods and buildings with a specific historical connection.

Museums with a range of focuses

The Matenadaran is a repository for manuscripts, a museum and a scientific research institute. The Yerevan History Museum represents the city’s cultural heritage; the National Gallery of Armenia is a major museum of Armenian fine art. The Museum of Folk Arts named after Hovhannes Sharambeyan promotes tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is dedicated to presenting contemporary art in Armenia. These institutions therefore cover a range of areas, from manuscripts and city history to fine, folk and contemporary art.

City life and getting around

Yerevan’s main museums, parks, cafés and cultural centers are located in the city center. The city is considered easy to explore on foot. Tourist information centers, maps, apps, multilingual guides and tourist services can help you find your way around. The food scene is also varied: Yerevan has hundreds of cafés, restaurants, markets, pubs and food venues. They serve traditional dishes as well as cuisines from various countries.

Another way to discover Yerevan’s history, culture and architecture is the 90-minute Yerevan City Tour. It starts and ends at France Square and also introduces visitors to the city’s historical and cultural monuments and sights. The tour uses open-top double-decker buses. Check the latest tour information before your visit.

For the main travel overview: Yerevan.