Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia, a rose-tuff city of about 1.1 million people set at roughly 900-1,300 m above sea level on the Hrazdan River, with snow-capped Mount Ararat visible across the Turkish border on clear days. Founded as the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC, it combines Soviet-era neoclassical planning around Republic Square, the Cascade arts complex, the Matenadaran manuscript library, the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial, outdoor cafes, brandy cellars and a growing wine-bar scene. Visitors come for Armenian food and hospitality, very low prices by European standards, and easy day trips to Garni, Geghard, Khor Virap, Echmiadzin and Lake Sevan.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Yerevan.
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1
Erebuni founded
King Argishti I of Urartu founds the fortress of Erebuni on Arin Berd hill; the Urartian foundation inscription is the basis for Yerevan's claim to be among the world's oldest cities, celebrated at the 2,750th anniversary in 1968
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2
Garni Temple
The Hellenistic temple at Garni is built east of Yerevan; it was ruined by an earthquake in 1679 and rebuilt in the 20th century
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3
Christianity adopted
Armenia becomes the first state to adopt Christianity under King Tiridates III, traditionally after St Gregory the Illuminator was released from the pit now marked by Khor Virap
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4
Zvartnots Cathedral
Catholicos Nerses III builds the round cathedral of Zvartnots near Vagharshapat; it collapsed in the 10th century and survives as a ruin
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5
Ottoman Erivan Fortress
Ottoman forces build a large fortress at Erivan during the Ottoman-Safavid wars, shifting the town's centre away from Erebuni
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6
Russian conquest
Russian forces under General Paskevich take Erivan from Persia; the town grows slowly as a provincial centre
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7
First Republic of Armenia
Armenia declares independence on 28 May 1918, with Yerevan as capital
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8
Soviet Armenia
Armenia becomes a Soviet republic in December 1920; architect Alexander Tamanyan draws the master plan of the modern pink-tuff city
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9
Genocide commemoration
Mass demonstrations on the 50th anniversary of 1915 lead the Soviet authorities to approve the Tsitsernakaberd memorial, completed in 1967
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10
Spitak earthquake
An earthquake on 7 December 1988 devastates northern Armenia, killing tens of thousands
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11
Independence
Armenia declares independence from the Soviet Union in September 1991
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12
Velvet Revolution
Street protests in Yerevan lead to a change of government in spring 2018
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13
Karabakh war
War over Nagorno-Karabakh in autumn 2020 reshapes the region and brings refugees and political change to Yerevan
Historical sites
Places where Yerevan's past comes alive.
Erebuni Fortress
Where: Erebuni district, Yerevan
Admission: AMD 1,500 ($4.10)
Matenadaran
Where: Yerevan
Admission: AMD 2,000 ($5.50)
Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial
Where: Yerevan
Admission: Free
Blue Mosque
Where: Yerevan
Admission: Free
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
Where: Yerevan
Admission: Free
Surb Katoghike Church
Where: Yerevan
Admission: Free
Republic Square
Where: Yerevan
Admission: Free
History Museum of Armenia
Where: Yerevan
Admission: About AMD 2,500 ($6.90)
Mother Armenia and Military Museum
Where: Victory Park, Yerevan
Admission: Reported free (unconfirmed)
Ararat Yerevan Brandy Company
Where: Yerevan
Admission: Tours about AMD 12,700-26,000 ($35-73)
Garni Temple
Where: Garni village, Kotayk Province (about 30 km east of Yerevan)
Admission: About AMD 1,500 ($4.10) per tour-operator listings
Geghard Monastery
Where: Geghard, Kotayk Province (about 40 km east of Yerevan)
Admission: Entrance fee not retrieved
Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins
Where: Vagharshapat area (about 15 km west of Yerevan)
Admission: Entrance fee not retrieved
Khor Virap Monastery
Where: Ararat Province (about 45 km south of Yerevan)
Admission: Entrance fee not retrieved