Yerevan City Tour
Right behind the statue of Alexander Tamanyan, the architect of central Yerevan is the famous Cascades. This massive staircase that connects central Yerevan to the Victory Park is scented by flowers growing on multiple levels. Each level of Cascades presents statues from world known sculptors such as Lynn Chadwick and Fernando Botero, cross stones and a wider scene of the city. On top of stairs a collection of statues from Fernando Botero is presented and a memorial column for the 50 anniversary of Soviet Armenia is erected. Located in Cascade the Gafesjian Center for the Arts opened in November 2009 and is dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary art to Armenia. The Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions.
Under artistic supervision of the Opera house, where the most eminent performers of the world bring into play their power of creativity to liberate everyone's soul to take us to their world of freedom and art is the Freedom Square. This Square once assembled milions of Armenians to claim their independence. In 1988, when Artsakh (Karabakh) movement started, this modest square would often gather over half million people to decide the future or Armenia. Many and many devoted Armenians have taken oath in this square and left to army to protect Armenia and Armenians in Artsakh. This place historically has been a sacred place for Armenians; it has been a destination for pilgrimages. Up to 1920 instead of the Opera house was a park in which the Getsemen Church the oldest pilgrimage destination in Yerevan was standing. Now, over 80 years after the church has been replaced by the Opera building, one of the treasures in Yerevan and over 15 years after the reestablishment of Armenian independence, people maintain their love and deep respect towards Freedom Square. Currently, this square hosts significant statues of Hovhannes Tumanian, a beloved Armenian poet and Alexander Spendiaryan, the famous composer. The Square is surrounded by attractive cafes. A great place to relax watching children in their game, a great place to skate, a great place to meet local Armenians, to try Armenian beer and ice-cream.
At the upper end of Mashtots Avenue, is Matenadaran, with its solemn facade facing Ararat. Impressing statues of Mashtots, the creator of Armenian Alphabet and other eminent Armenians; Koryun, Gosh, Shirakatsi, Tatevatsi etc. are erected in front of Matenadaran. Matenadaran, which was built in 1959, has one of the world's largest manuscript collections in the world and has the largest collection of Armenian manuscripts. It has over 17 000 units which include numerous fragments from Armenian and foreign ancient manuscripts, complete parchments, copies of first printed books etc. The oldest manuscript, that has been preserved completely, is the Vehamor (Our Lady) Gospel written in the 7th century. Some of the most impressing items in Matenadaran are the Msho Charentir, the largest manuscript that weighs over 27 kilos and the tiny church calendar of 1434 which not bigger than a passport photo and which weighs only 19 grams. Many manuscripts with Armenian miniature done with Armenian Red, a magnificent dyestuff discovered in ancient Armenia are exhibited in Matenadaran. This special paint was first documented to exist in 714 B.C. and was made from worms peculiar only to Ararat plain. The Armenian Cochineal was used in rugs and in miniatures, which maintain their vivid color even after centuries. Matenadaran is not only a museum, but a major research center. There is a large library functioning adjacent to Matenadaran, which is truly the most important scientific center for Armenian studies. Even a very short visit to Matenadaran, (Shelf for Parchments) will reveal the vital role the Armenian language and the Armenian Alphabet have played in world culture.
Armenian brandy is the pride of Armenians: it accompanies every single wedding and celebration and its story goes back all the way to Noah, when he planted the first wine tree. The Yerevan Brandy Factory itself was founded in 1887 when Nikolay Tairyan built a cognac factory in the place of old Erivan Castle. Soon after in 1900 Shustov, the next owner of Cognac factory presented his production to an exhibition in Paris and received a Grand Prize for the drink. In addition to the prize Shustov's production received the permission to be called Cognac. This was the start of the winning campaign as in 1913 the Brandy factory became one of 30 companies to provide production to His Excellency the Emperor. The list of devotees to the Armenian Brandy includes many celebrities such as Sir Winston Churchill to whom the provision of Brandy was maintained by Stalin himself. In his late years, when Churchill was asked what the secret of his long life was, he answered: "Never be late for lunch, smoke Hawaiian cigars and drink Armenian Brandy". Yerevan Brandy Factory is the right place to receive first hand information regarding the techniques of production, to taste this legendary drink.
A good place to start learning about Armenia! Within hours, the guests in History Museum travel through millenniums that Armenians have aged through. 2000 year old silver and golden coins, a model of 1000 year old Ani, the capital of Armenia from 961 to 1045, also known as "the city of 1000 and 1 churches", ancient Armenian and Greek potteries, unique wood carved doors of holy churches, vivid carpets and rocks, weapons and superb original ornaments. Each item in this Museum will serve as a trustworthy means of access to Armenia's past, to Armenian spirit and to Armenian culture. Located in the heart of a very modern city of Yerevan, the History Museum grants its visitors all the keys to understand Armenia, and Armenians.
