Yerevan

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and the oldest cities in the world. It is older than Rome and younger than Athens. It was founded in 782 BC by the orders of King Argishti . Situated

along the Hrazdan river , Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. Yerevan has

been the capital of Armenia since 1918 , when the Dashnakleader Aram Manukyan proclaimed the first Armenian

Democratic Republic.

Archeological exploration done in the 20th century in the sit e of former Erebuni fortress resulted in finding a basalt flagstone with

cuniform inscription on it. It reads “By the greatness of the God Khaldi, Argishti, son of Menua, built this mighty stronghold in 782 BC and proclaimed it Erebuni for the glory of Biainili and to the fear of its

enemies. Argishti says, “The land was a desert, before the great works I accomplished upon it. By the greatness of Khaldi, Argishti, son of

Menua, is a mighty king, king of Biainili, and ruler of Tushpa.”

Erebuni was a fort also a military stronghold, citadel to protect the northern extreme of Ararat Plain in the time of Urartu kingdom from the attacks of the north

Caucasian tribes Skythian ,Alans, Kimers. However during the centuries Erebuni was subjected to Arabic and

Turkish attacks, consequently they greatly damaged the fortress.

However, the city expanded rapidly during the 20th century as Armenia became one of the fifteen republics in the Soviet Union. At

the start of the 20th century, Yerevan was a small provincial town with the population of 30,000. Within fifty years, Yerevan was

transformed and became Armenia’s principal cultural, artistic, and industrial center, as well as the seat of national government. In 1991 with the independence of Armenia, Yerevan continued with its status

as the political and cultural center of the country, being home to all the national institutions: the Government house, the Parliament,

ministries, the presidential palace, the constitutional court, judicial court and other public organizations.

Today’s Yerevan is a big and beautiful city, and has population of more than onemillion. It is situated in the North –Eastern part of the Ararat Valley along the

Hrazdan River. The central part of the city involves three main squares: Republic Square, Theatrical Square Sakharov Square. Republic Square is the gemstone of the

city. A few governmental and administrative buildings built in national traditional style of architecture frame the square. The buildings are built with Tufa stone. The warm color of Tufa and carvings made on them give specific charm to the buildings. The

History museum, the National four main streets meet in the square they’re Abovyan, Amiryan, Nalbandyan and Tigran the Great. Those who travel to Armenia by plane

land at the Zvatrnots Airport located to the South-West of the city. So they enter the city from the South-Western side passing along the Victory Bridge.

The name of Yerevan comes from

In one of old documents “Girq Grqots” the name of the city was first mentioned as Yerevan in the seventh

century Ad.

By Karlen Arustamyan