Etchmiadzin, Mother Cathedral, St. Gayane, St. Hripsime, Zvartnots Cathedral, Yerevan City Tour

1. Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral

"According to tradition, the main church was built in the place where Miadzin descended, Etchmiadzin. In Gregory's vision, Christ shows the place of the main temple with a golden hammer. The oldest cathedral in the world, founded in 303, was destined to become an important witness and participant in the history of the Armenian people. Being the most important center of the Armenian Church's world network, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral is now represented by a large area, including many old and new churches, secular structures, libraries, a seminary, etc."

2. St. Gayane

The series of glorious churches of the seventh century continues with St. Gayane, which was founded only 12 years later than St. Hripsime. This church, built in 630, was built on the grave of a Christian virgin who died in Armenia at the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th century, about 3 centuries after her death. The church was restored in 1652. There are many coffins in the yard, among them famous military and cultural figures of the Armenian people.

3. St. Hripsime

According to experts, Saint Hripsime's architecture is considered one of the best Armenian examples. Here, for the first time, Armenian niches providing seismic resistance were used. The construction of the huge church was completed in 618, leaving behind a great architectural legacy, the details of which are still used today.

4. Zvartnots Cathedral

Despite being destroyed, Zvartnots continues to be unique in terms of its spiritual, cultural and architectural significance. This huge church named after the angels had been built for 9 years and consecrated in 652. The wonderful temple with a height of 46-49 meters was destroyed, probably as a result of an earthquake, after which such churches were no longer built in Armenia. The real appearance of Zvartnots was unknown for a long time until architect T. Toramanian proposed the real initial form of the church, which was later proven by other historical facts.

5. Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre

The A. Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater opened on January 20, 1933, with a performance of Spendiaryan’s opera Almast. The unique design of the theater building was created by chief architect Alexander Tamanyan. The building holds great significance for Armenian Soviet architecture, as it harmoniously incorporates the best traditions of national architecture, creating a new quality and a modern resonance. In front of the concert hall, a monument to the world-famous composer Aram Khachaturian was installed in 1999.

6. Cascade Complex

The Cascade Complex project was originally included in the 1924 master plan for Soviet Yerevan. Architect Alexander Tamanyan envisioned the Cascade as a way to connect Yerevan’s central and northern districts. However, the project was brought to life decades later, in the 1970s, under Yerevan’s chief architect Jim Torosyan, and later, between 2002 and 2009, it was further developed by Gerard Cafesjian, an American-Armenian businessman and philanthropist.

7. Matenadaran

The Matenadaran is the first scientific-research institution in Armenia, established in 1921 based on the manuscript repository of Etchmiadzin. In 1939, the Matenadaran was moved from Etchmiadzin to Yerevan and housed in the Public Library building. The construction of the Matenadaran building in Yerevan began in 1945, based on the design of architect Mark Grigoryan, and was completed in 1957. By a decision of the Soviet Armenian government, in 1959, it was transformed into the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, and in 1962, it was named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet.

8. Republic Square

Republic Square is the main square of Yerevan, designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan in the 1924 master plan of the city. It serves as a major urban and transportation hub, as well as a venue for various events and gatherings. The square features the singing fountains, two major museums—the History Museum of Armenia and the National Gallery, along with government buildings constructed between the 1920s and 1950s, the Central Post Office of Armenia, and the Marriott Hotel. The Republic Square complex is considered one of the finest examples of Soviet-era architecture, earning the State Prize of the Armenian SSR in 1971.