Yerevan walking city tour

1. National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.