The oldest city in Armenia. What is the name of the capital of Armenia

Just the other day I was asked a question about opera and classical music festivals in Italy. It is no secret that this country is not only famous for its beautiful architecture, breathtaking landscapes and rich history, but also for the famous composers who were born here: Giacomo Puccini, Gioacchino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi ... Every summer, music and opera festivals are held in many Italian cities, which guests come from all over the world. The most popular will be discussed today. I will leave their names, dates, short description as well as links to websites. The article will be divided geographically, starting with the northern regions of Italy.

Piedmont

Stresa, Lake Maggiore

Festival in Stresa
Stresa Festival, Lake Maggiore

One of the most important classical music festivals in Europe takes place every year on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. It is also known as Stresa Music Week. The history of the festival began in 1961 at the initiative of a lawyer from an aristocratic Venetian family, Italo Trentinaglia de Daverio, whose father was at one time the director of the La Scala theater in Milan and the La Fenice theater in Venice. The Stresa Festival is also a great start for young performers.

Festival dates

• July 18 - September 8

Program:

Tickets from 5 euros

Veneto

Verona

Opera festival in the Arena di Verona
Arena Opera Festival

For more than a hundred years, with interruptions during the First and Second World Wars, the walls of one of the oldest Roman amphitheaters in the world host an opera festival every summer. Its history began back in 1913, when opera singer Giovanni Zenatello and impresario Ottone Rovato from Verona proposed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi by staging the opera Aida in the walls of the Arena. Its peculiarity was that the scenery was not drawn, but voluminous, i.e. by modern standards it was a performance in 3D. The first performance was an incredible success. Franz Kafka, Maxim Gorky and many others came to the opening famous people those times. That is why every year there is a performance of the opera “Aida” in the festival schedule.

AT different times such famous opera singers and singers as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Placido Domingo can still be heard here.

Festival dates

• June 23 - August 25

In a programme:

• Aida (1913 production)
• Aida (modern interpretation)
• Nabucco
• Madama Butterfly
• Rigoletto
• Yearning
• Performance by Placido Domingo

Ticket prices from 22 euros

The schedule of performances can be viewed on the official website

Emilia-Romagna

Festival in Ravenna
Ravenna Festival, Ravenna

The Ravnea Music Festival was founded in 1990 on the initiative of Cristina Mazzavillani Muti. It combines many genres of culture: symphonic ethnic music, opera, theater, ballet, musicals, jazz.

Festival dates

• May 25 - July 22
• November 17 – 23

Tuscany

Florence

Florentine Musical May
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

The Academic Music Festival was first held in 1933 in Florence and is considered to be the oldest festival of its kind in Italy and the second in Europe after Salzburg. It was originally conceived as an opera, but gradually ballet, symphony concerts, solo performances, etc. were added to the program.

See the official website for the schedule and dates of events.

Puccini Opera Festival
Festival Puccini, Torre del lago

Every summer in Tuscany, on the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli, there is an opera festival named after the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. It was here that he lived for many years and wrote many of his works. The festival was first organized by Puccini's friends Giovaccino Forzano and Pietro Mascagni in 1930.
Performances take place in the open-air Teatro dei Quatromilla, which has 3,200 seats.

Festival dates in 2017

• July 14 - August 18

Tickets from 19 euros

www.puccinifestival.it

Marche

Pesaro

Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro
Pesaro Rossini Opera Festival

Every year in August, the birthplace of the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini in the city of Pesaro hosts an opera festival named after him. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it is within its framework that you can hear less famous works composer.

Festival dates

• August 10 – 22

Program:

Tickets from 20 euros

Macerata

Sferisterio Opera Festival, Macerata
Sferisterio Opera Festival, Macerata

It takes place every summer at the Sferisterio Theater in Macerata. It was built in 1829 by Ireneo Aleandiri and was originally used for ball games, jousting, bull fighting and other events. In 1921, the first production of the opera "Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi was presented here. This year is considered the starting point opera festival in Macerata, which takes place here every year. A long break was made for the period of the Second World War and the subsequent years of recovery after its end.

The Sferisterio is famous for its excellent acoustics, as well as the longest stage in Europe.
AT different years such famous opera singers and singers as Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballe, Placido Domingo, Renato Brusson and others performed here.

Festival dates

• July 21 - August 14

Program:

• Turandot
• Madama Butterfly

Tickets from 20 euros

Umbria

Spoleto

Festival of Two Worlds, Spoleto
Festival dei Due Mondi, Spoleto

The festival is considered one of the most important in Umbria. It was created in 1958 on the initiative of the composer Gian Carlo Menotti. His idea ended up being to combine the two different cultures and two around the world- European and American.

The festival brings together musicians, artists and artists. He received more recognition in international level. That is why every year Umbria receives guests of honor from all over the world.

Festival dates

• June 30 - July 16

The schedule of events, as well as ticket prices, can be found on the official website of the festival:

Lazio

Rome

Opera Festival in Themes of Caracalla in Rome
Teatro dell'Opera di Roma Festival d'estate alle Terme di Caracalla

The peculiarity of the festival is that the evenings are held in the open air at the place where at the beginning of the first millennium the baths of the emperor Caracalla were located.

Festival dates

• June 28 - August 9

Program:

• Carmen
• Nabucco
• Yearning
• Roberto Bolle (ballet)

As early as the beginning of the 20th century in the territory Ottoman Empire there were more than 2 million Armenian inhabitants, 2.5 thousand Armenian churches, more than a thousand schools, houses, monasteries and libraries. After 1915, most of them were slaughtered, deported or converted to Islam on pain of death, and out of a thousand churches, one part was turned into mosques, and the other was razed to the ground. This article will focus on 8 ancient, economically and culturally developed cities of Western Armenia, which are now part of modern Turkey.

Adana is located on the Seyhan River, 50 km from the Mediterranean coast. The city was part of the Cilician kingdom and was of strategic importance, carried on significant trade with the cities of Asia Minor and Syria. By the beginning of the 20th century, the population of the province of Adana was 490,000 people, 41.8% of which were Armenians and only 15.9% were Turks. Previously, the center of the Adana diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church was located here. But by the decision of the Turkish authorities, Armenian schools, houses, gardens, churches were destroyed and the Armenian population was exterminated. Today Adana is a major industrial center, where textile, chemical and food industry.

In the east of modern Turkey, the ancient capital of the Armenian kingdom of Ani, founded more than 1600 years ago on the banks of the Akhuryan River, is located. On a hill formed by the gorge of the Akhuryan River and the Bostanlar valley, the city was located at the intersection of several trade routes of a triangular hill. Its main trading partners were the Byzantine and Persian empires, the Arabs, as well as the peoples Central Asia and today's Russia. At one time, Ani was one of the most big cities in the world, it is now a ghost town. After the invasion of the Seljuk Turks, destruction and earthquakes, only emptiness and ruins remained from the city of "1001 churches".

Bitlis/ Bagesh

The ancient Armenian city of Bitlis is mentioned in history under a different name - Sebeos and Bagesh. Some historians believe that the location of the city in terms of trade and military strategy, at all times contributed to its growth and prosperity. One of the largest roads passed through the valley of the Bitlis River, connecting seaport Trebizond and major cities of central Armenia with Mesopotamia. The city was once captured by the Arabs (7th century), Byzantines (9th century), Kurds (10th century), Seljuks (12th century), and Ottoman Turks (16th century). Recall that the main population of the city was 400 thousand inhabitants, of which more than half were Armenians, who until the beginning of the 19th century remained the largest ethnic group. Those who managed to escape death during the genocide found refuge in Eastern Armenia.

Territory modern city Wang was the central part ancient kingdom Urartu. It was part of Greater Armenia, the kingdom of Vaspurakan, Byzantine Empire, Seljuk State, Ottoman Empire. Armenians made up the majority of the population in it for centuries, until they were evicted or exterminated in the period 1915-1923. While, Old city Van was completely destroyed, and a new one with the same name is located near the old ruins, which is now inhabited by Turks and Kurds. Today, the architectural traces of ancient civilizations have been preserved in the city of Van: the fortress of Van, the estate of the kings of Urartu of the 9th century BC. e., the Urartian castles of Kef and Ayanis, which are 2.5 thousand years old. Tourists are also attracted here by Lake Van. Another feature in Van are cats with multi-colored eyes.

Diyarbakir

During the time of the state of Mitanni, the city was called Amid, later in the era of the Artashesids -. The city survived numerous attacks, it was captured by the Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Seljuks, Ottomans and Kurds. At the beginning of the 20th century, more than 50% of the population was slaughtered; Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and Bulgarians. Currently, the city is completely occupied by the Kurds. In the early 30s, Amid was renamed Diyarbakir (in honor of the Kurdish Bekir tribe) and today it is unofficially considered the capital of Turkish Kurdistan. There is a high probability that, in addition to the Kurds, crypto-Armenians still live in the city, who, in order to avoid death, converted to Islam.

Kars

According to history, it was founded in the 4th century and was of great importance in the state and public life medieval Armenia, the center of the province of Vanand in the Ararat region and was considered major center handicrafts through which international trade went. At the beginning of the 10th century, the city was for some time the capital of Armenia, until the Armenian king Ashot III translated new capital in the city of Ani. So, in the 10-11 centuries Kars became the capital of the Armenian Vanand or Kars kingdom, which was ruled by the Armenian royal dynasty Bagratidov. To date, from Kars remained Armenian church, built by King Abas from the Bagratid dynasty (9th century), which in 1978 was turned into a fortress and a Kumbet mosque.

Mush is located to the west of Lake Van, on northern slopes Armenian Taurus, at the base of the low mountains of Korduk and Tsiranakatar. The river Megraget flows through the city. Mount Nemrut stands out in the surrounding landscape - one of the most beautiful mountains Armenian highlands and Mushskaya valley. It is believed that the name Mush comes from Armenian word"Mshush", which means fog or mist. According to an Armenian legend, the goddess Astghik often descended from Mount Grgur in the evenings to bathe in the river. She was very beautiful and the villagers often followed her, lighting fires on the hills to look at her. Upon learning of this, Astghik let in an impenetrable darkness to hide her nakedness while bathing. Since then, the city and the entire region has been covered in thick fog. So similar phenomenon began to be called Mshush, which eventually transformed into Mush. Now, in addition to Mount Nemrut, the city no longer has special attractions.

Erzurum/Karin

The peculiarity of the ancient city of Karin is its location on a high plain with an ancient fortress, castle and towers. Since ancient times, Karin has been famous throughout the East as the center of Armenian carpet weaving. When the ancient Armenian city was founded, Karin had many names: Theodosiopolis (during the reign of the Byzantine king Theodosius II), Ardzn-Rum (during the capture of the Persians and Arabs, 6th century), and Erzurum (with the invasion of the Turks and Mongols, 12th century). The Spanish historian, traveling around Samarkand, whose name has long been forgotten, wrote in one of his works that in Karin he was conquered by extraordinary churches that belonged to Armenian Christians. At the present time, the ruins of the Armenian city remained, and in 1915-1923, the Ottomans destroyed everything that was left of the churches, or turned it into a mosque.

The history of Ancient Armenia has more than one thousand years, and the Armenians themselves lived long before the emergence of nations modern Europe. They existed even before ancient peoples- Romans and Hellenes.

First mentions

In the cuneiform writings of the Persian rulers, the name "Arminia" is found. Herodotus also mentions "armen" in his writings. According to one version, it was an Indo-European people who migrated from Europe in the 12th century. BC e.

Another hypothesis claims that the pra-Armenian tribal unions arose for the first time in the 4th-3rd millennium BC. It is they who, according to some scholars, are found in the poem "Iliad" by Homer under the name "Arims".

One of the names of Ancient Armenia - Hai - according to the proposals of scientists, comes from the name of the people "Hayas". This name is mentioned on Hittite clay tablets in the 2nd millennium BC. e., discovered at archaeological excavations Hattushashi - ancient capital the Hittites.

There is evidence that the Assyrians called this territory the country of rivers - Nairi. According to one hypothesis, it included 60 different peoples.

At the beginning of the ninth century BC e. a powerful kingdom of Urartu arose with the capital Van. It is believed that this is the oldest state on the territory Soviet Union. The civilization of Urartu, the successors of which were the Armenians, was quite developed. There was a written language based on the Babylonian-Assyrian cuneiform, agriculture, cattle breeding, and metallurgy.

Urartu was famous for the technology of erecting impregnable fortresses. On the territory of modern Yerevan there were two of them. The first - Erebuni, was built by one of the first kings Argishti. It was she who gave the name of the modern capital of Armenia. The second is Teishebaini, founded by King Rusa II (685-645 BC). This was the last ruler of Urartu. The state could not resist the powerful Assyria and perished forever from its weapons.

It was replaced by a new state. The first kings of Ancient Armenia - Yerwand and Tigran. The latter should not be confused with the famous ruler Tigranes the Great, who would later terrify the Roman Empire and create great empire in the East. A new people appeared, formed as a result of the assimilation of the Indo-Europeans with the local ancient tribes of the Khayami and Urartu. From here came a new state - Ancient Armenia with its own culture and language.

Vassals of the Persians

At one time, Persia was a powerful state. All the peoples who lived in Asia Minor submitted to them. This fate befell the Armenian kingdom. The dominance of the Persians over them lasted more than two centuries (550-330 BC).

Greek historians about Armenia in the times of the Persians

Armenia - ancient civilization. This is confirmed by many historians of antiquity, for example, Xenophon in the 5th century BC. e. As a participant in the events, the author of Anabasis described the retreat of 10,000 Greeks to the Black Sea through a country called Ancient Armenia. The Greeks saw a developed economic activity, as well as the life of Armenians. Everywhere they found wheat, barley, fragrant wines, lard, various oils - pistachio, sesame, almond. The ancient Hellenes also saw here raisins, leguminous fruits. In addition to crop products, the Armenians bred domestic animals: goats, cows, pigs, chickens, horses. The data of Xenophon tell the descendants that the people living in this place were developed in economic terms. The abundance of different products is striking. The Armenians not only produced food themselves, but also actively engaged in trade with neighboring lands. Of course, Xenophon did not say anything about this, but he listed some products that do not grow in this territory.

Strabo in the 1st century n. e. reports that ancient Armenia had very good pastures for horses. The country was not inferior to Media in this regard and supplied horses annually for the Persians. Strabo mentions the obligation of Armenian satraps, administrative governors during the reign of the Persians, of the obligation to deliver about two thousand young foals in honor of the famous festival of Mithra.

Armenian wars in antiquity

The historian Herodotus (V century BC) described the Armenian soldiers of that era, their weapons. The soldiers wore small shields, had short spears, swords, and darts. On their heads were wicker helmets, they were shod in high boots.

Conquest of Armenia by Alexander the Great

The era of Alexander the Great redrawn the entire map and the Mediterranean. All lands vast Persian Empire became part of a new political association under the rule of Macedonia.

After the death of Alexander the Great, the state disintegrates. In the east, the Seleucid state is formed. The once unified territory of a single people was divided into three separate regions as part of new country: Great Armenia, located on the Ararat plain, Sophene - between the Euphrates and the upper reaches of the Tigris and Lesser Armenia - between the Euphrates and the upper reaches of Lykos.

The history of ancient Armenia, although it speaks of constant dependence on other states, however, shows that it concerned only issues foreign policy which had a beneficial effect on the development of the future state. It was a kind of prototype autonomous republic within successive empires.

They were often called basileus, i.e. kings. They retained only formal dependence, sending tribute and troops to the center. war time. Neither the Persians nor Hellenistic state Seleucids. If the former ruled almost all of their remote territories in this way, then the successors of the Greeks always changed the internal way of the conquered peoples, imposing on them “democratic values” and a special order.

The collapse of the Seleucid state, the unification of Armenia

After the defeat of the Seleucids by Rome, the Armenians gained temporary independence. Rome was not yet ready to start new conquests of peoples after the war with the Hellenes. This was used by the once united people. Efforts to restore united state, which was called "Ancient Armenia".

The ruler Artashes declared himself an independent king Artashes I. He united all the lands that spoke the same language, including Lesser Armenia. The last region of Sophene became part of the new state later, after 70 years, under the famous ruler Tigran the Great.

The final formation of the Armenian nationality

It is believed that under the new Artashesid dynasty, a great historical event- the formation of the nationality of Armenians with their own language and culture. They were greatly influenced by their proximity to developed Hellenistic peoples. The minting of their own coins with Greek inscriptions spoke of strong influence neighbors for culture and trade.

Artashat - the capital of the ancient state of Greater Armenia

During the reign of the Artashesid dynasty, the first large cities appeared. Among them is the city of Artashat, which became the first capital of the new state. Translated from Greek, it meant "the joy of Artaxias."

The new capital had a favorable geographical position in that era. It was located on the main route to the ports of the Black Sea. The time of the appearance of the city coincided with the establishment of overland trade relations between Asia and India and China. Artashat began to acquire the status of a major trading and political center. Plutarch highly appreciated the role of this city. He gave him the status of "Armenian Carthage", which is translated into modern language meant a city that unites all nearby lands. All the Mediterranean powers knew about the beauty and luxury of Artashat.

Rise of the Armenian Kingdom

The history of Armenia from ancient times contains bright moments of the power of this state. The golden age falls on the reign of Tigran the Great (95-55) - the grandson of the founder famous dynasty Artashes I. Tigranakert became the capital of the state. This city has become one of the leading centers of science, literature and art in all ancient world. The best Greek actors performed in the local theater, famous scientists and historians were frequent guests of Tigran the Great. One of them is the philosopher Metrodorus, who was an ardent opponent of the growing Roman Empire.

Armenia became part of the Hellenistic world. The Greek language penetrated the aristocratic elite.

Armenia is a unique part of the Hellenistic culture

Armenia in the 1st century BC e. - developed advanced state of the world. She took all the best that was in the world - culture, science, art. Tigran the Great developed theaters and schools. Armenia was not only the cultural center of Hellenism, but also an economically strong state. Trade, industry, crafts grew. hallmark state was that it did not take the system of slavery used by the Greeks and Romans. All lands were cultivated peasant communities whose members were free.

The Armenia of Tigran the Great spread over vast territories. This was an empire that covered a huge part from the Caspian to mediterranean seas. Many peoples and states became its vassals: in the north - Tsibania, Iberia, in the southeast - Parthia and Arab tribes.

Conquest by Rome, end of the Armenian Empire

The rise of Armenia coincided with the rise of another eastern state in the territory former USSR- Pontus led by Mithridates. After long wars with Rome Pontus also lost its independence. Armenia was in good neighborly relations with Mithridates. After his defeat, she was left alone with mighty Rome.

After long wars unified Armenian empire in 69-66 BC e. broke up. Under the rule of Tigran, only Great Armenia remained, which was declared a "friend and ally" of Rome. So called all the conquered states. In fact, the country has become another province.

After joining the Roman Empire, the ancient stage of statehood begins. The country fell apart, its lands were appropriated by other states, and the local population was constantly in conflict with each other.

Armenian alphabet

AT ancient times Armenians used writing based on the Babylonian-Assyrian cuneiform. In the heyday of Armenia, during the time of Tigran the Great, the country completely switched to Greek language in business circulation. On the coins, archaeologists find Greek writing.

The Armenian alphabet was created by Mesrop Mashtots relatively late - in 405. It originally consisted of 36 letters: 7 vowels and 29 consonants.

The main 4 graphic forms of Armenian writing - yerkatagir, bolorgir, shkhagir and notrgir - developed only in the Middle Ages.

Yerevan is the capital and most Big City Armenia, which is 29 years older than Rome. According to the legend Armenian people, Yerevan was founded thanks to Noah. He, seeing the top of Ararat from under the water, exclaimed “Yerevants!” (meaning "she appeared"). And I had no less expectations from this city than from Tbilisi.

Friday evening. Yerevan met with the first breakdown of Kruzak and like this sad views. On the way, it seemed that the rear left part began to lead a little, and at one of the traffic lights I felt that it smelled of something burned. Stopped to have a look and found the rear left wheel smoking and the brake disc slightly blue. The first thoughts - the brake pads ran out, although before this travel the service claimed that it should be enough. We slowly went to look for a service, the official Toyota was already closed. We drove along the edge of the city and found guys who agreed to help. The first verdict is brake pads. While one was dismantling, I went with the head of the service to the store and bought new ones (they turned out to be cheaper here than in Samara). When we returned, an autopsy showed that the springs of the brake pads had flown off and they had jammed the drum. In general, it's okay, but once they took it apart, they decided to change the pads as well.

While poking around in the service, we spent about 2 hours and arrived in the center of Yerevan at night. The first thing we visited was Republic Square. AT Soviet time This square was named after Lenin.

The shape of the square is formed by 5 buildings: the Museum of the History of Armenia, in front of which there are singing fountains,

Government of Armenia, post office building, hotel and ministries of foreign affairs and energy.

That evening, in addition to the Republic Square, I tried only one attraction - the Armenian cognac "Ararat".

From the very morning on a walk, we appreciated the architecture of the city. All over Yerevan there are wide avenues and geometrically correct layout of streets.

Left turns are prohibited, so in order to turn around and drive to the right place, you need to make great amount loops.

Pink tuff is the most common building material, thanks to which Yerevan received the name of the "Pink City". Tuff, although called pink, has various shades, from pale pink to bright red.

Stalinist style acquired in Yerevan, as in many others Soviet republics unique local flavor. The entire city center was redesigned in the 1920s by the architect Tamanyan according to general scheme in a single architectural style and built up mainly with houses in the styles of constructivism and neoclassicism.

This stone even gives "Khrushchev" buildings a more divine look, but the city lacks diversity. You constantly get the feeling that you are in the same place.

“A real Armenian must plant a tree, raise a son and build a house on his apartment on the outskirts of Yerevan. I have not been to the outskirts, but even in the center, behind the beautiful facades of Soviet houses, you can see buildings where Armenians are trying to increase their living space at the expense of balconies and roofs. you see, it turns out to be a terrible collective farm, which spoils the appearance of the city.

Northern Avenue or Northern avenue is one of the main pedestrian streets in Yerevan, 3 blocks long. A very pretentious place with boutiques, souvenir shops, hotels, restaurants. The local Arbat is a favorite place for walks of citizens and tourists.

This street crosses the central avenues of Yerevan at an angle of 45 degrees.

And rests on the opera house.

The diagonal behind the opera house continues and after 2 blocks leads to the Cascade. The purpose of the construction of this milky tuff staircase was to connect the lower and upper city, located high in the mountains. The cascade consists of five tiers, each of which is decorated in the style of an Armenian folk art. Between the tiers, you can move on the escalator, which is located inside. The interior of the Cascade is reserved for museums or private galleries.

In front of the Cascade is a pedestrian square, which begins with a monument to the architect Tumanyan, the author of the general plan of Yerevan.

Pedestrian alley strewn with exhibits contemporary art which were presented to the city by rich Armenians living abroad.

In my opinion, the monuments are quite controversial. Or maybe I just don't understand modern art.

The construction of the cascade began in the early 70s, stopped by the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, resumed in early 2000 and was never completed. A museum complex was planned here. This stage of the Cascade is not visible from below. To the left of the unfinished Cascade, you can see expensive houses for wealthy Armenians with gilded tinted windows.

The Cascade overlooks the entire city. If you're lucky, you can see Ararat too.

Drinking water in Armenia is the safest and cleanest. In Yerevan, you can drink water from the tap or any fountain. I tried it, the water is really tasty.

Yerevan metro has 10 stations. But the development of the metro in the city after the collapse of the Soviet Union is vague, it still needs a lot of money, which the country simply does not have. I bought a souvenir token here.

Hrazdan flows through the whole city - the most big river Armenia. Getting into the city, Hrazdan dismembers the city with a deep gorge from north to south.

Sports and Concert Complex. Karen Demirchyan was built on one of the hills of the Tsitsernakaberd park in the early 80s. A unique complex for Armenia, consisting of a sports and a concert part. Not so long ago it was sold for debts and is falling into disrepair. The photo shows how the edges of the finishing of the stairs fall off.

Complex with reverse side resembling a giant ship. In front of him is a non-working fountain with a pool.

And an overgrown park.

Tsitsernakaberd is also a name memorial complex dedicated to the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and erected in 1967. Tall, visible from everywhere 44-meter, with different parties resembling either a bayonet or an antenna, the unevenly forked stele, according to the authors, symbolizes the will of the Armenians for revival. The thinner part of the stele is the Armenians of Armenia, the wide part is the Diaspora. Next to the stele is a cone formed of twelve large inclined stone slabs, in the center of which an eternal flame burns at a depth of 1.5 meters.

Not far from the museum there is an alley where foreign statesmen trees are planted in memory of the victims of the genocide.

There is also a monument to a woman saving children in the square.

Another important attraction for Yerevan is the Erebuni fortress, located on the Arin-Berd hill, which means "Bloody fortress". Forbes magazine included it in the list of "9 most ancient fortresses in the world."

On this hill was ancient city the state of Urartu - Erebuni, built in 782 BC. The history of modern Yerevan begins with it.

The city consisted of a citadel, which was located on top of this hill, and city blocks at the foot. The top of the hill was leveled, and the foundation of the fortress was made of basalt blocks.

On the this moment except for the remnants of boulders and clay, which during the rain terribly stuck to the feet, you will not see anything interesting here anymore.

From here you can see another Yerevan. On the avenues, behind the tuff houses, the private sector hid. The General Plan of Yerevan deals only with the front line of the streets, therefore, in many courtyards of Yerevan, life still flows, as if in a village.

Summing up, I want to say that Yerevan seemed to me a boring city with eternal unfinished buildings and monotonous architecture. A city for once, which you can see purely for reference and never come back.