How to Live Like a Local in Yerevan, Armenia
Photo credit: by Satenig Vipoyan
The rocky highlands of Armenia are a hitherto untraveled destination for the average tourist. While the nation is currently enjoying a steady growth in tourism, the number of tourists they receive annually reached a fairly modest high of 758 000 in 2011 – compare that to the 1.5 million who sojourned in neighbouring Azerbaijan – and roughly half of that figure is comprised of Armenians from abroad visiting their homeland and family. So, with such a low number of foreign tourists, a visit to Armenia’s capital city is a sure way to avoid the holiday-making throngs.
Know the history like a local…
Armenia is the only nation whose name remains from 3000-year-old maps of Anatolia, which is a fact that has not escaped the attentions of Yerevan’s locals and the ‘Matenadaran’ stands as testament to this. The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts – or Matenadaran, as it is known as to the locals – is home to some of the world’s oldest manuscripts and displays books ranging from subjects such as literature, medicine, and cosmography. For a more direct experience of this rich history, head to Erebuni Fortress, where lies the foundations and walls of a city that was built in 782 BC.
Soak up religion like a local…
As the first nation to adopt Christianity as its religion in 301 AD, a major aspect of Armenian history is their longstanding affiliation with their religion. Yerevan provides an ideal location from which to travel to some of the oldest religious sights in the world. The centre of the Armenian Orthodox Church, Echmiadzin Cathedral, was built in the early years of the fourth century and is just 10 miles west of the capital. Further south of Yerevan is Khor Virap, where Christianity began for the Armenians. This is the site of Saint Gregory’s prison – a deep pit in which he was kept for 12 years. This pit is still intact today and can be climbed into (with care). Check out Khor Virap below:
Photo credit: by Tamara Areshian
Explore like a local…
For all its history, Yerevan is also a very modern city, which is well-exemplified by the recently built Cascade. The Cascade is a huge flight of smooth, white-stone stairs leading up to a statue of Mother Armenia. The Cafesjian Museum is integrated within the structure, with an escalator touring the core, and displays a large collection of art and glassware. The top of the stairs offers a picture-friendly view of the entire city and even Mount Ararat in the distance. A short walk from the foot of Cascade is the Opera house. While the impressive Opera house is a central landmark in Yerevan, it is the surrounding area that attracts most of the locals. Cafés and restaurants encircle the attraction, forming a hub of relaxation.
Photo credit: by sbamueller
Party like a local…
Yerevan is a city with a unique concept of time. Weekends do not have the same importance as they do in most other countries and, consequently, locals are not limited to a two-day window in which to enjoy their nightlife. Nightlife is vibrant throughout the year but reaches its zenith in the summer, when events such as Yerevan International Parties bring together the youth. The most popular places vary from summer to summer, but there are some constants in Eden Pub, Process, and Kaloume, which are some of the most frequented pubs in the city centre. There are also clubs like Gaudi, That Place, and Mumba all within walking distance of each other.
Armenia is a nation that stands the aggressive test of time. It is rare to find a heritage as old and as war-ridden as that of the Armenian people still living and carrying on their traditions today, which is why everyone should make space on their bucket list for this backpacker’s dream.