Armenia: Monumental Yerevan

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. It has the usual trappings of a capital city, with most of the historical buildings dating to the early 20th century built during Soviet time, rather monumental. The city seemed POSH (fancy restaurants and luxury stores) for its development level. I am wondering if it's because of all the Russians and tourists. 

The highlight for us was the Cascade, an art deco cultural venture that was originally conceived in the 1920s, construction didn't start until the 1970s. Among other things, it houses a modern sculpture collection, and looks to have ambitions of further construction, though on hold. It enchants locals and visitors day and night.

After settling into our large, bright, one-room apartment, we headed out to buy groceries and start a self-guided walking tour of city center. First, the monumental Republic Square.






There were more than a few spiffy vintage GAZ Volgas around Yerevan. Some advertised "for hire" sightseeing excursions. A bit of both "vintage cool" and "Soviet nostalgia" IMO.


The Rossiya Cinema, built to resmeble the two peaks of Mt Ararat, is certainly an eyecatcher.


The ho-hum Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral has a skate park behind it. The skate park is adjacent to the leafy Circular Park, aka the "Green Belt", which encircles the downtown.




Clamshell Fountain at the Republic Square Metro Station is impressive even when just half of the jets are on.


They still practice traditional stone carving in a shop near our apartment. Check out the Khachkar below.


The very cool Moscow Cinema with a fountain and a giant spider sculpture in front.


We stopped in a small shop for a Zhengyalov Hatz, an Armenian flatbread filled with herbs and greens. Tasty! Later we found out you could buy them freshly made and much cheaper at the local grocery store. Yes!




The Blue Mosque is an 18th-century Persian Shia mosque - peaceful.


The very Armenia-style exterior of the City Market Hall.


There is at least one Art Nouveau building in Yerevan; this apartment building although it was built in 1933.




The monumental Cascada, with Botero statues at ground level (2nd below), outstanding Art Deco fountains, and views over the city south towards Iran and Turkey, and more. You can walk up the outdoor stairs past the Deco fountains, or the indoor escalators through a very good collection of furniture art.






















Some night images: Republic Square (1st below), Moscow Cinema (2nd), a fountain near the Opera House (3rd), and the Cascada (remainder). Check out the Botero Cat.