Yerevan is one of the most ancient eastern cities in the world. Every city has its heart; the heart of Yerevan is the Opera House. We are going to start our tour from here. The exact point of departure is the statue of Aram Khachatryan, which is located in front of the Opera House, Sayat-Nova Street.The Opera House is surrounded by statues of the greats from the Armenian arts world: the statues of Hovhannes Tou-manyan (writer) and Alexander Spen-diaryan (composer) are in the Azatutyan Square, the statue of Aram Khachatryan (composer) is in front of the Philharmonic Concert Hall. And the statue of Arno Babajanyan (composer) is next to the Swan Lake.Visitors during the winter months can enjoy ice skating, as the lake freezes over and is turned into an outdoor skating-rink. To the right of Aram Khachatryan statue you will find Baghramyan Street, here you will find the Constitutional Court, National Assembly, the Presidential Palace and a number of embassies. The American University of Armenia is also here, the statue of Marshal Baghramyan stands proudly in front of it. To get here you can take mini-buses (marshrutka) 28 or 88 or 76 (at the bus stop in the neighbourhood of the Opera House). Opposite Marshal Baghramyan statue you will see Proshyan Street which is famous for its restaurants, just follow the smell of khorovats (barbeque) and you will get there. To the left of Aram Khachatryan statue some of the main streets are situated. The first crossroad is Sayat-Nova - Teryan.
Abovyan Street is parallel to Teryan Street (one can reach there by turning left from Teryan - Toumanyan crossroad and the first meeting street is Abovyan). Abovyan Street is very popular amongst tourists and locals alike,it is always buzzing. You can see the latest films in the "Moskva" cinema on Abovian street.
At the crossroad of Abovyan - Sayat-Nova streets is the Language Institute, which is one of the main institutions in Yerevan, behind this building is the Katoghike church, which is definitely worth a visit. Walking down Abovyan street, you'll reach the famous Republic Square. Government of RA, House of Unions, Armenia Marriott Hotel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Na-tional Gallery are all situated here. Crossing the square you'll find Vazgen Sargsyan Street, on the right of which there is the State Theatre of Musical Comedy named after Ha-kob Paronyan. Walking down a little further, Shahumyan Square will appear in front of you. Cross the square and you will reach Italian Street, to the left you will see Gabriel Sundukyan National State Academic Theatre and right neighbor you will see the State Circus, the latter is not the only children's attraction available; families with younger children can enjoy spending time at Children's Railway (at Hrazdan Canyon), Zoo, Botanical Garden and Water Land (on the way to Sevan). If you go up Mashtots Avenue you'll come across "Nairi" cinema, continue to the end of the street and you will find the magnificent Matenadaran dominating over the surrounding area. Haghtanak Park (Victory Park) is situated directly behind the Matenadaran building, but you cannot reach there on foot,you'd better take a mini bus, Bus 10 will take you there. There are many children's rides in this park. Here you can also find the monument "Mayr Hayastan", which guards Yerevan from a towering height.
Bus 10 is not the only way to get there. You can also get there via Cascade Complex. It is near the Opera House (on the left); it has 2780 stairs designating the 2780th anniversary of Yerevan city. Besides these stairs you can also use the moving staircase to reach the top of the Complex. Walking upstairs you'll see a monument which symbolizes Yerevan. But before going upstairs you must pay attention to a statue in front of the Complex. It is the statue of Alexander Tamanyan, the principal architect of the city. In the eastern part of Yerevan the Hrazdan River flows in the canyon with breathtaking views where you would find many more restaurants offering traditional Armenian dishes. On the left of the river St. Sarkis church and S. Parajanov (film director) museum welcome you. The Yerevan Brandy Company is on the right, and theYerevan Wine Plant is opposite the factory. The monument of Yerablur tells us about the heroic past of the Armenians (situated to the right of "Zvartnots" airport, by Bus 100). Taking Bus 27 or 28 or 88 you'll reach a sight important for all Armenians; the monument and museum to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, "Tsitserna kaberd", while you are in the area you should visit K. Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex, which has a unique style of architecture. Pantheon of famous Armenians (in Arshakounyats Avenue) is the evidence of the rich culture of the Armenians. Ancient Yerevan was founded by the King Argishti in 782 B.C. and was named Erebuni. The castle town Arin-Berd is like an open-air museum. It is at the end of Erebuni Street.Yerevan Railway Station is also located in this area, in front of which the statue of Sasountsi Davit (by Yervand Kochar) can be seen. Sasountsi Davit is the hero of Armenian epic. You can reach here by Bus 36.
Each weekend exhibition-sales are held by local artists in some parts of the city which are known as "vernisaje". One of them is paintings-exhibition near the statue of Martiros Saryan (artist). The other one is souvenirs, silverware and paintings exhibition in the copse which lies between Hanrapetoutyan and Khanjyan streets. To get a better feeling of Armenia you should taste Armenian fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, preserved and tinned goods. These can be found in all Yerevan stores and markets. One such market is situated at the end of Mashtots Avenue. Here you can feel the Oriental style and breath entirely.
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