How does Yerevan look to you?

[Musso]

What kind of city does Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, look like? Does it fit in Middle East, Balkans, Russia, Central Europe, etc?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/%D4%B5%D6%80%D5%A5%D6%82%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB_%D5%B0% D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5 %BF%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80_%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B7%D5%A1%D5% AC%D5%B8%D5%B5%D5%BD%D5%AB%D5%B6.JPG/1280px-%D4%B5%D6%80%D5%A5%D6%82%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB_%D5%B0% D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D5 %BF%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80_%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B7%D5%A1%D5% AC%D5%B8%D5%B5%D5%BD%D5%AB%D5%B6.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/%D0%9D.%D0%91%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8F% D0%BD_%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82.%D0%95%D1%80%D0%B5% D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD.jpg/1280px-%D0%9D.%D0%91%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%8F% D0%BD_%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82.%D0%95%D1%80%D0%B5% D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/David_of_Sasun_Yerevan.jpg/800px-David_of_Sasun_Yerevan.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Place_de_France%2C_Yerevan_%28cropped%29.jpg/800px-Place_de_France%2C_Yerevan_%28cropped%29.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Northern_Avenue_%28Yerevan%29_1.jpg/800px-Northern_Avenue_%28Yerevan%29_1.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Northern_Avenue_%28Yerevan%29_2.jpg/800px-Northern_Avenue_%28Yerevan%29_2.jpg

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/d0/a2/2e/the-cascade.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B6%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A5%D5%BF%D 5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D5%80%D6%80%D5 %A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%AF.jpg/1280px-%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B6%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%BA%D5%A5%D5%BF%D 5%B8%D6%82%D5%A9%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%B6_%D5%80%D6%80%D5 %A1%D5%BA%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%AF.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1489250_10201135824306645_755132762_n.jpg

http://cascadehotel.am/eng/images/armenia/yerevan8.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9Tlz6LM8MwRhxrUTlofnXnlK3ytNBV fafk6fhadi9_ozMVArG

[Scholarios]

Looks....Armenian. Blend of styles and atmosphere...Middle East, Mediterranean, Europe, Soviet, Caucasian...Central Asia? Looks unique.

[Fear Fiain]

Looks....Armenian. Blend of styles and atmosphere...Middle East, Mediterranean, Europe, Soviet, Caucasian...Central Asia? Looks unique.

nail on the head.

[Methmatician]

Parisian.

[Jehan]

It's pretty hard to judge a city on some few pictures who have been choosen. But it seems nice.

[Musso]

Yerevan was essential modernized/expanded during the Soviet Union.

[Gaston]

Modern Armenia's capital - let's not forget most of Armenia is occupied by other countries - doesn't look the most Armenian to me. It looks like a Russian or an East European city.

[Musso]

Modern Armenia's capital - let's not forget most of Armenia is occupied by other countries - doesn't look the most Armenian to me. It looks like a Russian or an East European city.

Though there are a good amount of buildings/structures that retain Armenian architecture. But of course there is obvious Russian/European influence.

[Instinct]

I'd like to visit Yerevan.

[Armenian Bishop]

Yerevan was essential modernized/expanded during the Soviet Union.

I visited Armenia in 1989, as a guest of the Soviet Union, when it was still part of the USSR. Soviet times set in place urbanization and amenities in Yerevan, but it looks more westernized and colorful now.

I enjoyed meeting with a group of protestors, who were appealing for the reunification of Karabakh (aka Artzakh) with Armenia. That was in 1989, before Armenians defeated Azerbaijan in the Karabakh War (1988 - 1994). They had Armenian Flags unfurled. And, I had a chance to discuss some political matters with them.

I also got great happiness near some water fountains pools, where people were wading in the water, during the hot Summer days. I went into the water too; from there, I was overjoyed to behold an Armenian Flag fluttering in the winds, above the buildings.

When in Yerevan, I visited some distant relatives. We enjoyed Armenian Brandy together. My distant relatives in Yerevan are descended from one of my great uncles who escaped from the Turks and Kurds, a century ago, during the Armenian Genocide, and eventually found his way to Yerevan, where he started a large family.

[Musso]

I'd like to visit Yerevan.

You are always welcome!

[Instinct]

You are always welcome!

Pari luys aghparik :) thank you. I imagine everything and people will look very familiar there.

[Musso]

Pari luys aghparik :) thank you. I imagine everything and people will look very familiar there.

I guess the thing that may be most unfamiliar for you is the Soviet/Russian influence...after all Armenia is ex-Soviet country. It's a small country, but historically very rich and beautiful in nature.

[Instinct]

I guess the thing that may be most unfamiliar for you is the Soviet/Russian influence...after all Armenia is ex-Soviet country. It's a small country, but historically very rich and beautiful in nature.

I think so :) That might be the only difference. I have looked the Armenian villages on youtube. They look same as it's in my parents' villages, the roof of houses in villages are metal sheet, etc. :)

[Gustave H]

Looks incredible. Just amazing. I love it. So unique, I am definitely going to visit someday.

[Abraxas]

Looks pretty nice. I too have seen pictures from Tbilisi in Georgia which almost look taken from a fairy tale. I'm under the impression Yerevan looks more "Soviet" than Tbilisi.

[Musso]

Looks pretty nice. I too have seen pictures from Tbilisi in Georgia which almost look taken from a fairy tale. I'm under the impression Yerevan looks more "Soviet" than Tbilisi.

Yeah I could imagine that, Soviet influence is more in Yerevan.

[Arsen_]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp-ZeOefOLY



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BkQFBnV84I

[Armenian Bishop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdmyDhsuucU

U.S. Embassy Sponsored Flash Mob Performance in Yerevan, Armenia (October, 2012). This video offers a good cross section of Armenians, in Yerevan, from all age groups. Many of them look quite European, in my opinion.

[Linet]

It looks beautifull :rose: and the video was perfect for a happy morning greet :sunny:

Who does the statue represent on the 3rd pic?

[Manifest Destiny]

Looks interesting. Undoubtedly a lot of history there.

[Armenian Bishop]

It looks beautifull :rose: and the video was perfect for a happy morning greet :sunny:

Who does the statue represent on the 3rd pic?

The statue in the 3rd pic of the Opening Post is David of Sassoun (aka David of Sassoon). He was a legendary Armenian hero who defeated an invading army. Sassoun, west of Lake Van, is in the same general area as Moush (aka Muş, or Mush), where my maternal grandparents lived, before they immigrated to California, a few years before the Armenian Genocide (1915 - 1923).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daredevils_of_Sassoun

http://anitour.am/en/destinations.php?mush


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/David_of_Sasun_Yerevan.jpg/800px-David_of_Sasun_Yerevan.jpg

[Arsenium DeLight]

http://i58.tinypic.com/2uyljwx.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/34tbjuh.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/34g3d53.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/24mt4lh.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/332xk5f.jpg

[Arsenium DeLight]

http://i62.tinypic.com/2sao6xh.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/20p564i.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/2yycj9y.jpg

[Gustave H]

Hayastan is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, with some of the most beautiful women as well..:cool:

[Arsenium DeLight]

http://i60.tinypic.com/73dw09.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/eperte.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/ibe5xu.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/foiurt.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/24d1ysh.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/21kf392.jpg

[Arsenium DeLight]

http://i58.tinypic.com/2uo195c.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/2ywfvyf.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/16lfwoh.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/64lb9e.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/2hmn29k.jpg

[Truthbetold]

Formerly a 100% West Asian looking city, Yerevan was quite severely overhauled since the Russo-Soviet administration took hold of the city and wider Eastern Armenia in 1828. Nowadays it looks like an amalgamation of Soviet and wannabe European architecture with a visible flavour of it's formerly glory the city had, reminding of Armenia's history; namely being for almost 100% interwined with West Asia.

''Under the Soviet rule, Yerevan became the first among the cities in the Soviet Union for which a general plan was developed. The "General Plan of Yerevan" developed by the academic Alexander Tamanian, was approved in 1924. It was initially designed for a population of 150,000. The city was quickly transformed into a modern industrial metropolis of over one million people. New educational, scientific and cultural institutions were founded as well.''

Tamanian incorporated national traditions with contemporary urban construction. His design presented a radial-circular arrangement that overlaid the existing city and incorporated much of its existing street plan. As a result, many historic buildings were demolished, including churches, mosques, the Persian fortress, baths, bazaars and caravanserais. ''

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerevan#Soviet_era

''(...) A lot of significant buildings, among them churches, mosques, baths, were demolished. ''

http://www.traveltoarmenia.am/history-of-yerevan/147/

That said, it is interesting to note that on top of many of these destroyed fundaments and ancient buildings, the new buildings that were built often reminded in some way of these old ancient buildings.


''Moreover what is destroyed in this city is, ironically, often replaced by something that impersonates the old - the perfect example of this being a restaurant in the city centre called ''Old Erivan'', designed in pseudo-historical and pseudo-ethnographic style'' - Levon Abrahamian

https://books.google.nl/books?id=S81BNrPz3hMC&pg=PA254&lpg=PA254&dq=ancient+yerevan+destroyed+architecture&source=bl&ots=6zwFulSbML&sig=rFVAGmGFhw_AoOQMNqVJb9qOdYc&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=ne-MVLKAHce5UcTDgtgC&ved=0CGkQ6AEwCw#v=onepage&q=ancient%20yerevan%20destroyed%20architecture&f=false

[Smaug]

I have a friend of Armenian descent who is crazy about his ancestry. Thanks to him I know everything about Armenia. Did you know that the oldest shoe ever was found in Armenia?

[askra]

Many of the buildings and monuments shown in the pictures have clear influence from the typical architectonic styles of Soviet Union, like the Socialist Classicism.

[Musso]

Formerly a 100% West Asian looking city, Yerevan was quite severely overhauled since the Russo-Soviet administration took hold of the city and wider Eastern Armenia in 1828. Nowadays it looks like an amalgamation of Soviet and wannabe European architecture with a visible flavour of it's formerly glory the city had, reminding of Armenia's history; namely being for almost 100% interwined with West Asia.


Before the Soviet Era, Yerevan was not a city, but a provincial town located in the heartland of the Armenian Highlands. It became a city during the Soviet Era. Yerevan's city layout was planned with European influences, but of course the city has strong Soviet influences in its architectures. The modern buildings that have risen in the past two decades have added more Western influence.

[Methmatician]

I have a friend of Armenian descent who is crazy about his ancestry. Thanks to him I know everything about Armenia. Did you know that the oldest shoe ever was found in Armenia?
I bet he's the type of guy that could find an Armenian root to any word in the English language :laugh:

[Smaug]

I bet he's the type of guy that could find an Armenian root to any word in the English language :laugh:

Indeed my friend!