Tour Day 2: “Today, join a local guide for an insightful city tour of Yerevan. Armenia’s vibrant capital has a great mix of ancient culture and tradition with a contemporary feel. Begin at Republic Square, and then head to the Cafesjian Center – an open-air museum of modern art. Continue on to Freedom Square – a lively city hub with its ornate Opera House sitting at the centre.
“You’ll have lunch at a traditional museum-café built by Lusik Aguletsi – a lover of Armenian antiques and all things local and handmade. Here you’ll have the chance to try some local favourites, like tomatoes with goats cheese and gata (Armenian coffee cake). Take a look around to see exhibits of national costumes, carpets and rugs and other traditional Armenian wares, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to head out for a local brandy tasting – ask your leader for recommendations.”
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Above the local guide on the left and our tour guide, Ksenia, on the right.
According to Wikipedia 98.1% of the population of Armenia is ethnically Armenian and 97% of them are members of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This is something to keep in mind, the homogeneity being like so few places these days.
This church is relatively new, Saint Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral.
You can hardly see the small red cups in the hanging lights above, but these guys took them out to refill and relight them.
On the grounds of the church this is a basalt stone statue of Andranik Ozmanyan, also known as Andranik Pasha.
A theater built “in Soviet times” now used as a market I think? Every guide uses this expression constantly..”in Soviet times”…
At the foot of Cascade Park, this is Alexander Tamanian (1878-1936), acknowledged by all to be the architect of modern Yerevan. The Wikipedia article is surprisingly concise so have a look if you’re interested.
“Lusik Aguletsi, a well-known artist, cultural figure, and collector, along with her husband, sculptor Yuri Samvelyan, transformed their family home into a unique cultural hub where everyone feels at home.” So many things.
