Yerevan is the twelfth capital of Armenia. Prior to it, the capital cities were Van, Armavir, Yervandashat, Artashat, Tigranakert, Vagharshapat, Dvin, Bagaran, Shirakavan, Kars, Ani. The Armenian capital, founded in 782 BC, is 29 years older than Rome. The city was founded by the king of Urartu – Argishti I. A cuneiform testament to this is kept in the “Erebuni” museum.
After several earthquakes and during the years of Soviet rule, the appearance of Yerevan completely changed. The architect who created the new Armenian capital was Alexander Tamanyan. Thanks to him, medieval Armenian architecture underlies the designs of many buildings, even those built after the master’s death.
As a true builder, Tamanyan highly valued the variety of Armenian stone for use as building material. Their properties largely determined both the building structures and architectural forms and decorations. It is precisely thanks to Armenian tuff – a pink-colored volcanic rock used in the construction of buildings in central Yerevan, that the city began to be called “pink.”
Abovyan Street
According to the master plan, this is the first street of the Armenian capital. It was built in the middle of the 19th century. At that time, it was named Astafyan Street after the governor of Yerevan, Major General Astafiev, and was built up with mansions in the style of the Armenian Belle Époque.
In 1883 it was renamed Alexandrovskaya Street, in honor of Alexander III. In 1921, the street was named after Khachatur Abovyan and still bears this name to this day.
Famous hotels such as “France”, “Orient” and “Grand Hotel” were located here, as well as medical centers, city clubs, Pogos-Petros and Katogike churches.
Arami Street
Arami Street is one of the most colorful in Yerevan. In the 19th century, it was named Tsarskaya in honor of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who visited Erivan in 1837. He lived in a two-story house on this street.
After Armenia gained independence in May 1918, the street was renamed Azatutyan (Freedom), but already in 1919, it was renamed again and named Arami, in honor of the Minister of Internal Affairs Aram Manukyan.
This street has always been an important economic and trading center. The State Bank, a male gymnasium, and several cultural institutions were located on it.
Pavstos Buzand Street
Construction of this street began in the 1830s. Originally it was named after General Vasily Bebutov (a descendant of an Armenian noble family), who distinguished himself in military operations in the Caucasus, and was called Bebutovskaya.
In 1920, the street was renamed in honor of one of the founders of the “Dashnaktsutyun” party, Simon Zavaryan. A year later, it was named after revolutionary Ruben Rubenov, and later after the Bolshevik Yakov Sverdlov. Since the 1990s, it has been named after the 5th-century Armenian historian Pavstos Buzand.
The street was mainly built up with residential buildings in an architectural style typical of the 19th-20th centuries – with palisades, inner courtyards, and residential buildings located on the street’s red line.
Anrapetutyan Street
This street has a substantial and interesting history. It was officially opened in 1856, but only in 1890 did it become well-maintained – with good evening lighting, low-rise houses, and small streams. The street was named Nahangain (Gubernatorial), as the administrative court building was located here.
After the revolution, in 1921, it was renamed from Nahangain to Lenin. The government building of the First Republic was located on this street. It was from the oval balcony of this building that Aram Manukyan declared the independence of Armenia and read the Declaration of Independence, just a few days after the victory in the Battle of Sardarapat.
In 1950, in honor of the founder of the Armenian Communist Party, Stepan Alaverdyan, it was renamed Alaverdyan Street. However, already in 1990, a decision was made to name it Anrapetutyan Street (Republic), as the declaration was read right there.
Nalbandyan Street
Construction and improvement of the street began in 1860 and lasted almost 30 years. Originally, the street was named Suleymanhanovskaya.
In 1884, a decision was made to rename the street in honor of the hero of the Russo-Turkish war, General Arshak Ter-Gukasov. As early as 1921, the street was renamed in honor of the Armenian writer and author of the lyrics of the Armenian anthem, Mikael Nalbandyan.
This was one of the most important streets in the city; the Tbilisi Commercial Bank building (N2) and one of the largest pharmacies were located here.
Vigen Avetisyan
