Erebuni Fortress

Erebuni Fortress was erected in 782 BCE by the decree of King Argishti I, ruler of the powerful Urartian Kingdom. This formidable stronghold, spanning more than 80 hectares, stands as a monumental testament to ancient engineering and imperial ambition. Its precise date of foundation is known thanks to a cuneiform inscription discovered during archaeological excavations in 1950 on Arin Berd Hill. The deciphered script revealed not only the story of its construction but also offered compelling evidence that the city now known as Yerevan was once called Erebuni. Over centuries, phonetic shifts gradually transformed the name through variants such as Irpuni, Erevuni, and ultimately, Erivan.

The existence of this fortress-city remained hidden until the mid-20th century. Even today, Erebuni continues to be a subject of ongoing archaeological inquiry. Strategically located, the site once enabled its defenders to command the approaches to the Ararat plain and the routes stretching toward Lake Sevan.

The fortress was heavily fortified, with defensive walls two to three meters thick and soaring to a height of 12 meters. Remarkably, portions of the massive stone masonry have survived despite numerous earthquakes. The structure’s foundation was built from basalt boulders, above which craftsmen layered rectangular and cubic stones, as well as sun-dried clay bricks bound together with mortar. A watchtower stood beyond the outer defenses. Along the exterior perimeter ran a stone walkway, allowing sentinels to patrol the walls. At the heart of the bastion lay a central square.

Dominating the northwestern sector was the royal palace, which commanded sweeping views of Mount Ararat. The palace complex was composed of two inner courtyards, grand ceremonial halls, servants’ quarters, and various utility structures. Its walls were adorned with tuff, a volcanic stone abundantly available in this seismically active region. The façades were plastered and painted in vivid blue hues. Fragments of wall paintings have survived, bearing witness to the decorative traditions of the Armenian ancestors, who embellished surfaces with intricate patterns and figurative compositions of humans and animals. The ceilings were supported by wooden beams and roofed with reed. The floors, paved with wooden panels, resemble modern parquet. The cellars served as storerooms for food reserves in case of siege, while clay amphorae—karases—filled the wine cellars.

The Temple of Haldi, dedicated to the supreme deity of the Urartian pantheon, was constructed in the Mesopotamian architectural tradition. Its layout included a large ceremonial hall, a square tower, a U-shaped courtyard, and service rooms. Twelve columns upheld the temple vault. The interior walls bore intricate ornaments set against a turquoise backdrop.

The “Susi” temple served as a sanctuary for local worshippers—inhabitants of the land formerly known as Aza, as recorded in chronicles—who revered the god Ivarsha. Another theory suggests that Erebuni’s population was multiethnic, and the temple was built to accommodate the religious needs of foreign settlers for rituals and prayers. The structure lacked windows; sunlight filtered in through an opening in the ceiling, which also vented smoke from ritual fires. Flanking the entrance are inscribed cuneiform texts. The painted interior walls showcase a vibrant palette, the intensity of which is attributed to an ancient dyeing technique whose secrets remain unsolved.

Original artifacts unearthed at Erebuni have been preserved in Armenian museum collections, while the ruins now feature replicas and reconstructions. At the foot of Arin Berd, the Erebuni Museum was inaugurated in 1968. The museum houses relics from the fortress, with replicas on display while some of the most valuable original pieces were transferred to the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan.

During the reign of Argishti I, Urartu reached its zenith, standing as the dominant power of the Near East. A network of canals was constructed to irrigate agricultural lands, transforming the Ararat Valley into a fertile breadbasket. The wealth of its harvests is evidenced by the vast granaries found at Erebuni. Interestingly, archaeologists have uncovered no signs of fire or warfare; the fortress appears to have been surrendered without resistance—likely due to the exhaustion of Urartu’s forces after prolonged conflict with Assyria. Cultural remnants indicate that Erebuni remained inhabited during the Achaemenid period, by which time ancient sources in Greek and Persian had begun referring to the region as Armenia. Gradually, the fortress declined and was ultimately abandoned by the 4th century BCE.

The museum’s exhibits include pottery, ceramics, ornaments, helmets, arrowheads, coins, fragments of frescoes, and figurines of deities. Informational panels are provided in both English and Russian.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Sunday — 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Closed on Mondays and national holidays.
Admission is free for Armenian citizens on the last Saturday of each month, and for school groups on the second Friday of each month.

Ticket Prices:
Adults — 1500 AMD
Students — 1000 AMD
Schoolchildren — 500 AMD
Guided tour in Armenian — 3500 AMD
Guided tour in a foreign language — 6000 AMD

Address:
Khachik Dashtents Street, Yerevan, Armenia

Please note: There are no on-site shops or cafés, so visitors are advised to bring water and wear sun protection, including hats and sunglasses.

How to Get There
Erebuni Fortress is located in Yerevan’s southeastern Erebuni district. There is no nearby metro station, and walking to the site takes about an hour. Public transport options include buses No. 37, 76, and 86, trolleybus No. 2, and minibus No. 11. A one-way ticket costs 100 AMD.
Access to the hilltop fortress is via a staircase. The entrance gates are on the opposite side of the hill, and the fortress can be circumnavigated from either direction—both routes are of equal length.