As Armenia’s capital, Yerevan is home to architectural treasures from virtually every era: the timeworn district of Kond with its labyrinthine 18th-century Eastern-style streets; Abovyan Street, an elegant remnant of the Russian Empire; and the city center, a masterpiece of early Soviet urbanism built with glowing pink tuff. Yet the oldest—and perhaps most profound—glimpse into the city’s past lies in Erebuni, a site that brings the spirit of the ancient kingdom of Urartu to life. Erebuni stands as one of humanity’s most ancient citadels, a place still steeped in mystery and allure. Its weather-worn stones whisper stories to historians and travelers alike, offering a unique window into Armenia’s deep past.
The origins of Erebuni are rooted in the powerful ancient Near Eastern kingdom of Urartu. During the first half of the 1st millennium BCE, Urartu stretched across much of present-day Armenia, eastern Turkey, and parts of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.
For centuries, Urartu remained unknown to the world until 1827, when German archaeologist Friedrich Schulz stumbled upon enigmatic cuneiform inscriptions in the rocky regions near Lake Van in modern-day Turkey. These triangular carvings were unfamiliar to scholars. Only after years of painstaking study, and through comparisons with Assyrian texts, did researchers decipher their secrets—unveiling the forgotten civilization of Urartu.
The inscriptions chronicled the lives of kings and gods, military campaigns, and the establishment of great fortresses. Among these, one stood out: a fortress named Erebuni, built on the eastern frontier. But the precise location of Erebuni remained a mystery for over a century.
Meanwhile, in the late 19th century, locals in Yerevan began discovering stones marked with ancient scripts near the city’s outskirts. In 1950, excavations began on a hill known as Arin Berd, southeast of the city. There, a student archaeologist unearthed a stone bearing Urartian cuneiform that revealed the truth—Erebuni had stood on this very hill.
The inscription declared that the fortress was founded in the fifth year of King Argishti I’s reign, which corresponds to 782 BCE. Soviet historian and orientalist Boris Piotrovsky later proposed that the modern name “Yerevan” derived from “Erebuni.” This discovery established 782 BCE as the city’s official founding date—making Yerevan 29 years older than Rome.
Excavations in the 1960s uncovered layers upon layers of history. After Urartu’s decline at the end of the 7th century BCE, Erebuni experienced a revival in the 6th to 4th centuries BCE as a key province in the Achaemenid Empire. Thus, Erebuni evolved into a complex, multi-layered archaeological site. Its foundations retain structures from the Urartian period, later modified by Persian builders.
In 1968, the Erebuni Museum-Reserve was established on the site. Soviet restorers stabilized ancient foundations, partially reconstructed massive fortress walls, and revived the skeletal frames of royal halls—all while preserving priceless frescoes that had survived the ravages of time.
Today, archaeological work continues at Erebuni. Countless questions remain: When exactly was the site abandoned? What triggered its decline? As research progresses, visitors are welcome to explore this captivating place. The fortress has become one of Yerevan’s most cherished historical destinations, drawing thousands annually who walk its ancient streets and delve into the early history of Armenia’s capital.
Today, Erebuni exists as a vast archaeological complex perched atop Arin Berd Hill. Visitors can admire the preserved masonry of ancient walls, step into partially restored temples, and wander through the chambers of a once-mighty royal palace. Adjacent to the ruins, the Erebuni Museum showcases the most valuable artifacts unearthed during decades of excavation.
Begin your journey through Erebuni at the square in front of the museum, where a striking monument honors King Argishti I, the founder of Yerevan. Sculpted by Levon Tokmajyan and unveiled in 2002, the monument is crafted from vivid black and orange tuff. It depicts the mighty king commanding a battle chariot, embodying the power and vision of Urartu’s golden age.
The museum building itself is adorned with magnificent bas-reliefs designed by renowned Armenian monumental sculptor Ara Harutyunyan—famous for iconic works such as “Mother Armenia” and the memorial complex in Sardarapat. Harutyunyan meticulously studied Urartian frescoes not only from Erebuni but also from other ancient fortresses, using them as inspiration for his sculptural narratives.
The museum’s central façade features a commanding portrait of Argishti, whose helmet is topped with a figure of Tushpuea, the Urartian Sun Goddess. To his left, a column of city builders—architects, sculptors, carpenters, and masons—marches in solemn tribute. To his right, a procession of warriors stands in eternal vigilance. Scattered among them are vital symbols of Urartian culture, such as the Tree of Life and winged griffins.
On the southern façade, a vivid hunting scene portrays the fierce chase of a lion. The northern wall bears the image of the supreme god Haldi, surrounded by other mythic creatures and sacred emblems, including a winged bull symbolizing victory and a lioness in a vineyard—a totem of the Urartian deity.
The museum boasts a remarkable collection of 12,000 artifacts—spanning not only the Urartian era but also the Achaemenid and subsequent periods.
Among its standout displays is a bronze map of the ancient kingdom of Urartu and an intricate model of the Erebuni fortress, complete with its network of streets. Visitors are drawn to the bas-relief of the god Haldi standing atop a lion and a life-sized replica of a two-wheeled war chariot.
The crown jewels of the museum are 23 cuneiform tablets—fondly dubbed “Yerevan’s stone passports.” These rare inscriptions shed invaluable light on the founding of the fortress and offer intimate glimpses into daily life in Urartu. Each tablet is thoughtfully accompanied by a translation.
Other intriguing exhibits include stone pipes from the ancient water supply system. To this day, scholars marvel at how the Urartians engineered a gravity-fed aqueduct that channeled water uphill to the fortress summit. What’s more, the conduit was so expertly concealed beneath the earth that it remained undiscovered by enemies for centuries.
Equally captivating is the funerary pottery on display—ceramic urns with three small holes used to contain the ashes of the cremated. According to Urartian belief, the souls of the departed could escape through these openings and journey to the afterlife.
Later-period artifacts also enrich the collection, such as silver rhytons—horn-shaped drinking vessels from the Achaemenid era (6th–4th centuries BCE). One particularly fascinating rhyton features the figure of a horseman, whose helmet is adorned with an eagle. Scholars speculate this could be a portrait of a real-life ruler of Erebuni. In 2023, this vessel was exhibited at the British Museum, where it garnered widespread acclaim from antiquities and art experts alike.
The ancient city of Erebuni once comprised a citadel crowning the hill of Arin Berd, surrounded by residential quarters sprawling at its base. Today, the central attraction of the archaeological complex is the fortress itself, where visitors can walk through ancient ruins and visualize the layout of the once-mighty city.
To reach the citadel, step out of the museum and follow the path along its left side. As you ascend the staircase, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of modern Yerevan and the Ararat Valley.
The fortress was once protected by formidable 12-meter-high walls. Their foundations were built using slabs of black basalt and reddish-orange tuff—a volcanic stone native to the region. The upper walls, now mostly in fragments, were constructed of sun-dried bricks. From these remnants, historians have uncovered the ancient building techniques: clay mixed with sand and water, reinforced with straw, and then dried under the sun in still weather—no firing involved.
Inside the citadel once stood the royal palace, a columned hall, temples, residences, and various utility buildings, including granaries prepared for prolonged sieges. Some of the structures still feature plastered walls adorned with colorful murals.
Let’s now explore the most intriguing structures found within the fortress grounds.
One of Erebuni’s largest and most significant buildings, the Temple of Haldi likely served as the spiritual heart of the citadel. It was here that Soviet archaeologists unearthed the most exceptional frescoes. One such painting portrays a deity in human form standing atop a lion—widely believed to represent Haldi, the chief god of the Urartian pantheon, revered as a sky lord and thunderer. Excavations also revealed remnants of an altar once used for ritual sacrifices.
The temple underwent multiple reconstructions. Initially, it was a modest square sanctuary, later expanded with a portico supported by twelve columns. During the Achaemenid period, the building was transformed into a 30-columned apadana—an audience hall used for grand ceremonies and royal audiences.
Located near the entrance to the archaeological complex, the temple has been partially restored. Conservators have reinforced the original masonry and added a wooden roof. Faded but still vivid murals can be seen along the interior walls, offering a glimpse into the temple’s former splendor.
A large portion of the Erebuni fortress is occupied by the royal residence, including the palace of Argishti I, a ceremonial hall, temples, service quarters, and rooms for attendants. Several rooms have survived in relatively good condition. Based on archaeological evidence, experts believe these spaces were once used for receptions. Reconstructions even reveal the original timber-beamed ceilings.
Of particular interest is a unique temple built in the “susi” architectural style, a form typical in Urartian religious architecture. This rectangular, tower-like building covers an area of 40 square meters. Its foundation differs markedly from other Erebuni structures, being composed of larger, more finely worked stone blocks.
Cuneiform inscriptions state that this temple was dedicated to a deity named Immarsia. This has puzzled researchers, as Immarsia was not a Urartian god, but belonged to the pantheon of the Hittite-Luwians—a people who inhabited parts of modern-day Turkey and northern Syria during the same era as Urartu. One theory suggests the temple was meant for prisoners of war who adhered to different faiths. Another proposes it was constructed by foreign soldiers in the service of King Argishti. Regardless of its origins, the temple stands as a compelling testament to Erebuni’s multicultural character and Urartu’s respect for diverse religious practices.
The Erebuni Archaeological Complex is located at 38 Erebuni Street.
A taxi ride from downtown Yerevan takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Minibuses also service the site, departing from Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square, and the Rossiya cinema. The stop you need is “Erebuni Square,” the route’s final destination.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays. A single ticket grants access to both the museum’s rich antiquities collection and the sprawling archaeological complex on the hill.
