Erebouni Fortress (Yerevan, Armenia) – history, tours, expositions. Exact address, phone number, cost of entrance tickets. Local legends and ghosts.
In 782 BC, Argishti I, king of the Kingdom of Van, decided to establish the fortress of Erebuni on the Red Hill as a strategic site to anchor the Urartians in the Ararat Valley, leaving the date of the foundation of the city on a stele made of stone. Standing on the rock, the lord watched as the Hittites captive in ancient Sophene dragged and rolled stones below, laying the foundation of future fabulous palaces and magnificent temples. And to the sound of trumpets and the beat of drums, cuneiform writers carved the inscription on the stele about the birth of the beautiful new city. The inscription was finished, the trumpets and drums muffled, and all eyes turned to Argishti who proclaimed Erebuni as a city in the most beautiful Ararat valley, and assured all his subjects that the spirit of his people would never bow before anybody, and millennia later people would marvel at the glory of that city!
And after many long years archeologists found a cuneiform stele in Yerevan and read the historical ancient document of King Argishti I confirming that hundreds years ago Erebuni was the home of a proud and strong people with an unconquerable spirit. So the legend says.
The monument holds a lot of unsolved and unresolved mysteries and riddles, which can greatly complement the history of Erebuni.
If you have time on your trip to Yerevan, get to this place where the capital of today’s Armenia was born 2700 years ago to get an idea of what ancient Armenian cities looked like. Lovers of antiquity and the dust of the ages will love it!
The ruins of the most ancient city of the state of Urartu, Erebuni (Irpuni, Irepuni) until the 5th-4th centuries B.C., even after the fall of the state of Urartu, which retained its power and independence, are located in the south-east of Yerevan, on its very outskirts.
The name of the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, comes from the ancient name of the fortress – “Erebuni”.
On a small area of about 100 hectares on the hill Arin-Berd are the remains of the citadel and the ancient city structures of raw bricks. The well-preserved walls of the citadel, 3-4 m high (walls at that time were up to 12 m high), outline the general plan of the fortress with an open palace, temples and ceremonial halls.
The largest buildings in the Arinberd citadel were the palace of King Argishti I, the temple of Susi, a hall with columns where official receptions and ceremonies were held, decorated with luxurious, refined multi-color murals, remnants of which show multi-figure compositions and floral ornamentation.
A professional guide during a visit to Erebuni will tell you about the history of the ancient Armenian fortress. The monument holds a lot of unsolved and unresolved mysteries and riddles, which can greatly complement the history of Erebuni.
The Museum of Erebuni fortress-city on the slope of Arin Berd hill, which exhibits valuable samples of Urartian culture, is impressive. Erebuni fortress offers fascinating panoramas of Yerevan and Ararat, and there are many interesting modern sculptures at the foot of Arin-Berd hill.
It is desirable to take drinking water with you, as there is almost no place to buy it nearby. For people with disabilities it is better not to go to the fortress, as for them, unfortunately, nothing is provided.
A visit to Erebuni is like a journey through time, it leaves an indelible mark in the souls of those who have visited it and touched the past of the ancient Armenian city-fortress and Armenia as a whole.
How to get to Erebuni Fortress
Armenia, Yerevan, Arin-Berd Hill. This place is easily accessible by cab (about 20 minutes away).
Erebuni Fortress opening hours
From Tuesday to Sunday Erebuni Fortress can be visited from 10:30 to 16:00.
Ticket price Erebuni fortress
Admission: 1000 AMD for adults, 300 AMD for children and students, with a guide – 2500 AMD.
Website: erebuni.am.
