Yerevan

Yerevan, Armenia's capital with a population of over 1 million people is an attractive city of wide tree lined boulevards and stylish buildings built of the local pink volcanic tuffa stone. The city lies in the fertile Ararat valley and from most places the towering peak of Mount Ararat can be seen. This is reputed to be the resting-place of Noah's Ark.

Yerevan's most important sights include Erebuni, the Urartian fortress dating back to 782 BC which was one of the first capitals of Armenia, The Matenadaran Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of priceless ancient manuscripts (over 16,000) ; The memorial of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and Republic Square, the city's impressive central square. Here you will find Government buildings, the National Art Gallery and the Armenia Hotel. The colourful Vernisaj market takes place every weekend in the centre of Yerevan. You will find on sale a good selection of paintings on sale, souvenirs made of obsidian and other local stones, embroideries, carpets and every sort of bric-a-brac imaginable.