A Peephole to the '90s Yerevan
The rocket-fired wall
This hole you see in this picture is in a temporary cement wall covering a construction site on Mher Mkrtchyan street near Republic Square. There's a never-ending construction process on a number of Yerevan's central streets, so Mher Mkrtchyan is no exception. All of those streets are unique because they have/had buildings built in relatively recent times, starting from mainly the second part of the 19th century.
But very few local Yerevantsis know (the suffix "tsi" at the end of Armenian pronouns is similar to "er" in words like "New-Yorker"), that this is the only street where, during the rebellious times of the early 90s, there was an intense street fight between different local political groups where a rocket launcher was used and a local fighter was shot dead. A rocket hit the 19th century building and crushed a part of its wall.
Even for those times of moderate anarchy with elements of civil war and sound of Kalashnikovs everywhere in Yerevan, the use of a rocket launchers and fatal street fights were exceptional. It is perhaps due to Armenia's complicated history that the instinct of self-defense against invading outsiders is more developed than the one to fight each other. Thanks God!
What you see through this hole is one of the very rare traces from those dark times of big changes. And the only way you can find info about this undocumented case is to ask elders living in a radius of 200-300m from this street.
About this spot
10 Mher Mkrtchyan
- 24 hours daily
AMD
no-price
Find your way with 142 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Yerevan
Hraparak Metro
Soviet Shdevr
It truly is a Soviet masterpiece considering its unique design and build: it is part metro station, part cavern and, once upon a time, part cafe.
by
Alan
Grigorian
Open Air Cinema
Constructivism alive
The "Open Air Cinema" in Yerevan in Moscow Cinema has a rich history, and Soviet ruin-porn enthusiasts can access the building all-year round, too!
by
Raffi
Elliott
Homeland Handycrafts
Armenian fair trade
"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...
by
Raffi
Elliott
Millennial Park
Celebrating 2800 years of Yerevan
by
Raffi
Elliott
Hanrapetutyan Street
Beautiful old architecture
"Hanrapetutyan Street" in Yerevan is one of the most central in the city, yet there is so much to see here. The buildings are really beautiful and old...
by
Sofia
Manukyan
Ardēan
Embracing art
"Ardēan": a center for art, architecture and design that has its gallery shop on Abovyan street in Yerevan. I like how they combine technology & tradition.
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Mermaids of the Underground
Or Soviet nudity
The "Mermaids of the Underground" in Yerevan is a sculpture from 1981. The mermaids wear nothing but their hair, which was quite unusual for its time...
by
Vahagn
Vardumyan
Shengavit
A 6000-year-old town in Yerevan!
"Shengavit" is an impressive 6000-year-old settlement which is preserved even better than Yerevan's old town! It was an accidental discovery in the 1930s.
by
Vahagn
Vardumyan
Cross-stone Makers
Talking stones
The "Cross-stone Makers" in Yerevan follow a tradition that goes back to 879 AD. The masters' metal tools on the stone create a meditative sound for me...
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Komitas Museum
Music in the air
The "Komitas Museum" in Yerevan is one of my favorite ones in the city. It gets me thinking about what Armenian music really is about...
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Melancholia
Timeless art
"Melancholia" is a statue in Yerevan that truly expresses the feeling that has been increasingly affecting humankind in the last century...
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Heading to Yerevan?
142 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Yerevan?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 142 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Yerevan
Get to know our other Spotters from Yerevan
As featured on:
