Built in the 1950s, the Yerevan Railway Station is a colossal relic of Yerevan’s Soviet past. The station has U.S.S.R. written all over it: not only does it epitomize Stalinist/Socialist Classical architecture but also flaunts the old Soviet Armenian coat of arms at the very tip of its massive pillar. In my opinion, the building also resembles a caravanserai – ancient Near Eastern traveler/caravan stops. The interior of the station is predominately white with an ornate ceiling. To each side of the station are gardens, and it even hosts a restaurant. Immediately outside of the station is a large statute of Sasuntsi Davit, a popular folk hero from the early Middle Ages. Accordingly, the station is widely referred to as the Sasuntsi Davit Station.
Lastly, the station functions as both a train station and a metro stop. One can catch a train to Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, or to the capital of the Republic of Georgia, Tbilisi. The trains are fairly slow and there are mixed reviews regarding service, so be sure to check the schedule or call ahead of time for reservations. You may also check the pages here and here for more information.
Every time I visit this station, or even drive by it, I feel like I am in a time traveling back to the 1930s or 40s. Those interested in Soviet history, art, or architecture should definitely check this place out.
Find your way with 142 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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"The Green Bean Cafe" in Yerevan is a place I go to for meeting someone fast or when I need somewhere quiet to work. Great vegetarian & vegan food!
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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.
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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!
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"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...
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"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...
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"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.
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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...
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"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.
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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...
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