ARMENIA - Yerevan (History Museum of Armenia and Opera House)

15:01 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Located at the Republic Square, the History Museum of Armenia is regarded as Armenia’s national museum. Opened since 1921, this museum has a national collection of 400,000 objects.



National collection of the museum is represented with sections of Archaeology, Numismatics, Ethnography, Mordern History and Restoration.



The exhibits at the museum dates back to few thousand years ago.



The collection of the museum continues to grow as it continually replenishes its collection from excavations made at ancient Armenian sites.   



There is a corridor at the front of the museum’s entrance where you can look at some of the artefacts. Entrance fee is not required if you only want to view the items here and you can take as many pictures as you want.



Bas relief with an image of an angel.



Some of the artefacts found in the Ararat region.



Model of a church. The composition of the model is typical of a 5th to 12th century Armenian architecture.



From the left is a sculpture of a horse tombstone, a cross-stone and a ram shaped tombstone.



The opening hours of the History Museum of Armenia is from 11am till 6pm on Tuesday till Saturday. On Sunday, from 11am till 5pm. On Monday, the museum is closed.



Photography is strictly not allowed in the History Museum of Armenia. However, my beau still managed to take some photographs when no one was looking.



The brown colour item on the left is the Areni-1 shoe, the oldest leather shoe in the world found at the Areni-1 Cave, Armenia.



Some fertility symbols.



Traditional costumes of Armenia. The timber floor of the museum creaks with each step you take. I guess its a security feature of the museum.



Every section of the museum is guarded by at least one guard, even on the outside.



Let’s perceive and preserve, this heritage belongs not only to Armenia, but also to the entire civilized world.



Overall, the items exhibited in the History Museum of Armenia are interesting and well preserved. However, there is lack of English description on some of the artefacts being displayed. 



Also, don’t miss the singing fountain in front of the History Museum of Armenia performed every night.



After visiting the museum, it was our free time to explore the city. We decided to walk towards the Opera House which is 10 minute walking distance away



The best way from Republic Square to the Freedom Square is walking through Northern Avenue.



Designed by Alexander Tamanian, the Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre was officially opened on 20 January 1933.



The magnificent building of the Opera House is located at the Freedom Square. Also known as the Opera Square, this square and the Republic Square are the two main squares in central Yerevan. Freedom Square is also called the symbol of democracy in Armenia.



The Opera House however was only completed with its current shape in 1953.



Statue of Hovhannes Tumanyan, a national poet of Armenia.



The Opera House is one of the main landmark of Yerevan.



The Opera House has two entrance. The entrance from the Freedom Square is home to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, while the side houses the Khachaturian Concert Hall.



The theatre received the statue of National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1956. 



I went to the ticket office located just beside the Opera House which is open from 11am to 8pm, wanting to purchase a ticket for a performance.



However, children under 5 years is not allowed in except for children's performance. The tickets are actually very cheap for an opera performance. Too bad.



There’s a park beside the Opera House with a Swan Lake.



At the Freedom Square, there are also full of open air restaurants.



View of the Opera House at night.



After hanging round the Freedom Square, I headed back to the hotel using the Northern Avenue. Northern Avenue is a pedestrian walkway measuring 450 meters which was completed in 2007. The opera house can be seen at the background.



Some artist displaying some of their works.



You can have your portrait drawn by the artist.



The Avenue is home to branded shops, banks, restaurants, night clubs, luxurious residential buildings, hotels and offices.
 


One of the shop that caught my attention was Armos. Armos is an Armenian brand footwear which is made in Armenia.



Went in the shop and had a look. The shoe is of good quality but the price is quite steep. It cost about 300 USD for a pair of shoe! Well, the salesgirl was indeed friendly but at the end I didn’t part with my hard earned money.



Some high end stores such as Burberry is located at the Northern Avenue.



The Moscow Cinema and also the Golden Palace Hotel and Casino.



Yerevan has plenty of interesting statue on the road side.



A kissing couple.



Continued walking around Yerevan.



A Puppet Theatre.



An interesting looking puppet at the entrance.



I am the Queen!



It was closed when I was there as it was quite late.



The Yerevan State Puppet Theatre was founded since 1935.









Had my dinner here at Northern Avenue.



This was my last dinner and also last night in Yerevan. Sat here at the open restaurant while enjoying the cool weather.



I had lamb chop with chips.



My beau ordered an Armenian dish. Spinach with chicken



Headed back to the Republic Square.



Before returning back to my hotel, I had gelato for my dessert after a hearty meal.



Gelato is a must have at Yerevan. At 500 dram (USD 1) for a scoop, it is cheap! I ate gelato every night while in Yerevan.



The next morning, it was time to to leave Armenia. We headed to the Zvartnots International Airport in the morning.



With a heavy heart I bid farewell to Armenia. I will really miss the Caucasus countries.