Friday – July 26, 2013
It was another hot sunny day in Yerevan. The daytime temperatures this week ranged between 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. Only mad-dogs and tourists were out during the heat of the day. Throughout the city there are cheap efficient official and unofficial taxis. To go from one corner of Yerevan to another, the typical fare is between 700 to 1000 Drams which is about $1.70 to $2.44 per ride. Before getting into a taxi, a tourist tells the driver the destination and asks the price in order to prevent surprises at the destination. In my brief taxi experiences, all the drivers were honest and helpful.
King Argishti I of Urartu
This morning we took a taxi to the Erebuni Fortress and Museum which is located on the outskirts of Yerevan. Erebuni was founded by the Urartian King Argishti I in 782 B.C. It was one of several fortresses built along the northern Urartian border to serve as a military stronghold and became an important political and cultural center of the kingdom. The name Yerevan is derived from Erebuni.
Entrance to the Erubuni Fortress Museum
The fortress was built on the top of a high hill known as “Arin Berd” and was surrounded by 30 – 40 foot stone walls. King Argishti constructed a grand palace, a royal assembly hall, a temple, living quarters, dormitories, and storerooms. Successive Urartian kings made Erebuni their place of residence during their military campaigns against northern invaders.
Urartu Artifacts
Excavations of the fortress began in 1952 by an international team and continue today. The museum houses many Urartian artifacts which were uncovered during excavations, including ceramic jars, bracelets, beads, drinking vessels, helmets, silver coins, and arrows. Stones with carved cuneiform inscriptions were also found at the site.
Interior of the Erubuni Fortress Museum
Artifacts From the Excavations
View of Yerevan From the Fortress
Diorama of Erubuni Fortress
Walking Around The Fortress Wall
Greeting Hall
Walls were decorated with colorful frescoes depicting human figures, gods, geometric and floral designs.
Continuing Up Into the Fortress
Foundation Stones
Another View Over Yerevan
Archeological Site
Archeologists at Work
Diorama of Current Archeological Plans
Iranian Graduate Student
Painstaking Archeological Work
It was very hot on the top of the Erubuni hill. The archeologists took a lunch break and Francoise and I descended to street level. We found a taxi parked across the street and negotiated a fare to take us back to the center of Yerevan.
Typical Houses Outside Central Yerevan
A Natural ‘Gas Station’
Francoise wanted to find an outdoor market so we settled on The Tashir Market to shop and have lunch. There are several covered outdoor markets throughout Yerevan. The taxi driver dropped us off between the modern glass enclosed shopping center and the market. I asked about a nearby restaurant and was directed to the third floor of the glass building.
Steps Leading to the Modern Tashir Shopping Center
Inside the Tashir Shopping Center
Jewelry Center Toward the Back
There was a brightly lit large room at the back of the first floor of the shopping mall. We walked in and discovered many rows of small tables with people selling all varieties of expensive jewelry. There were mainly gold pieces with sparkling gemstones, primarily diamonds. There is a guard’s hand in the photo above. He tried to stop me from taking the picture, but wasn’t quick enough.
Tashir ‘Fast Food’ Restaurant
We found a Tashir Pizza chain restaurant on the third floor. Francoise had a fresh pasta salad and I had roasted vegetables. We also had two bottles of spring water and coffee for about $8.00 total.
Pictorial Menus
More Traditional Market
Inside the Market
Another View
Dried Fruits and Nuts
Who Needs Bags When You Have Baskets?
Fruit Stalls
Brooms
Mulberries, Raspberries, Figs, Grapes, etc.
Pictures in the Meat Market
Lamb & Beef Section
Cheese Section
Hand-Mixing Cheeses
Behind the Market
Serious Chess Game
Russian Household Goods
Clothing
Lavash Lady
Dried Fruit Arrangements