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.