Kanaker's most important son has been immortalised in his very own museum. Built in the socialist modernist style in the 1960s, the Abovyan Museum is constructed on stone stilts on top of the author's original birthplace and childhood home.
The juxtaposition of the towering soviet-era museum on top of the well-preserved original 19th century cottage is quite striking. It reminds me of a similar (yet grander) museum to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in Gori, Georgia.
I've always been a big fan of Abovyan, so the museum was of special interest to me, but there are some surprising facts for everyone to enjoy. Abovyan studied in the Estonian college-town of Tartu where he was instructed in the ideas of Kant and Hegel by Prussian professors. The museum contains many artifacts from his studies, travels and other possessions, which allowed me to gain a unique perspective on this influential man, his motivations, his environment...
The museum keeps a collection of his personal items, letters, drafts and much more. An impressive statue greets visitors at the entrance of the museum grounds. This statue's homologue stands at the traffic circle at the end of his eponymous street (Abovyan Street) as well.
The Abovyan museum can be a nice place to start a tour of the Kanaker village and provides a lot of historical and tourist information when needed.
Find your way with 142 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Derian Restaurant 1": a Syrian-Armenian restaurant that also happens to be one of my favorites in Yerevan. Everything I've tried there's been delicious.
By
"Mama Jan" in Yerevan is an intercultural space with food for body and soul. They also hold cultural & spiritual events. But that strawberry lassi...!
By
The "Botanical Garden" in Yerevan is great not only for nice longs walks in a mini-forest, but also for witnessing an impressive Soviet-era greenhouse...
By
If I had to choose a single pool in Yerevan, it would be the "Vahakni Pool" and bar, located in the private residential suburb of Vahakni...
By
Central Yerevan's quickly-gentrifying Saryan street is home to a new eatery: George’s DOM. The atmosphere's really something special...
By
The industrial ruins to the south of Yerevan's downtown make a perfect playground for ''ruin porn'' photographers and soviet architecture enthusiasts...
By
The "Artists' Building" in Yerevan is Brezhnev-era apartment tower were many artists, artisans & new occupants practice their craft to this day...
By
"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!
By
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
"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...
By
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
By
142 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 142 Insider Tips