Cathedral of Avan Yerevan
The oldest church in Yerevan
Yerevan is an ancient city, but only a few places here are more than a couple of hundred years old. The Cathedral of Avan is one of those rare exceptions. Built in the 6th century, it’s the oldest surviving church structure in the Yerevan area — and one of the most overlooked.
The Cathedral of Avan was originally built as a Catholic church in opposition to the traditional Armenian Apostolic Church. It once had five domes and a very unique architectural design. Today, the roof is gone, but much of the structure remains. When you stand inside its walls, you can feel just how old this place is.
I love visiting the Cathedral of Avan because it reminds me of how deep Yerevan's history runs. But honestly, I also feel a bit sad. The site is poorly preserved, barely marked, and mostly unknown, even to many locals in Yerevan. Only the residents of Avan seem to visit it regularly. If you're lucky, they’ll share their own legends and stories passed down about the cathedral.
If you want to see a piece of real, ancient Yerevan — quiet, raw, and untouched — this is the place.
About this spot
Marshal Khudyakov Street 2nd Lane
- 247
AMD
free
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