Mermaids of the Underground Yerevan
Or Soviet nudity
Meet the marble-blonde beauties of the Armenian underground. One holds a big plate of grapes and other fruits, the other holds a round bread & salt, both wearing nothing but long mermaid hair, and they're obviously not shy. But, being created in the 80s, this subway artwork isn't really within the aesthetic limits of its time, believe me.
How come? Was this a symbol of a happy communist paradise with naturist elements approved by telepathic politicians that could feel the end of Soviet 10 years in advance and wanted to open their minds up? Or maybe this was a late artistic response to the Soviet version of sexual revolution, from a safe distance of time?
According to different sources, this bas-relief symbolizes the Armenian-Russian friendship (Armenia is the left one with fruits, Russia is the right one with bread & salt), which is also connected to the name of the station "Barekamutyun" meaning friendship. The station was opened on March 7th 1981, and since then people started discussing the marble mermaids, partly because the author Ghukas Chubaryan wasn't famous for nude sculptures, and people wanted to understand if this was a new tendency in modern art?
Apparently there was also a cafe somewhere in the central part of the station, which I don't remember. Unofficial sources say that one of the main questions that construction workers debated for long, was "why the body of the Russian girl looks slightly better then the Armenian one?". But, to be honest, I like the Armenian mermaid more.
Find your way with 142 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Yerevan
Vahakni Pool
Cool off in the hot Yerevan summer
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
Raffi
Elliott
George’s DOM
Have brunch in an indoor-garden
Central Yerevan's quickly-gentrifying Saryan street is home to a new eatery: George’s DOM. The atmosphere's really something special...
by
Raffi
Elliott
Industrial Ruins
Post-industrial ruin paradise
The industrial ruins to the south of Yerevan's downtown make a perfect playground for ''ruin porn'' photographers and soviet architecture enthusiasts...
by
Raffi
Elliott
Artists' Building
A Soviet institution
The "Artists' Building" in Yerevan is Brezhnev-era apartment tower were many artists, artisans & new occupants practice their craft to this day...
by
Raffi
Elliott
The Green Bean Cafe
Coffee and pastries
"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
Arpi
Janyan
Hraparak Metro
Soviet Shdevr
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
Alan
Grigorian
Open Air Cinema
Constructivism alive
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
Raffi
Elliott
Homeland Handycrafts
Armenian fair trade
"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...
by
Raffi
Elliott
Millennial Park
Celebrating 2800 years of Yerevan
by
Raffi
Elliott
Hanrapetutyan Street
Beautiful old architecture
"Hanrapetutyan Street" in Yerevan is one of the most central in the city, yet there is so much to see here. The buildings are really beautiful and old...
by
Sofia
Manukyan
Ardēan
Embracing art
"Ardēan": a center for art, architecture and design that has its gallery shop on Abovyan street in Yerevan. I like how they combine technology & tradition.
by
Arpi
Ohanyan
Shengavit
A 6000-year-old town in Yerevan!
"Shengavit" is an impressive 6000-year-old settlement which is preserved even better than Yerevan's old town! It was an accidental discovery in the 1930s.
by
Vahagn
Vardumyan
Heading to Yerevan?
142 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Yerevan?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 142 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Yerevan
Get to know our other Spotters from Yerevan
As featured on:
