This almost 6000-year-old house in Shengavit settlement of Yerevan is preserved better than Yerevan's old town (which almost disappeared in the past few decades). It most likely had a wooden roof with a little round or square window on top, to let the smoke out when the ritual or cooking fire was burning.
The buildings were mainly round and rectangular. If there hadn't been any mining research in the early 1930s around Yerevanian lake, the discovery of this 2-acre early Bronze Age settlement, located in south-western part of Yerevan, could have been indefinitely delayed Evgeni Bayburdyan, who found and named it Shengavit, wasn’t lucky enough to finish his work, because he was sent to Siberia by Stalin.
When you’re in Yerevan, you shouldn’t miss the perfect opportunity to visit this open-air museum on the life of Shengavitans, who perhaps made the greatest quality pottery in the whole region. Geometric ornaments on clay pots dated 3500-3300 BC remind me of the enigmatic Nazca Lines in Southern Peru (giant geoglyphs in Nazca Desert). I love finding parallels between remote cultures, because it gives a feeling of unity and helps feel closer to every single corner of this amazing planet.
Shengavit is located on a hill, high enough to see the mountains around. The trilingual guide (who speaks English, French and Russian) of the museum next to the ruins will show you priceless artifacts and introduce you to the reconstructed local male with a faithfully Armenian nose. Ring the bell to enter.
Find your way with 153 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
If you want to try true Armenian street food — not the polished, tourist-friendly version, but the real local favorite — Zaviki Ghars is the place!
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Discover Yervand Kochar’s avant-garde art at a small museum in Yerevan’s center. Here modernism meets Armenian tradition in surreal sculptures and abstract forms.
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Discover Hin Nork, Yerevan’s hidden, old neighborhood with stone houses, wine cellars, and quiet streets reveal the city’s soul beyond the tourist trail.
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Craving quick, tasty comfort food in Yerevan? Head to Master Class Qabab for good quality kebabs, Angus lahmajun, or a cold draft beer, like locals do.
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The Beatles Pub on Pushkin Street is Yerevan’s lively spot for classic rock, diverse crowds with its warm atmosphere. Best for a fun night out with friends!
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What makes Holy Mother of God Chapel special is how deeply personal it feels. It's incredibly sincere here. No rituals, no ceremony — just honest, quiet belief.
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In Napoletana Armenia I like to sit at the outdoor patio, eat slowly, and just watch people pass by — it’s a quiet front-row seat to Yerevan life.
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Tokhmakh Park is a popular spot for locals to work out, jog, or just relax. You'll find people running around the lake or taking in the peaceful views.
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Hidden beneath Davtashen Bridge, take a walk by graffiti-covered walls and experience the striking contrast between city chaos and quiet riverside.
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The "Modern Art Museum of Yerevan" doesn't look special on the outside but its collection is striking & the entrance is super-cheap! Great for art lovers.
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153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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