May 18, 2023 is the International Museum Day in Armenia. Today, during working hours, museums will be available for free admission, and on May 20 from 11:00 to midnight. We have selected twenty Armenian museums and galleries that we advise you to pay attention to.
Contents
- History Museum of Armenia
- National Art Gallery of Armenia
- House Museum of Martiros Saryan
- Museum of Yervand Kochar
- Sergei Parajanov Museum
- Yerevan Museum of Modern Art
- Center for Innovative Experimental Art "NPAK"
- Art Quarter
- Matenadaran
- Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide
- Historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Erebuni"
- House-Museum of Lusik Aguletsi
- Geological Museum named after O.T. Karapetyan
- Yerevan brandy-wine-vodka plant "Noy"
- Soviet Club
- Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts
- Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Garni"
- Gallery of sisters Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan
- House Museum of Hovhannes Shiraz
- Art Gallery and Museum "Web"
1. History Museum of Armenia
Of course, this place should be first on the list. In each country, to get an idea about it, tourists go to the historical museum. Many rooms in the Armenian Museum are closed due to renovations, but this will not prevent you from spending a few hours there. You will see the archaeological finds that you expect from a historical one, as well as halls with national decorations and clothes of incredible beauty, as well as old maps on which Armenia is marked. Spoiler: you will find it even on the map of the earthly Paradise.
Address: Yerevan, Republic Square, 4
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, Friday from 10:00 to 19:00
2. National Art Gallery of Armenia
Without leaving the building of the Museum of History, go up to the second floor. There is the National Gallery. Again, only temporary exhibitions and a few halls are open due to renovations. But it’s worth stopping by here to look at Armenian impressionism – so original and bright. Make time for the new exhibition dedicated to nudity in Armenian graphics. And looking at the exhibition “Martiros Saryan. Book and Art", you will want to visit the museum, which is the next item.
Address: Republic Square, 4
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
3. House Museum of Martiros Saryan
Martiros Saryan is perhaps the most famous Armenian artist, his style is very recognizable. In the house-museum, one can trace the evolution of Saryan's work, see how the artist's formation took place and, even, in what environment. See whose work William Saroyan, John Updike and John Steinbeck admired.
Address: st. M. Saryan, 3
Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00
4. Museum of Yervand Kochar
Speaking of world-famous Armenians, one of the first to be remembered is Yervand Kochar, an artist and sculptor, avant-garde artist. The Kochar Museum is quite small, there are only a few rooms, but you will definitely remember it and will surely recommend it to your friends. The main thing that surprises and fascinates visitors is the three-dimensional moving works created by Kochar for the first time - "Painting in Space", for which it is worth coming to the museum.
Address: Mesrop Mashtots avenue, 39/12
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00
5. Sergei Parajanov Museum
The works of the Armenian director, screenwriter and artist Sergei Parajanov can either be incredibly loved, admired, or, on the contrary, raise your eyebrows in surprise and think: “This is not mine.” In any case, visiting a museum is an acquaintance with a unique, extraordinary talent that makes you talk about yourself.
Personal experience
In July 2022, an unfamiliar man stopped me on the street. He turned out to be a tourist from Iran. I thought maybe he wants to meet or find out the way. But all he was interested in was whether I was in the Parajanov Museum. The man was so impressed by this place that he was ready to share his enthusiasm with everyone around and advise the museum. That is the power of art.
Address: st. Parajanova, 1
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30
6. Yerevan Museum of Modern Art
We know that someone loves museums of contemporary art, and someone bypasses them or, having entered, says: “I can do that too.” We advise you to devote time to the Yerevan Museum. Seeing such different, unusual paintings and sculptures, the visitor understands that they are all connected. It is as if one can trace a thin thread of Armenian culture going from one work to another. You will definitely find works that will make you stop, look and think about something of your own.
Address: Mesrop Mashtots avenue, 7
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00
7. Center for Innovative Experimental Art "NPAK"
And again modern art. But "NPAK" is not like the museum we mentioned above. This is an art center where exhibitions of contemporary artists and sculptors are held, where you can find out (even firsthand) what excites a modern artist, what he wants to share. In addition, cinema and theatrical performances are shown here, festivals and conferences are held. In general, the center of attraction for lovers of contemporary art.
Address: st. Pavstos Byuzand, 1/3
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 12:00 to 19:00
8. Art Quarter
Art Kvartal is a cultural center that should be on the must visit list. This is a space with a gallery where they show their work, literally live and work with local artists. Here you can buy works of art and products made by local and relocated artists. People come here for a relaxed, cozy atmosphere, communication and pleasure from beauty.
Address: st. Pushkin, 4
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday from 12:30 to 20:30
9. Matenadaran
If you ask locals or tourists which museum to visit in Yerevan, most will name Matenadaran. This is a repository of ancient manuscripts in different languages. Visitors are advised to walk with a guide, and then explore the halls again on their own to see the details. They come back here for the second and third time and always learn something new about the Armenian culture.
Address: Ave. Mesrop Mashtots, 53
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 16:50
10. Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide
It is impossible to understand the Armenian people without plunging into the most important pages of its history. This crime affected almost every Armenian, influenced the history of modern Armenia, and therefore it is necessary and important to know and remember about it. Being in a museum, reading about what happened, of course, is not easy - tears often well up in your eyes here. And yet, everyone who comes to Armenia should visit here at least once.
Address: Tsitsernakaberd highway, 8/8
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday; from March to December - from 10:00 to 17:00, from December to March - from 11:00 to 16:30
11. Historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Erebuni"
A real opportunity to touch history exists in the Erebuni Museum-Reserve. The museum building houses the oldest exhibits and displays the results of archaeological excavations. But the most interesting thing in the complex is the fortress. You can walk along its walls, look inside and find out how it looked during the time of the kingdom of Urartu.
Address: st. Erebuni, 38
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 10:30 to 16:40
12. House-Museum of Lusik Aguletsi
You can immerse yourself in the history of Armenia and its people not only in historical museums, looking at archaeological finds. Take a look at the house-museum of Lusik Aguletsi, an artist, ethnographer who has collected a collection of items that tell about Armenian culture. Lusik lovingly kept local traditions, knew the history of her country, and it was possible to recognize her even from afar by the national costume. This is a unique woman whose house is a must-see and even stay for a traditional meal.
Address: st. Muratsana, 79
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00
13. Geological Museum named after O.T. Karapetyan
The geological museum will be interesting for both children and adults, who themselves will feel small and very curious again. It is not necessary to be fond of geology in order to spend time here with interest. We advise you to take a tour - it will be conducted for you by a friendly researcher who will answer all your questions. If you still doubt whether it is worth going, then let's reveal a secret: the main attraction of the museum is the skeleton of a mammoth.
Address: Marshal Baghramyan Ave., 24A
Opening hours: Monday - Friday from 10:30 to 17:00
14. Yerevan brandy-wine-vodka plant "Noy"
Within the walls of the Yerevan Fortress, there is the Noy factory, at which a museum functions. Connoisseurs of strong drinks will be pleased with the tasting, and lovers of museums and history will learn about the history of the appearance of cognac in Armenia, its production technology and, what is most interesting, will go down into the active tunnel of the fortress.
Address: Admiral Isakov Ave, 9
Tour hours: Monday - Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 11:00 to 15:00
15. Soviet Club
A powerful immersion in the era of the USSR. Hayk Bianjyan, the founder of the museum, lovingly restored the atmosphere of a Soviet apartment, a cafe, a game room, and a parking lot of Soviet cars was located in the courtyard of his museum. Absolutely everything - from a photo album to a gramophone, you can touch, play on the machines, paying 15 kopecks. The cafe serves sandwiches on Borodino bread with bacon and duchesse. On weekends, there are themed parties and tastings. Even those who were not born in the USSR will feel nostalgia.
Address: st. Sebastia, 37/5
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 15:00 to 00:00
16. Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts
As visitors say, this is perhaps the best place in Vanadzor. Here you can not only get acquainted with art, but also get to know the Armenian people better. In the museum, you will definitely linger for several hours, wandering through three floors and viewing both classical paintings and modern works.
Address: Vanadzor, Tigran Mets Ave., 52
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00
17. Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve "Garni"
Garni is one of the main tourist destinations in Armenia. The museum-reserve contains unique objects: the only pagan temple preserved in Armenia, a fortress, a bathhouse with a mosaic floor and other ancient structures. The complex is located in a picturesque place with beautiful views of the mountains, which will remain in your memory for a long time. Here you want to walk for a long time and enjoy nature.
Address: With. Garni, st. Gevorg Marzpetuni
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00
18. Gallery of sisters Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan
The people of Gyumri invite you to touch the art in the gallery of the Aslamazyan sisters. The building itself is from the 19th century. worthy of attention - the traditions of European and Armenian architecture are intertwined here. You will see the famous wooden balconies, which are almost never found in Yerevan, here. The bright exposition, which occupies two floors of the house, will tell about Armenian culture, history and, most importantly, about the fate of women in the Armenian patriarchal society.
Address: Gyumri, st. Abovyan, 242
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00
19. House Museum of Hovhannes Shiraz
Walking through the center of Gyumri, you will surely pay attention to a large beautiful house with iron gates on Varpetats Street. You can go there and be a guest of the poet Hovhannes Shiraz. Guests of the city say that this is a must-see and a great opportunity to get acquainted with the Armenian school curriculum. And if you stay longer in Gyumri, you may get to a musical evening or stand-up at the Bar Bar art bar in the museum courtyard.
Address: Gyumri, st. Varpetats, 101
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00
20. Art Gallery and Museum "Web"
The name of the gallery speaks for itself - all the paintings here are from the web. It seems that this alone is enough to attract the visitor's attention. The author Andronik Avetisyan himself talks about his work, why he uses such material and what inspires him. You won't find a more unusual museum in Gyumri.
Address: Gyumri, st. 26 Baku Commissars, 97
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday from 11:00 to 20:00
If you have any questions about the work of museums, or want to learn more about the cultural life of Armenia, write to our support service @move2armenia_official. They know the answers to all questions.
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