Erebuni Fortress was founded in 782 BCE by King Argishti I and is considered the birthplace of Yerevan. This ancient Urartian citadel once stood as a powerful military and administrative center overlooking the Ararat plain.

Today, the site offers only a modest glimpse into its former glory. The Erebuni museum building appears impressive from the outside, with wide steps leading up to the entrance — but inside, there’s surprisingly little to see, apart from a handful of interesting artifacts.

From the museum, a staircase leads up to the reconstructed fortress. The outer walls have been rebuilt all around, giving a sense of the original scale. At the entrance, a replica(?) of an inscription stone marks the foundation of the fortress by King Argishti I.

Within the ruins, you can see the outlines of the palace, various rooms, storage areas, and other structures, all surrounded by reconstructed perimeter walls. We also came across traces of ancient wall paintings. 

Much of the signage is outdated and barely readable, with only a few newer panels added. The site is somewhat overgrown, and, overall, feels a bit neglected. We were almost alone at the site and used about an hour. 

A visit is worthwhile for the historical significance, but don’t expect something extraordinary. 

Entrance fee was 1500 dram (covers both museum and fortress), as all the other state museums in Armenia. The site is closed Mondays.