The pride of Soviet/Armenian architecture is the vast and stylish Republic Square, originally called Lenin Square. Designed by Russian born Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian, construction began in 1924 and was completed by 1929, though further developments continued through to 1958.
Pride of place on the north eastern side of the square is the National Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1929. Built of light creamy stone, the gallery/museum contrasts with the pink tufted stone of the surrounding buildings.
Oval in shape, the square is paved with stones designed to look like a traditional rug from the air.
The main government buildings around the square are all constructed from pink volcanic stone, art deco in style and decorated with Armenian motifs. A common building material, the distinctive coloured stone gives the city it's nickname "The Pink City".
The recent protests over the electricity prices rises were in this square (if they made the international news).
The recent protests over the electricity prices rises were in this square (if they made the international news).
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