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Yerevan is the very particular capital of Armenia, a city characterized by the sumptuous architecture of the Soviet era and which carefully preserves the testimonies of its past. There are many things to visit in these parts, but there is one that wins the hearts of its visitors more than others: the waterfall, a giant staircase made of limestone in which some are kept masterpieces of modern art.
An impressive monument and designed by architects Jim Torosyan, Aslan Mkhitaryan e Sargis Gurzadyan and whose construction began in 1971, and was then partially completed in 1980. Originally, it was supposed to be a Soviet-type structure with the top reachable by an escalator inside or by climbing the 572 steps that make up the imposing work located in center of the city, in Tamanyan Square.
However, the works slowed down after the earthquake of 7 December 1988 and a blockade after the fall of the USSR in 1991. But despite this, nowadays the visitor can enjoy this monumental marble staircase interspersed with statues, flower beds and fountains that rises up the side of a hill connecting the city center with the Haghtanak Park, the main green lung of Yerevan.
The wonderful structure of the waterfall
The exterior of the waterfall appears regal and has multiple levels, all adorned da fontane e modernist sculptures of the collection Cafesjian, a philanthropist and art collector belonging to the Armenian diaspora. At the top of the steps there is a rather gloomy square, with the Monument to the 500th anniversary of the Soviet of Armenia in the centre.
The upper part, however, remained unfinished until 2001, when Gerald L. Gefesjian took over the project. Since then the vast concrete structure has changed its appearance: in addition to careful cleaning work, there have been repaired the escalators inside and planted hundreds of flower beds.
In the square at the top, under the monument to the Soviet, a statue of Botero, an irreverent fat cat and completely naked. In front of the waterfall there is the statue of Tamanian, the architect who designed Soviet Yerevan, intent on examining a map. Along the Cascade there are five covered fountains, some of which feature sculpted panels and postmodern khachkars.
On both sides of the waterfall, there are also numerous cafes and restaurants, very popular with locals and tourists who come here fascinated by this beauty.
Source: Wikipedia
The masterpieces of modern art inside the waterfall
There are many masterpieces kept inside. Below the external staircases there are, in fact, seven escalators which rise along the entire length of the complex. And always here there are some exhibition halls that make the Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art and which are connected to each other thanks to the aforementioned escalator mechanism. In particular, here it is possible to admire a rich collection of works of art and glass objects.
The museum is made up of two separate sections: the âCafesjian Sculpture Gardenâ external and the âCafesjian Art Galleriesâ internal. The Cafesjian Sculpture Garden is the front garden of the Waterfall where several sculptures are displayed. But not only that, as previously mentioned these are also found in the garden terrace along the massive steps and fountains that rise from the Tamanyan street gardens.
In the âCafesjian Art Galleriesâ you can admire a large collection of glass artworks displayed in different galleries and sections, including permanent exhibitions or temporary exhibitions. In particular, the âKhanjyan Galleryâ hosts the large-scale mural triptych âHistory of Armeniaâ by the famous Soviet and Armenian painter Grigor Khanjyan.
Finally, during spring, summer and early autumn, they take place here classical and jazz concerts with spectators watching directly sitting on the steps of the structure. And when the staircase lights up, marked by beams of light, it is the signal that another night of fun is about to begin in beautiful Yerevan.
Source: iStock
