In the eastern part of the Ararat plain is the city of Yerevan (220 km²). It is the capital of the Republic of Armenia and is considered one of the ancient cities of Europe.
The city, located on the left bank of the Araks River, was founded by the king of the state of Urartu Argishti I, who led the construction of a fortress city on the site of the future capital in 782 BC. He gave it the name Erebuni, which survived until 1936.
Now Yerevan is considered the economically developed main city of Armenia. Developed tourist infrastructure, historical cultural monuments attract tourists from near and far abroad. Shopping in Yerevan has become popular. Many travel enthusiasts try to bring memorable souvenirs of their stay in this amazing and benevolent country.
Silver and gold items for women and men
Silver jewelry made by Armenian jewelers has been admiring with its colors since ancient times. items,found during archaeological excavations on the territory of Erebuni, testify that the Armenian nobility attached great importance to silver products.
Historians found that the creations of Armenian jewelers were the main part of the dowry. Headdresses, various women's jewelry, dishes and many other items, decorated with fine silver engraving, were considered valuable gifts from the bride.
The work of jewelers in the 17th-19th centuries was a consequence of the development of the Armenian economy. Now tourists can see the works of modern jewelers, whose expositions are in the Yerevan Museum of Folk Art and Crafts named after the Armenian artist Hovhannes Sharambeyan.
Silver jewelry guests of Yerevan can purchase at the Tashir shopping center, at the Vernissage trade exhibition of works of art. The Golden Market is located on Khorenatsi Street. It is there that you can view and buy various dark gold jewelry.
Carpets from Yerevan
And what else to bring from Yerevan? One of the main traditional arts of Armenia is the production of handicrafts decorated with various patterns (carpet weaving).
Since the Middle Ages, except for Armenia, carpets have been made in China, Japan, Georgia, Persia and other Islamic states. The production of drawings on the carpets of Armenia differed from the carpets of neighboring states.
They had images of animals, people, which was unusual for the culture of Islam. After sometime, Armenian carpets became popular outside the state.
In 1958, at the World Exhibition in Belgium, the carpet products of Armenian masters received a gold medal and worldwide recognition. In 1991, in order to revive carpet art, a law was passed where the sale of hand-made carpets is exempt from income tax.
Tourists can get acquainted with woven works in the Museum of Spiritual Culture of Armenia (Museum of Ethnography of Armenia). Now the largest enterprise specializing in the manufacture of such coatings by hand is considered Megeryan Carpet. It was founded by the Megerian brothers in 1917 in New York.
In 2002, the management of the company purchased the premises of the Aygort plant on the outskirts of Yerevan. There began the production of such products according to the technology of past centuries.
Those who wish to buy an Armenian handmade carpet as a souvenir can visit the Megeryan Carpet factory. It is located on Madoyan street. Carpets with national ornaments are also put up for sale at the Vernissage shopping area. The cost of the carpet depends on the size and complexity of the pattern (from 180 thousand rubles).
Brandy products of Armenia
The most popular alcoholic drink for more than two hundred years among all produced by different companies in the world is considered cognac from Armenia. Products are made from grape spirit.
The history of cognac from Yerevan begins in 1887, from the moment the enterprise for the production of the drink was opened by the merchant Nerses Tairyants. ATIn 1898, the plant was bought out by a Russian entrepreneur, the owner of the Shustov and Sons partnership, Nikolai Shustov.
After 100 years, the company was privatized and became part of the French company Pernod Ricard for the production of alcoholic beverages. Now YBC (Yerevan Brandy Factory) produces ten brands of cognacs of various aging periods.
Interesting fact: the company has a stock of exclusive brands of the drink, which are bottled by special order. The oldest is considered "Noah's Ark", which has an exposure of more than 50 years. British President Winston Churchill's favorite drink was Dvin cognac, produced at the Yerevan factory.
One of the most popular alcoholic souvenirs among tourists and guests of the city is Yerevan cognac, made from certain grape varieties that grow on the territory of Armenia.
Yerevan has been produced at the Noy brandy factory since 1957. At international exhibitions, the drink was awarded three gold medals.
Wine products of Armenia
Travel lovers often buy wine as a souvenir of their stay in this sunny country, given the fact that Armenia is considered the place where world winemaking began.
There is a myth that says that the righteous Noah, saved by God from the Flood, planted a grape stalk in the Ararat Valley (the territory of the Armenian Highlands).
After the grapes ripened, he made wine from the grapes. Since that time, winemaking has become one of the symbolsArmenia. Wine drinks made in Armenia, due to natural climatic conditions, have a large percentage of sugar and alcohol, and therefore are considered unique in their quality and taste.
In recent years, pomegranate wine has become very popular on the international market. For its manufacture, pomegranate juice is used. The pride of Armenian winemakers is the red wine "Nerkarat" and "Areni". These drinks are most often purchased by tourists as souvenirs from Yerevan.
Guests of the city can buy a wine souvenir in specialized stores, as well as during an excursion to the YBC or to the Areni winery, where wine souvenir shops are located.
What to bring from Yerevan to father or father-in-law? Sellers who want to buy a wine souvenir offer to buy a traditional vessel (horn) that is filled with wine.
Souvenirs made from wood
Wonderful gifts brought from Armenia will be products made by Yerevan wood carvers. The national reed wooden instrument of this country is called the duduk, which is considered the oldest in the territory of Transcaucasia.
Over the centuries (the age of the duduk is about a thousand years), masters have tried several types of wood. The most suitable material turned out to be a plant with a solid trunk - an apricot tree.
The instrument is a form of Russian pipe with eight holes for creating a melody, which is formed by the vibration of two thin plates under the air current.
Chess and backgammon made of wood -great gift for a friend
Tourists at Vernissage often buy chess and backgammon (a kind of board game) as a gift from Yerevan. They are made exclusively from expensive wood. Chess was invented 1.5 thousand years ago in India. They were considered at that time the royal game. The word "chess" comes from a combination of two words: shah - king, and checkmate - dead.
Now these two games are the most popular among the Armenian population. In souvenir shops or at Vernissage, you can also buy plates, vases, figurines made by craftsmen from wood and decorated with national patterns.
Paintings by local artists
Armenian artists were famous for their church painting. Modern masters of fine arts create paintings of different directions and exhibit their works in the city squares and on the shelves of the Vernissage, where guests of this country can purchase any painting for sale as a souvenir.
Armenian spices
Flavor additives for cooked dishes (spices) are an essential ingredient in the national cuisine of the Armenian people. Historians have established that spices were first mentioned in the Holy Scriptures 2000 years ago.
The Bible tells about trade relations with Egypt of Eastern countries. They supplied various aromatic resins and spices through Armenia. Modern national cuisine cannot be imagined without various spices that give the dish a special flavor.taste.
In Armenia, spices are called “the magic mixture”. The main component of all spices are the seeds of an annual plant from the legume family - shamballa.
To prepare a variety of aromatic spices, more than three hundred species of wild herbs are used in mountainous areas. You can buy souvenir finished products (or individual components) at the covered city market, which is located in the central part of the city.
Armenian sweets
Armenian cuisine is considered one of the oldest in Europe. A special place is occupied by the preparation of sweets, which many tourists love very much. Thinking about what to bring from Yerevan, it is worth remembering these delicacies.
Confectionery products made with ghee and various spices add a special taste. They are very popular with tourists.
Gata soft pie occupies a special place in the national Armenian cuisine. The bride bakes this national sweet, brings it to the groom's house and treats the girls, who must dress the hero of the occasion for the wedding ceremony.
An Armenian sweet made from shelled nuts strung on a string, then dipped in hot syrup and dried in the sun, is called sujuk. This type of sweet is often purchased by tourists as a tasty Armenian souvenir. And what else to bring from Yerevan? In addition to sujuk, guests of the country buy alani (dried peach stuffed with crushed nuts). Many confectioners use dried apricots instead of peach (apricot withoutbones).
Baklava from Yerevan
Armenian baklava (translated from the ancient Mongolian language - “to wrap”) is considered, according to confectioners, the most popular souvenir confectionery.
This delicacy consists of several thin cakes, between which there is a mixture of nuts, honey, sugar and whipped proteins. An interesting historical fact is that this delicacy was made in the 15th century.
The personal chef of the Ottoman Sultan Fatih made the first baklava in 1453. The monarch liked the sweetness, and he instructed to prepare it for every high society reception. Since then, baklava has been served at the festive table in the cities of the Republic of Transcaucasia.
Forbidden souvenirs that cannot be taken out of the country
Thinking about what to bring from Yerevan, remember the forbidden things. According to the existing legislation, it is impossible to export antiques, ancient manuscripts, ancient jewelry, as well as objects of historical value from the Republic of Armenia. This list does not include the souvenirs described in the article.
