Erebuni Fortress

Yerevan, Armenia, Armenia

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Erebuni Fortress is an ancient Urartian fortress located on Arin Berd hill in what is now Yerevan, Armenia.

It was built in 782 BC by King Argishti I as a military stronghold to defend the northern borders of the Urartu kingdom and served as a major political, cultural, and religious center. The fortress is laid out in a triangular plan with three rows of massive walls originally rising 10 to 12 meters high. Within the citadel, there was a grand palace richly decorated with colorful frescoes, a temple dedicated to the god Haldi, living quarters, and storerooms.

The fortress was constructed from basalt, tuff, wood, and adobe, and featured artistic wall paintings depicting both religious and secular scenes. Erebuni is considered the foundation of modern Yerevan, with the city’s name deriving from the fortress. The site includes an archaeological museum and offers panoramic views of the city and Mount Ararat.

Its well-preserved ruins provide insight into one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, symbolizing a rich cultural heritage dating back almost 2800 years.​