Lost Yerevan: photos
Yerevan, which doesn’t exist anymore; during recent years Yerevan has irreversibly lost its features. Under the name of eminent domain a range of historic-cultural buildings and favorite leisure places of Yerevan residents have been demolished and replaced by “elite” buildings. There are buildings, which haven’t been replaced by new ones until today, for example, Youth Palace.
The well-known “krtsats kukuruz”(half eaten corn cob), which was built in 1976, was demolished still in 2006, and hasn’t been replaced by any new building until now.
Hotel “Sevan” built in Yerevan Shahumyan Square still in the 1930s was demolished in 2004. At present the new building of government rises in that territory.
The former building of Language Institute after Hrachya Acharyan, which was built in 1938, was given to Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2002 by the government decision. The demolition of the building started in 2007, and already in 2015 the Patriarchal residence building and newly-built St. Anna Church are located in this territory.
Another symbol of Yerevan- closed market, which is included in the list of the historic-cultural monuments, was demolished in 2012 and was rebuilt as a supermarket.
The Afrikyan club building was demolished in 2014, which is included in the list of the historic and cultural immovable monuments subjected to transfer. This building was so old, that the concrete date of its construction wasn’t known. It dates back to the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. It isn’t known what will be built in the territory of this building.
Since 2012 Yerevan hasn’t had circus. In 2012 the building of the circus was blown up for reconstruction, but the reconstruction activities have been postponed.
Some days ago “the last Mohican” on Aram Street- the red tuff building, was demolished. It turns out that the building, which was demolished at night, hindered the free movement of citizens. Instead of the 150-year-old building, now Yerevan residents will have broad sidewalk, as well as new and high-rise hotel.
The old building of “Zvartnots” airport, which isn’t a historic-cultural monument but is much beloved by Yerevan residents, also faces the danger of demolition. Though the owner promised not to demolish the old tower and inner circle, the citizens aren’t sure that the whole building won’t be demolished.
And it isn’t the only building to be demolished in the future. “Dolmama”, one of the favorite restaurants of Diaspora Armenians and foreign tourists, may face the same fate together with other buildings of the 19th century, which have been recognized an eminent domain.
If it continues, we will be able to see Yerevan only in photos.
