The main square of Armenia is known in the world for the architecture of its buildings, built of pink tuff. However, few people know that a whole city of the 17th century is hidden under it. But now it is covered with cement and asphalt …
In 2003, during the reconstruction of the Republic Square, an underground city was discovered, stretching under the streets of Abovyan, Amiryan, the square, and reaching the old district of Kond. However, in the same year it was covered with cement and asphalt.
“We found buildings under the square, repeating the architecture of the ancient Armenian state of Urartu. As a result of the study, it was revealed that their upper floors were destroyed due to the earthquake of the 17th century,”said the archaeologist, Ph. D. Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of NAS RA Phrina Babayan.
According to her, rooms about 4.5 meters high were found, connected to each other by internal arches or doors. The foundations of the buildings were so strong that after the earthquake the owners of these houses continued to live on the preserved floors.
“I found three rooms connected to each other by arches that had a magnificent paved floor. However, we were only given 12 days to dig,”Babayan said. She noted that it was impossible to fully explore the area in such a short time. But the local authorities wanted to quickly finish the repair work on the main square of the capital. “No one then liked that an archaeological site was being opened there, for everyone it was a burden, and we had artificially created difficulties in the process of work,” Babayan said.
This is how the remnants of basements with vaulted arched ceilings in a combination of black and red tuff disappeared into oblivion. “We have done everything we can. However, valuable antiquities were asphalted so that they could be excavated by subsequent generations one day,”the archaeologist noted.
According to her, they were told that the excavation could continue only if they find a sponsor.
They also rejected a plan proposed by archaeologists to build an entrance to the hidden underground city. A new wave of discontent arose after the sale of the Foreign Ministry building located on the square. The new owner intended to demolish the underground structures in order to build a parking lot there. The destruction of historical monuments was prevented with the help of protests from the local population.
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“When we raised the issue that it is impossible to build a parking lot there, they began to insult us. By the way, it was impossible to build houses next to each other on Severny Prospekt because of the seismic activity of this zone,”she said. Babayan stressed that she was already tired of repeating the same thing, constantly bumping into the walls of misunderstanding.
Tired of soulless buildings are local residents who celebrate the 2798th anniversary of Yerevan without the Old City, where there were masonry roads, tram lines and luxurious gardens, as well as old houses of great architectural value.