In 782 BC one of the most powerful kings of the Urartian kingdom of Van, Argishti І built Erebuni city-fortress on the hill Arin-Berd. Three millenniums later next to the fortress of Erebuni a cultural stronghold – Erebuni archeological reserve museum was created which is one of the important centers of Urartian studies. Erebuni museum was established in 1968 based on the various archeological remains found around three historical sites of Erevan; Arin-Berd, Karmir Blur (Teishebaini) and Shengavit.
The building of the museum, the authors of which are architects Shmavon Azatian, Baghdasar Arzoumanian and sculptor Ara Harutiunian, reminds the structural composition of Urartian palaces that represents external hard walls and habitable house with flat roof with garret-window aggregated around the inner yard. The visitors of the museum have unique opportunity to get acquainted with the rich material excavated from the historical places of Armenia which refers to different periods: pre-Urartian, Urartian, Akemenyan, Hellenistic and early Armenian. More than 11000 archeological objects are united in 128 collections and are distinguished for great variety. The permanent exhibition consists of 649 archeological objects. The exhibition starts at the highreliefs of Urartian chief God Khaldi and God of war Teishebaini and the model of Erebuni fortress made of corks which was awarded in Louvre and Montreal.
This exhibition presents a rich material referring to the history, developed economy and art of Urartu. Among the excavated materials there are some objects of special interest- the seven cuneiforms of the found 23 ones. One can see Urartian bronze shields, helmets, quivers, arrows, various working tools: sickle, shovel, jugs, clay vessels and many other things, that have great importance for illustrating the relations of Urartu with different civilizations, especially Asian, Mediterranean, Assyrian. This archeological material let us have an idea about developed civilization and rich culture of Armenian Highland.
Each year thousands of tourist visit Erebuni museum and a number of events are planned here on the international day of Museums. By the museum there is a souvenirs’ shop where one can acquire the duplicates of the objects exhibited in the museum, which are wonderful samples of souvenirs.