Erebuni Fortress

source: dic.academic.ru

Along with the other buildings of the ancient Armenian architecture, the fortress of Erebuni of particular interest is, which is located in south-eastern part of the city of Yerevan, on the hill of Arin Berd. It was built in 782 BC by Urartu king - Argishti I. Until the early twenty century about the location of the fortress was almost nothing known. Only in 1950, during one of the excavations was discovered a cuneiform of Argishti. With the help of deciphering it became known that the inscription referred to the construction of the city-fortress of Erebuni. It was also discovered from cuneiform, that in the past Yerevan was called Erebuni, and consequently renamed Irpuni, Erivuni, Erivan. Luxurious and beautiful frescoes on religious and secular themes hunting, farm work are the evidence of the rich interior decoration of the palace. The walls of temples were decorated with murals with scenes of sacrifice and the procession of the gods. Frescoes are unique pieces of art of Urartu. Objects found during the excavations are exhibited in the museum, built at the foot of the hill.