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No visit to Yerevan, or Armenia, would be complete without visiting the famous Cascade Steps (also known as the Cafesjian Center for the Arts). This open-air museum is the heart of the capital, and where many people go to get their heart pumping! Yes, we’re talking as much about Armenia’s lovers’ favorite meeting spot, as the people climbing the 572 steps!

The Cascade monument has so much more to offer than what meets the eye. Let’s take a step back and uncover the layers of this beautiful place. 

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The history of Cascade, a Yerevan landmark

The Cascade complex was originally conceived by the architect Alexander Tamanyan (1878–1936). It’s no surprise why you see his prominent statue at the foot of Cascade. Tamanyan’s dream was to connect the northern (historically residential) and central (cultural) parts of the city. He wanted to create a vast green area with waterfalls and gardens, cascading down one of the city’s highest promontories. 

Unfortunately, the plan remained largely forgotten until the late 1970s, when it was revived by Yerevan’s Chief Architect, Jim Torosyan. His concept of Cascade incorporated some of Tamanyan’s original plan, but it also included some of his own new ideas like a monumental exterior stairway, a long indoor shaft containing a series of escalators, and an intricate web of halls, courtyards, and outdoor gardens. His dream was to house works of art that showcased Armenia’s rich history and cultural heritage.

It’s nice to see that a lot of his wishes actually did come true in the final result. However, getting there was no easy task, as nothing of this grandeur ever is.

During the Soviet 1980’s, they began the construction of Torosyan’s design of the Cascade Complex. However, they abandoned the project after the devastating Armenian earthquake of 1988 and the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. That’s when Armenia’s darker period started.

The years following Armenia’s independence were hard. Armenia entered a tough period of economic hardship and governmental corruption, the effects of which can still be felt today. So Cascade, and the beautiful dream of what could have been, were once again put on hold, if not completely forgotten.

However, in the early 2000s, Mr. Cafesjian started working with the City of Yerevan and the government of Armenia, to pick the project back up. Work started again in 2002, and over the next seven years, virtually every aspect of the monument was renovated, and much of it completely reconstituted into what it is today.

The Cascade steps are so much more than just an iconic Yerevan landmark today. It is home to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, one of the most prominent museums in Yerevan, especially considering most of the art is free to discover.

What is the Cascade complex in Yerevan?

The Cascade complex is not just a huge stairway. It actually refers to the whole district, or structure, including the “patio”, that lies behind Yerevan’s chief architect Alexander Tamanian’s statue. It also contains the interior parts, with the escalators, halls, cafés, and Cafesjian Center for the Arts museum exhibitions. 

As we saw, this complex would not be what it is today without the investments and connections of the Armenian-American businessman and art collector Gerard Cafesjian. Thanks to him, Cascade has become a valuable open-air and free-access modern art museum. It’s where many locals and tourists come to admire the works of prominent international artists, like Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick, Barry Flanagan, Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova, Paul Cox, and many others. 

A little more about the Cafesjian Center for the Arts

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts opened its doors in 2009. Its mission is to bring the best of contemporary art to Armenia and present the best of Armenian culture to the world.

Its vision comes from its founder, Gerard L. Cafesjian. We already mentioned that The Cafesjian Center for the Arts offers a ton of exhibitions. What we didn’t mention is that the majority of them come from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection of contemporary art.

On top of this, there are plenty of lectures, films, concerts, and multiple educational programs for adults and children that are all hosted at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Over one million people have visited the Center annually since its opening.

How Cascade is structured

Each story, or floor, of the outside staircase, exposes distinctive pieces of art and conveys a unique mood. On every “level”, there is also an inside hall, with different contemporary works of art and automatic escalators. 

Everything there is free to visit and enjoy, from the museum halls, to the modern art museum store, the temporary exhibitions and the Swarovski Crystal Palace Museum.

The best part about Cascade, as if there’s not enough to love about it already, is the amazing view you get there. Regardless of what level you’re on (though we do recommend you make it all the way to the top), you can enjoy the Yerevan skyline. And, if you go on a clear day, you’ll be graced with the presence of Mount Ararat standing tall behind Yerevan’s iconic pink buildings.

And that’s not all. From the top, you can admire some of Yerevan’s best attractions. Propped right in front of you is the famous Opera. On the right side, you can notice the distinctive, futuristic-looking building of Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. That’s usually where the sun sets, so it looks even cooler. On clear days, you can also spot the high stele from the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in that same direction. And far off in the distance, you might even find the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in the central part of the city. It’s the largest church in Armenia, so it is pretty hard to miss. 

What Yerevan attractions are near Cascade?

If you’re heading to this part of the city, you may want to combine visiting the Cascade with other interesting Yerevan attractions nearby. In fact, Cascade is located right in front of Yerevan’s famous Opera. This is the place to go when you want to enjoy the orchestra, ballet, or opera. There is also a ton of cafes at the Opera, but also, at the foot of Cascade for you to enjoy. Grab a cup, sit on a bench, and enjoy people-watching for hours!

Once you’re at the top of the Cascade, keep climbing, past the Memorial of the 50th anniversary of Soviet Armenia. From there, you can get to Victory Park with the famous Mother Armenia statue.

You can also go, using the small footbridge on the right (when you’re looking at the Cascade) via Antarain Street to the manuscripts museum of Matenadaran. It’s a short 10-minute walk from there. The museum is quite fascinating, holding some of the oldest manuscripts, and the great history of the Armenian language! 

If you choose to continue in the other direction, and go past the National Assembly on Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, you will get to the beautiful Lovers’ Park. It’s one of the most pleasant parks in Yerevan.

Cascade opening hours & location

Cascade is located not too far from the Opera. It’s situated on Tamanyan Street (no surprise there). The Cascade gardens start on Moskovyan Street, but extend well past Isahakyan street all the way to Saralanj street (well, including the Memorial of the 50th anniversary)

You can visit the outdoor part of the Cascade complex and the park at any time. They’re open 24/7. And with all the cafés and bars around the Cascade complex, there’s always someone around!

If you plan on using the indoor escalators, they’re open and functioning every day from 8 AM to 8 PM. As for checking out the interior museums of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, the exhibition galleries, the museum store, and the visitor’s center, they’re open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 10 AM and 8 PM.

Quick statistics about Yerevan’s Cascade

• There are 572 steps at the Cascade Complex.
• The width of Cascade is 50 m or 164 feet.
• Cascade’s incline is 15 degrees.
• The distance from the bottom to the top of the Cascade is 302 m or 991 feet.
• The distance from the bottom to the top of the Monument Terrace is 450 m or 1476 feet.
• Its official website

There you have it! Everything you need to know about Yerevan’s most iconic landmark – The famous Cascade Complex! No matter when you go, day or night, summer or winter, it’s an awesome place to hang out, and especially, to people-watch!

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