Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, is a very ancient place. Caves in the walls of the Hrazdan River gorge show traces of Stone Age habitation. The Urartians built the citadel of Erebuni, on the hill of that name in southeast Yerevan. The citadel itself was founded by Argishti I son of Menua, King of Urartu in the year 782 B.C.
Since the early Soviet era, the city was developed according to the prominent Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian's design. He successfully incorporated both national traditions and world urban construction elements. Today's Yerevan is a big and beautiful city.