Vernissage Market

The Vernissage is the right place to get little taste of Armenia and a special spot to witness the fusion between national traditions and modern taste. It offers various kinds of nice national souvinirs, jewelry and other traditional items.

Currently, ome can come across with almost anything in this weekend-open market. Besides art works, there are also carpets, old collections of coins and medallions, books, jewelry, musical instruments and CDs, ceramics, tools, carved wood, embroidery, lace, posters, food, parts for electronics and even pets. It is open only on the weekends, except for the part at the end of the Vernissage venue where it connects with Khanjian Street.

Initially this word denoted the inauguration of a modern exhibition. However, the Vernissage has certainly been one of the most essential elements of Yerevan's cultural life.

It was founded in the 1980s by Armenian artists who displayed their works of art in the square before the Union of Armenian Artists. In the beginning, mostly art students displayed their work in a small park next to the Komitas Monument, before Yerevan's Conservatory. Later, the Vernissage moved to the Saryan Monument, that is situated inside another small park facing the Main Hall of the Armenian Philarmonic. Here, it became the focal site of art exhibition in Yerevan. The market gradually enlarged, including the area between Nalbandian and Khandjian streets.

The Paintings' part of Vernissage is located near the Saryan statue at French Square, while the main market starts by the Republic Square metro station and goes up to Khanjian Street.