The Kaskad is a monumental white limestone staircase that climbs along a hillside in central Yerevan, connecting the Kentron district to Victory Park. Built from the 1970s onward and still undergoing partial completion, it houses the Cafesjian Center for Art, a world-class modern and contemporary art collection. From its summit, the view of the city and, on clear days, Mount Ararat is breathtaking.

Quick practical information

• External access (staircase and gardens): free, open continuously.
• Cafesjian Center for Art (interior galleries): paid admission; check current rates on-site or with your local travel provider.
• Recommended duration: 1.5 to 2 hours for the ascent, gardens and a quick gallery visit.
• Accessible facilities: interior escalators allow entry without climbing the external stairs (check their operation during your visit).
• Dress code: no restrictions.

What to see

The structure unfolds across multiple levels in terraced sections. The exterior gardens feature monumental sculptures by Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick and Jaume Plensa, set among fountains and flower beds. Inside, the Cafesjian Center galleries showcase paintings, installations and glass artworks in luminous spaces carved into the hillside.

History and context

The project was launched in 1971 under architect Jim Torosyan, with the idea of visually linking the city center to the Mother Armenia statue at the summit. The fall of the Soviet Union halted construction; Armenian-American patron Gerard Cafesjian funded the resumption and gallery development in the 2000s. The complex remains symbolically unfinished in its upper section, reflecting the turbulence of contemporary Armenian history.

Highlights of the visit

The ascent through the terraces

Each level offers a different setting: fountains flowing in summer, unexpected sculptures at every turn, and the city gradually unfolding beneath your feet. The climb on foot is far richer than the interior escalator route.

Botero's sculptures

Fernando Botero's round, voluminous bronze pieces are among Yerevan's most photographed artworks. Their contrast with Armenian white limestone is particularly striking.

The panorama from the summit

On clear days—especially early morning or in autumn—Mount Ararat appears beyond the Ararat plain, in Turkish territory. This panorama is one of the most emotionally charged views for Armenians.

The Cafesjian galleries

Glass art, a specialty of the collection, deserves particular attention. Rotating exhibitions regularly refresh the offerings; inquire about the current program.

Photography tips

The golden morning light illuminates the white façade without glare. In late afternoon, Botero sculptures cast expressive shadows on the limestone. For Mount Ararat, favor autumn or winter mornings when the air is clearest. From the summit, frame wide to include the Mother Armenia statue and the city below.

Location and access

The Kaskad is located in the Kentron district, a few minutes' walk from Republic Square. The main entrance is on Tamanyan Street. The metro (Yeritasardakan station) provides easy access from other neighborhoods. The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility via interior escalators, subject to their operation.

Nearby: Republic Square and the Museum of the History of Arménie.

In the surrounding area

• Republic Square — Yerevan's monumental heart, with musical fountains in the evening.
• Museum of the History of Arménie — Archaeological and ethnographic collections spanning several millennia.
• Yerevan Opera House — An elegant Soviet-era building, minutes from the Kaskad.
• Abovyan Street — A lively hub for cafés, galleries and Armenian design boutiques.