Cascade Yerevan is a monumental stairway and arts complex in the city, with outdoor terraces, gardens, fountains and sculptures. You can climb its steps for city views, then visit the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, whose galleries and sculpture garden make the complex more than a viewpoint.
- Scale: 572 steps, with 450 m from the base to the upper platform.
- Art: The complex includes the Cafesjian Center for the Arts and the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden.
- Gallery access: Exhibition Galleries and the Visitor Center are open Friday through Sunday, 10:00–20:00.
- Admission: Entry to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts is free.
Understanding the Cascade complex
The Cascade is both a large architectural stairway and a collection of outdoor and indoor art spaces in central Yerevan. Its broad structure is 50 m wide and rises at a 15° incline, linking landscaped terraces with the Cafesjian Center for the Arts.
Construction began in the 1980s, then stopped after the 1988 Armenian earthquake and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Cafesjian Museum Foundation began revitalizing the complex in 2002 in collaboration with the City of Yerevan and the Armenian government. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts opened on November 8, 2009.
Take a moment to look across the terraces before heading up: fountains and sculptures are part of the outdoor setting, while the galleries add a separate art visit. The Cafesjian Sculpture Garden displays work by Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick, Jaume Plensa, Barry Flanagan and other artists.
Walking the stairs and finding viewpoints
The stairway has 572 steps, and the route from its base to the upper platform covers 450 m. The terraces break up the climb and offer places to pause, with views across Yerevan from higher levels.
You can take the stairs to experience the structure directly, or use the Escalator Gallery, which runs through the complex. Combining the climb with time in the outdoor garden gives you two different ways to take in the Cascade before visiting the indoor galleries.
The upper platform is the natural endpoint for a walk up the stairway. If you plan to see the galleries too, check their opening pattern before choosing when to start; the Exhibition Galleries and Visitor Center have a narrower schedule than the outdoor garden.
Art spaces and visitor access
- Hours
- from April through October, it opens Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 to 18:0
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts has a sculpture garden, an Escalator Gallery and Exhibition Galleries, with free admission to the Center.
Inside the Khanjyan Gallery, Grigor Khanjyan’s triptych murals are titled “The Creation of the Armenian Alphabet,” “The Battle of Vardanank” and “The Rebirth of Armenia.” If these works are part of your plan, allow time for both the gallery and the outdoor sculptures.
The Center closes on state holidays and closes at 19:00 on the day before each state holiday. Its Museum Store has seasonal hours: from April through October, it opens Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Friday through Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00; from November through March, it opens Friday through Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00.
How do you get from Nork Residence to Cascade?
Cascade is a city-centre outing from Hotel Nork Residence, with the drive from the hotel to Yerevan city centre taking about 22 minutes. The hotel is at 56/1 Moldovakan Street; plan the final approach around your chosen transport and the entrance you want to use.
If you are navigating the city by bus or other public transport, the Yerevan public transport guide covers getting around from Nork.
Practical notes for a visit
Plan around the specific spaces you want to see: the garden is always open, but the indoor galleries and Visitor Center operate on set days and hours. Check the official site before you go, especially around state holidays or if you intend to visit the Museum Store.
Respect the Center’s rules while viewing the art: do not touch or climb on artworks or pedestals, enter green areas, or use alcohol on the premises. Professional photography and video require contacting the Center’s administration; commercial or political photography and video are prohibited.
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is at 10 Tamanyan Street, Yerevan, Armenia. You can call its Visitor Center at +374 10 56 72 62 with questions about a visit.
FAQs
How many steps does Cascade Yerevan have?
The Cascade has 572 steps. The distance from its base to the upper platform is 450 m.
Do you need a ticket for the Cafesjian Center for the Arts?
Admission to the Center is free. Its Exhibition Galleries and Visitor Center are open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00.
Is the Cascade Sculpture Garden open every day?
open 24 hours.
What should you avoid doing at the Cascade art spaces?
Do not touch or climb on artworks or pedestals, enter green areas, or use alcohol on the premises. Professional photography and video require prior contact with the Center’s administration.