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Before Yerevan became the capital of modern Armenia, the Kingdom of Greater Armenia had a rich history of multiple capitals—12 in total, excluding other Armenian regions like Cilicia, Sophene, and Lesser Armenia. These historic capitals reflect the political, cultural, and spiritual evolution of Armenian statehood.
Van (Tushpa) was the ancient capital of Urartu, located near Lake Van. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, once called Yervandavan and Shamiramakert.
Armavir, founded by the Yervanduni dynasty, became the capital in 331 BC. Though later abandoned, a new town by the same name was established in 1848.
Yervandashat was founded in 220 BC near the junction of the Akhuryan and Araks Rivers, and was destroyed in the 4th century by the Persian king Shapuh II.
Artashat, chosen by Hannibal and founded in 189 BC, was a major cultural and political center under King Tigran the Great and Artavazd II.
Tigranakert, built by Tigran the Great in the 1st century BC, served as a royal city closer to the empire’s center, located in the Aghdznik province.
Vagharshapat (modern-day Etchmiadzin) became the capital under King Vagharsh I. It later became—and remains—the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Dvin, near Artashat, was a flourishing trade and craft hub until its destruction by invasions in the 13th century.
Bagharan, on the Akhuryan River, was the capital under the Bagratuni dynasty when Armenia regained independence in 885 AD.
Shirakavan (also called Yerazgavors) became the capital under Smbat I in 892 and remained so during the reign of Ashot II the Iron.
Kars, capital of the Vanand nobility, changed hands many times through the centuries, from Seljuks to Russians, and is now in modern-day Turkey.
Ani, the “City of 1,001 Churches,” became a thriving capital in the 10th century. Known for its majestic architecture and trade, it’s now an archaeological site near the Turkish border.
Each of these capitals played a key role in shaping Armenian identity and preserving Armenian culture, language, and Christian heritage through centuries of challenge and change.
