Pre-Soviet Yerevan through the lens of Gegham Tarverdyants

By Alexander Pracht

Although the history of Armenian photography dates back to the 1850s, it was primarily centered in Western Armenia, Georgia, and Palestine where renowned Armenian photography studios flourished. Among them were the famous Abdullahyan brothers in Constantinople, who became official photographers to the Ottoman Sultan, and the photography school established by Yessai Garabedian at the Saint James Monastery in Jerusalem.

Gegham Tarverdyants. This photograph is sourced from Armenian Photographers by Vahan Kochar.

In Eastern Armenia, the first photo studios appeared in the 1870s, and they primarily focused on commissioned portrait photography. As a result, while there are many surviving photographs of pre-Bolshevik Armenia, they remain relatively scarce compared to those from Western Armenian centers

One of the first photographers to establish a studio in Yerevan was Gegham (Kegham) Tarverdyants, also known as Tarverdyan. His work presents a visual record of Yerevan in the early 1900s, showcasing the city’s dramatic transformation under Soviet rule, which grew from a provincial town of 30,000 residents into a bustling capital with a population exceeding one million.

His photographs provide a rare glimpse into a lost era. These are some of his most notable images of Yerevan, presented alongside photographs taken in the same locations in 2025.

A gathering at the home of Yerevan’s mayor, Isahak Melik-Aghamalyan, marking the opening of the city library. Photographed by Tarverdyants in 1902.

Not much is known about Tarverdyants’ life, but historical records indicate that he was born in Yerevan in 1860. He is said to have studied photography in Leipzig, Germany, before returning to his hometown to establish his own studio. Tarverdyants opened his photography atelier on Astafyan Street, now Abovyan Street, where he would go on to document the city and its people at the turn of the century.

Zoravor Surb Astvatsatsin Church (ca. 1910-15) – Yerevan’s second oldest surviving church, built in the late 17th century. Tarverdyants captured the church in the early 20th century.

In addition to commercial portraiture, Tarverdyants explored other photographic genres. Among his most significant works are the urban landscapes of Yerevan and images of historical monuments in the surrounding area, including some that have since been lost, such as the Sardar Palace.

The Sardar Palace, perched atop the hill, and the iconic Red Bridge. Built by the Persians around 1600, the palace was a prominent structure in Yerevan during the Safavid era. It was later demolished in the 20th century by the Soviet administration as the

The area next to the Sardar Palace, now adjacent to central Yerevan, is known as Noragyugh. Today, it is a mostly low-rise, old neighborhood with potential for significant investment and transformation. Before the arrival of Soviet rule, it was one of the most prominent areas in the city. The neighborhood is divided by the Hrazdan River, which was known as Zanga in those times. The Red Bridge spans the river, and until the mid-20th century, it was the only bridge connecting the two sides, making it a crucial transportation route. Tarverdyants captured this view of the bridge from the side of the Sardar Palace in the early 1900s.

This photograph, taken by Tarverdyants (ca. 1905-09), shows the iconic Red Bridge, built in the 17th century. The bridge fell into disrepair after World War II when the larger Victory Bridge was constructed about half a mile away.

Although it lay in ruins for decades, the Red Bridge is currently undergoing reconstruction and has largely been rebuilt.

Tarverdyants also captured Kond, the oldest surviving neighborhood in Yerevan. Situated atop a hill, Kond is known for its narrow, Safavid-era streets and centuries-old architecture. With its age and the mostly makeshift residential buildings, some of which are several hundred years old, it remains a popular attraction for tourists. Kond’s unique atmosphere stands in striking contrast to the surrounding modern quarters of the city.

Also known as the Abbas-Gulu Khan Mosque or Tapabashi Mosque, the Kond Mosque was built in 1687 as a Shia place of worship. The mosque, originally featuring a large and a small dome, lost its main dome in the 1960s. It was one of many mosques that existed

The remains of the 17th-century mosque, now repurposed. A personal residence and a café have been built within its historic walls.

This 1900s photograph by Tarverdyants captures a sweeping view of Yerevan from Kond. On the right is the old Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church, demolished in 1939. The church once stood on what is now Amiryan Street, where a school was later built in it

Tarverdyants’ talent was recognized internationally – he received his first gold medal in 1909 in Rotterdam and a second in 1910 in Rome at the World Industrial Photo Exhibition. The imprints of these gold medals can still be seen on the passepartout of his original photographs.

Captured by Tarverdyants is the Yerevan Teachers’ Seminary, a prestigious tuition-based educational institution that attracted students from across the South Caucasus.

The seminary closed down in 1918, and today, the historic building serves as part of Yerevan State University, continuing its legacy in education.

In his work, Tarverdyants was assisted by his wife, Elisabeth Ananyan, and later by his son, Hovhannes, who began working with him at age 17 and eventually took over the family business. In 1925, Hovhannes joined Armenfilm Studio as a photographer and went on to become a prominent figure in Soviet Armenian cinema.

The Hripsimian Women's Gymnasium, located on what is now Amiryan Street, was a prestigious educational institution exclusively for female students. It offered courses in Armenian, Russian, Persian, mathematics, geography, and handicraft, providing young wo

After the closure of the gymnasium in 1918, the building was briefly used by Armenia’s Ministry of Healthcare and Labor during the First Republic and later housed the Yerevan History Museum in the 1990s. Today, it serves as a private residence and has been

As Yerevan grew, so did its photography scene. The number of photography studios increased, but after the establishment of Soviet rule in 1921, they were gradually consolidated into a state-run photo facility for consumer services, in line with the centralized planning system of the time. A new generation of photographers emerged in the city, including many from the Armenian diaspora.

Captured by Tarverdyants, this 1900s view shows what is now Saryan Street, located near Kond at the edge of Yerevan’s city center.

Now a vibrant hub of Yerevan’s dining scene, Saryan Street is lined with upscale restaurants and bars. This exact location, once at street level, now sits higher due to the construction of an overpass.

Although Tarverdyants was born and died in Yerevan, his work was not limited to the capital. He also captured images of other cities of Armenia, including Gyumri and Vanadzor, showcasing the diverse landscapes and people of the region.

Known as Alexandropol at the time, this photograph captures a panoramic view of Gyumri in the early 20th century. Photo by Tarverdyants ca. 1906-1914.

The market square in Vanadzor, known as Karaklis at the time. Photo by Tarverdyants ca. 1906-1914.

A stunning view captured by Tarverdyants in the 1900s, featuring Karaklis with a steam engine train in the foreground.

Pre-Soviet Yerevan through the lens of Gegham Tarverdyants

Stories