Cascade First Terrace and Khachkar Collection

Why is it significant?

You have climbed to the first terrace of the monumental Cascade complex, an extraordinary architectural staircase of pale cream-colored travertine ascending the Kanaker hillside.

Key Facts

Open the walk

You have climbed to the first terrace of the monumental Cascade complex, an extraordinary architectural staircase of pale cream-colored travertine ascending the Kanaker hillside. Conceived as a grand realization of Tamanyan's master plan by chief architect Jim Torosyan alongside Sargis Gurzadyan and Aslan Mkhitaryan, construction commenced in 1980. The completed structure spans one hundred and eighteen meters in total vertical height from base to summit, traversed by five hundred and seventy-two stone steps.

Displayed across this first terrace is a permanent open-air exhibition of traditional Armenian khachkars—cross-stones inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Here you can admire authentic medieval khachkars and masterly replicas dating from the tenth to fourteenth centuries, originating from historic monasteries such as Noratus, Geghard, and Sanahin. In the center of each slab blooms a foliated cross with sprouting grapevines and pomegranate shoots, celebrating eternal life over death with lacelike precision.

To the right of the terrace lies the entrance to the subterranean galleries of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Cut deep into the mountain slope is a three-hundred-meter inclined escalator tunnel that whisks visitors effortlessly between terraces. Along the escalator ride are state-of-the-art exhibition halls showcasing contemporary studio glass sculptures by Czech masters Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová, whose works glow with luminous color under dramatic lighting.

From the parapet of this first level, look back down the length of Tamanyan Street toward the Opera Theatre's rotunda. The roar of downtown traffic fades into the background, replaced by the refreshing splash of fountain sprays. The warm texture of the travertine glows golden in the sunlight, while the gentle murmur of water flowing into the basins creates an atmosphere of spiritual serenity, bridging ancient stonecarving traditions with modern public architecture. Each historic khachkar preserves centuries of sacred Armenian ornamental heritage etched into eternal volcanic stone.

Ascend the central staircase to the second terrace to experience the modernist water cascades.