Cascade Second Terrace and Modernist Water Cascades
Why is it significant?
You have ascended to the second terrace of the Cascade, where architectural stonework and flowing water merge into an exhilarating sensory experience. An intricate hydraulic system feeds multi-jet fountains that cascade over stepped travertine basins into wide reflecting pools.
Key Facts
| Place | Cascade Second Terrace and Modernist Water Cascades |
|---|---|
| Address | Cascade Complex, Level 2, Yerevan, Armenia |
| Geo Coordinates | 40.19350, 44.51680 |
| Part of Walk | Cascade Heights, Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, and Mother Armenia |
| Generated | Generated |
You have ascended to the second terrace of the Cascade, where architectural stonework and flowing water merge into an exhilarating sensory experience. An intricate hydraulic system feeds multi-jet fountains that cascade over stepped travertine basins into wide reflecting pools. The rhythmic rush of falling water creates a natural acoustic dome that insulates the terrace from the urban bustle below, while a refreshing mountain breeze carries cooling mist across the stone platforms.
Observe the striking geometric bas-reliefs carved across the vertical travertine walls of the terrace. The architects drew inspiration from ancient Urartian cuneiform motifs and medieval Armenian illuminated manuscript designs. Water courses down tiered basalt chutes, deliberately echoing the alpine streams of the Hrazdan River and springs descending from Mount Aragats into the Ararat valley. The travertine blocks are arranged in alternating honed and rusticated textures that catch the sunlight.
Each terrace of the Cascade functions as an independent open-air salon with its own artistic character. This level exhibits avant-garde metal and stone sculptures from the Cafesjian collection, providing an intriguing counterpoint to the classical proportions of the balustrades. In the heat of midsummer afternoons, the airborne water droplets provide welcome respite for travelers making the climb to the northern heights.
From this second level, the cityscape below gains deeper perspective: the clock tower of Republic Square rises clearly above the green tree canopy, while the blue peaks of the Geghama mountain range emerge to the east. The stepped fountains and sweeping travertine terraces demonstrate how Soviet-era Armenian architects skillfully combined monumental public engineering with playful hydraulic artistry, creating an unforgettable sensory sanctuary where cool spray refreshes hikers ascending the sunny slope. Stone resting alcoves along the stairs offer shady retreats bathed in the soothing sound of tumbling mountain water.
Continue your climb up the wide central staircase to the third terrace and its gallery of solar bas-reliefs.