The present capital of Armenia, Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded nearly 2800 years ago in the time of ancient Babylon. Sadly, little remains to remind the visitor of the city’s ancient heritage. Most of the old town was demolished in the 1930s, ostensibly to upgrade standards of public health but, according to locals, more crucially with a view to facilitating the policing of the city. Yerevan was rebuilt using the attractive pinkish-brown volcanic tufa stone seen throughout the republic, in so-called ’Armenian national style’ architecture – solid, sometimes imposing and essentially Soviet in character. Mount Ararat lies across the border in Turkey, although it is claimed as part of the territory of greater Armenia, and is where Noah’s Ark is said to have settled after the Flood. Yerevan’s National Gallery (founded 1919) includes a section tracing the development of Armenian art to the present day. The history section features models and artifacts informing visitors about life in Armenia and the pre-Armenian state of Urartu. The Yerevan library of ancient manuscripts (Materadaran) houses over 13,000 texts, many beautifully illuminated and some dating as far back as the ninth century. The contents of the library testify to Armenia’s long history of culture and education. The Vernisaj flea market, which takes place at weekends, is very popular with tourists. In the year AD 301, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (with the exception of the now vanished kingdom of King Abgar of Edessa). Many of the most interesting sights in the republic are associated with the heritage of the Armenian apostolic church. Nearby sites of interest include the fortress of Erebuni (an archaeological site studded with over 200 ancient rock engravings [petroglyphs] and surrounded by a pristine lake) and Ughtasar (3km above sea level on a mountainous plateau in the mesmerizing region of Syunik, an ancient fortress not to be missed).