HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
DALMA GARDENS
VII century BC, XIX-XX centuries AD
State index: 1.7.18
Founder: King of Van (Urartu) Rusa II
(685-645 BC)
Dalma Gardens are located in the western part of Yerevan, on the right bank of the Hrazdan River encompassing a vast area between the administrative districts of Kentron, Achapnyak, and Malatia-Sebastia.
Among the
orchards of Yerevan, Dalma is the most ancient. According to a cuneiform
inscription found in Zvartnots, the gardens were founded during the reign of
Rusa II, ruler of the Kingdom of Van (685-645 BC). The Dalma Canal, built in
764-735 BC, irrigated the gardens near the city of Teishebaini (Karmir Blur “Red
Hill”), including Dalma.
The name “Dalma”
originates from
the XIX century Persian word deolme, which signifies to rebuild the
destroyed, to clean the filled, and as an adjective, excavated, pierced,
underground, subterranean.
Due to
disruptions in the Middle Ages, the Dalma Canal ceased to function, the gardens
remained uncultivated. In 1815 Hossein Qoli Khan, the last Persian Sardar of
Yerevan, repaired the canal and integrated it into the general irrigation
system. It was at that time that new orchards were established, viticulture and
wine-making gained new momentum, and many sheds and cellars were built. The
Sardar’s pavilion, a notable landmark in Yerevan at that time, which Countess
Praskovia Uvarova praised, is also located here. Ghevond Alishan, Yervand
Shahaziz, European travelers Frédéric Dubois de Montperreux, Joseph Piton de
Tournefort, Tsar official Ivan Chopin, and others have provided information
about Yerevan gardens, particularly Dalma.
Half of
Dalma’s garden was occupied by various fruit trees, the other half was wide
alleys with poplars on both sides. 80 types of grapes, as well as dozens of
types of mulberries, apricot, and apple were cultivated on the slopes. Dalma
occupied a huge area in ancient times. Starting from Tsitsernakaberd hill, it
stretched to Zvartnots. XIX century had 790 hectares, of which 533 hectares was
the territory of the garden itself. Until the 2000s, it occupied an area of 530
hectares, of which about 290 hectares have been preserved. Dalma Gardens
represent an archaeological complex with a 2700-year history, rich in
biodiversity and ancient historical and cultural monuments. It is of
significant interest not only within the city of Yerevan but also for studying
the viticulture and winemaking culture in Armenia, as well as the architecture
of production structures (such as harvest and cellar facilities). One of the
garden’s valuable aspects is the preservation of mound viticulture, which has
allowed for the conservation of local grape varieties. Historical evidence
suggests that during certain periods of the year, particularly during the
horticultural season from spring to late autumn, Dalma was also inhabited, as
evidenced by the remains of residential dwellings near economic structures.
In 1931 since
then, Dalma Garden has belonged to the collective economy of Shahumyan region.
After the independence of Armenia in the 1990s, the local authorities leased
the gardens to individual land users. Until 2000 was included in the state list
of natural monuments of RA with a conservation area of 790 hectares. In 2004 by
the decision of the Government of RA, the 150 hectares area of Dalma Gardens
was recognized as a public priority interest. After that, the rapid
appropriation of the Garden began. The “Dalma Garden Mall” shopping center,
residential district, highway (Monte Melkonyan Road), “Yerevan Park” amusement center
and other structures were built. Construction works are being continued up till
now, causing great damage to the historical and cultural context and image of
Dalma.
“The Scientific Research Center of Historical and Cultural of Heritage” SNCO
Yerevan Municipality
