Exploring the Unfinished Depths of Yerevan Metro

The Yerevan Metro (officially the Karen Demirchyan Yerevan Metro) is a vital part of the transportation system in Armenia’s capital city. Construction began in 1978, and the metro opened its doors in 1981, with subsequent expansions completed by 1996.

The construction of the Yerevan Metro began in January 1978, and was carried out by the "Haytunelshin" department headed by Leonid Harutyunyan.

The metro officially opened on March 7, 1981, and gradually expanded southward over the following years under the leadership and patronage of Karen Demirchyan. The last station, Charbakh, became operational in 1996. In honor of Karen Demirchyan, who tragically lost his life in the National Assembly terrorist attack on October 27, 1999, the metro was renamed after him later that year. Building through Yerevan’s underground, riddled with abundant subterranean water flows, posed immense challenges.

This is one of my most favorite photos

Today, the Yerevan Metro includes 10 stations, with three above-ground stations (Sasuntsi Davit, Gortsaranain, and Charbakh) and seven underground ones.

Thanks to its high construction standards, the metro survived the devastating 1988 earthquake without significant damage and resumed operations the next day. However, the earthquake halted plans for further expansion, particularly the construction of stations in the Ajapnyak and Davtashen districts. Resources were redirected to the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas, leaving these projects incomplete.

Ore carts were still lying there, as if frozen in time

Tunnels leading to the Ajapnyak Metro Station were excavated during the Soviet era, and the station’s entrance had been planned. However, the bridge across the Hrazdan Gorge, essential for extending the tracks, was never built due to the prohibitive costs. As a result, the Ajapnyak Metro project remains unfinished to this day.

Urban Exploration of Ajapnyak Metro

The abandoned Ajapnyak Metro Station has become a sought-after destination for urban explorers and diggers. Despite repeated promises from municipal authorities to resume construction, these plans remain unfulfilled, leaving the site in limbo.

In recent years, a camera was installed at the station’s entrance, possibly as a deterrent, though its functionality is uncertain. During one of my visits, I entered through a narrow gap, first calming the stray dogs that have made the area their home. The interior revealed a haunting glimpse into an ambitious project left to time and neglect.

This abandoned station, shrouded in mystery, continues to captivate explorers, offering a hidden perspective on Yerevan’s metro system. What lies within is a blend of unfinished engineering and the allure of the unknown.