Monuments and Parks

Travel to any country you might think of, even to the most forgotten and neglected parts of the world and you will hardly not find there at least one monument. It might be a small one but it will be there. Many countries and parts of the world might lack castles and fortresses and even archaeological sites, but never the monuments. Why is it so? The answer to this question tightly lies in the overall core and meaning of erecting a monument. The ultimate goal behind that is the commemoration of a certain person or an event bearing some historical or cultural significance. It can be an example of historical architecture as well.

Since Armenia is a country with a historical record that starts thousands of years ago, it can boast of its richness of monuments, which not only bear an immense significance for the Armenian people and the Armenian state but also express a certain peculiarity or characteristic of a given period.

One of the recently added monuments is the Armenian Alphabet Monument, which despite its young age has already grabbed the attention of both the locals and the tourists. Perhaps, it is explained by the monument’s uniqueness since in no other country you will have a chance to stand by your name’s letter and take a pic there. Since the Armenian alphabet is one of the richest alphabets in the world containing almost all the letters, no tourist will complain of the lack or absence of his/her letter.

It can be found at the east side of Mount Aragats, so visitors will also have an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular mountain as well as visit the tomb of Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian Alphabet. The tomb is located inside the fifth century Oshakan Church.

The huge letters were erected in 2005 in commemoration of the 1600 anniversary of the Armenian alphabet (it was invented in 405).

Not once Armenia has been on the verge of not only losing everything but also losing itself with that marking the end of its age-long existence. One such perfect opportunity was given to the enemy in 1918 at the Battle of Sardarapat. The significance of this battle is explained by the fact that the victory of the Armenians in it not only hindered the Ottoman advance in the rest of Armenia but also hampered the destruction of the Armenian nation (note that before that Armenian nation was also destined to suffer the Armenian Genocide the memorial to which can today be found in Tsitsernakaberd). So this battle was of utmost importance to the Armenian people and state, since they were not erased from this Earth as many ancient nations were and still continues to exist and prosper.

In 1968 a memorial currently known as Sardarapat memorial was erected to the battle of Sardarapat. It was done in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the mentioned battle. The monument represents an entire memorial park, which is located on the spot of the battlefield. The memorial symbolizes pride and survival.

Another monument worth a visit and again depicting the Armenian history is the memorial dedicated to the heroic battle of Musa Dagh. It was on July 13 1915 that an order came upon which eight days later the deportation would start. Eight days later made July 2, and by the time the day came many had abandoned the six villages in the foothills and climbed the mountain of Musa. Today a memorial dedicated to the bloody battle of Musa Dagh can be seen in Musa Ler Village. Inside the Musa Ler memorial there is a museum.

Among other monuments are Aghtsk with its crypt of Armenian Arshakuni kings, Noratus with its priceless khatchkars (cross-stones) and Yeghegis, which was once one of the richest cities of Armenia, and it’s currently famous for its khatchkars and gravestones.

On the whole, every sacred site structure is a remarkable monument worth a visit. But the monuments are not limited to those architectural pieces only and each monument you see in Armenia is a masterpiece in its kind. So don’t miss that.

Sardarapat Memorial

Oshakan

Opera theater in Yerevan at night – Armenia

Opera House

Sports and Concerts Complex

The National Assembly of Armenia

Parks

Present-day Yerevan is a big and a beautiful city with newly-built residential buildings, business centers, excellent dining options, interesting museums and theaters, lively nightclubs and bars and more. Yerevan is home to more than 40 parks and boulevards with some of them being truly amazing and kid-friendly. There are not many green places in Yerevan, so parks and gardens are mosrt loved and care for in by the locals. In this respect, Yerevan parks and gardens are worth a visit while holidaying in Yerevan.

Victory Park

Victory Park (Haghtanaki Zbosaygi in Armenian) is a big amusement park found at the top of Cascade Complex that has acquired its name to commemorate Soviet Armenia’s participation in World War II. The park is housed in a green forested area and boasts an artificial lake, several cafes, an amusement park, add to this breathtaking views of the central Yerevan. The park is also where visitors will find the one-of-a-kind statue of Mother Armenia ‘Mayr Hayastan,’ with a museum located underneath it. Kid-friendly activities include a Ferris Wheel, а roller-coaster, tennis and other games. Your kids will surely appreciate spending a sunny day in this lively getaway.

Tamanyan Park

Spanning the two city blocks leading to Yerevan’s monumental Cascade, Tamanyan Park is another majestic getaway more resembling an open art gallery. It’s a sculpture garden, giving visitors the chance to enjoy and admire Armenian contemporary arts, including Fernando Batero’s popular ‘Roman Warrior,’ Barry Flanagan’s ‘Hare on Bell’ and Lynn Chadwick’s ‘Sitting Figures’ to name but a few. There are a lot of other original statues there. Don’t miss the Cafesjian Museum next to it in Cascade Complex, featuring works of art by both Armenian and international artists.

Lover’s Park

Located on the nicely-paved and tree-lined Baghramyan Avenue, adjacent to the National Assembly and the Presidential Residence, the two of the Republic’s most important state structures, Lover’s Park is a year-round open getaway with NO entrance fee. Japanese traditional landscaping has been a major source of inspiration for the park’s design project. Covering a total area of 1.6 hectares, the park holds a small lake with various inlets and formations to enhance the viewing experience. In the middle of this nicely designed park visitors will find the Achajour café, offering delicious sandwiches and desserts. One of the highlights of the park is the stone compositions and sculptures, which feature decorative lighting at night.

Children’s Railway

Take the colorful minibus ride on the famous Mashtots Avenue near Malibu Café, and you will head to Children’s Railway passing through a small tunnel. The entertainment park will welcome you with various rides your kids will surely appreciate. It also has vendors, a café and a picnic area. The railway ticket will cost 300 Dram.

English Park

English park is located on Italy Street, near Italian Embassy and is a wonderful green spot to visit in summer. The park is bordered on the south by the imposing monument to Alexander Miasnikyan and is divided by two streets. On the east of the park visitors will find the small statue of Yerevan Water boy and a large plaza with the enormous monument to Stepan Shahumyan standing in its front. The English Park is a popular getaway for wedding photographs.

Saryan Park

Saryan’s Park is a fine place found near the Opera House that attracts locals and tourists alike. On Saturday and Sunday the park turns into Vernisage, where you can see a lot of Armenian artists showing off their paintings or draw one just in front of passers-by. If you want, they will draw your portrait for some price. The park is also famous for its statues, including the Statue of M. Saryan and the statue of ‘Men.’

Komitas Panteon Park

Komitas Pantheon Park is found in the city’s Shengavit district, on the right side of the main Arshakunyats Avenue. The park is where many remarkable figures of Armenia’s artistic world are buried, including Komitas (1869-1935), one of Armenia’s great composers, who had a tragic life. His work came to an end after 1915 Armenian Genocide; he was disturbed by the Turkish government’s horrific slaughter, that he became insane. The Pantheon is also the site of the graves of composers Aram Khachaturyan and Romanos Melikyan, of poets Avetik Isahakyan and Shushanik Kurghinyan, of writers William Saroyan and Vrtanes Papazyan and prominent figures.

Oghakadzev Park (Circle park)

This is one of the most favorite parks of the youth, visited by a large number of students, which is due to the park’s location close to some of Yerevan’s most popular universities, including the famous State University of Yerevan. It’s the longest park of Yerevan, stretching along the territory called “Small Center” The park teems with nice cafes, gorgeous, kid-friendly attractions and rides. Of great interest is the park’s majestic fountain and the artificial lake.

Worth a visit are also Tumanyan Park and Sport Complex’s Park.

Parks

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