%cgThe Genocide Memorial (Tsitsernakaberd)%c* and other K'aghak' Yerevan, Armenia Things to Do Tips

I strongly recommend visiting the genocide memorial and museum for anyone wishing to understand Armenia and its people.
In 1965, the Armenians throughout the world commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1915 genocide by the Turks and the lack of any tangible symbol in Armenia itself was the reason the genocide memorial was created in 1967.
As you approach the memorial from the car park, you will notice the collection of trees, each of which has been planted by a distinguished visitor such as Barbara Cox, an English Congresswoman.
The monument itself has two parts. One is a 44 meter tall stele reaching to the sky. The other is a ring of 12 large inwardly leaning basalt slabs whose shape is reminiscent of traditional Armenian Khachkars. The 12 Slabs represent the 12 lost provinces of western Armenia.
Every year on April 24th, people gather at the memorial and place flowers by the eternal burning fire

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Directions: In the city of Yerevan, to the west of the Hrazdan River.

The first of the two parts to the memorial is a ring of 12 large, inwardly leaning basalt slabs whose shape is reminiscent of traditional Armenian Khachkars. The 12 slabs represent the 12 lost provinces of western Armenia and their inward leaning form suggests figures in mourning. At the circle, burns the eternal flame.

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At the center of the Ring or the circle, but 1.5 meters below, burns the eternal flame. The steps leading down are deliberately steep, thus requiring visitors approaching to bow their heads in reverence as they descend. Every year on April 24th, people gather at the memorial and place flowers by the eternal burning fire. The Armenians will never forget the massacres of their people on April 24th of 1915 by the Turks.

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The second feature of the genocide memorial is the 44 meters tall stele reaching to the sky and symbolising the survival and spiritual rebirth of the Armenian people. It is riven however by a deep cleft which symbolises the separation of the peoples of western and eastern Armenia while at the same time emphasising the unity of all Armenian people.

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By the Genocide Memorial, when one enters from the car park, you will pass by a statue of a mother holding her child titled "Mother Arising out of the Ashes". The statue is in memory of those who perished, survived or escaped the genocide of 1915. It is a replica of the larger statue which in in place at a museum in Los Angeles, California.

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Directions: At the Genocide Memorial and Museum. As you enter from the car park before you get to the trees planted by prominent people, the statue is on the right side of the road.

Visitors to Yerevan are inevitable drawn to the large and imposing REPUBLIC SQUARE. In Soviet times, the square used to be called the Lenin Square. The square is surrounded by different buildings with fine architecture.. An example is the "National History Museum" of 1926 on the northeast side with fountains outside. There are also government buildings, a post office and Hotel Armenia/ Marriot Hotel around the square. A must see for the tourists.. There are people vending snacks and cold drinks around the square and there are some fine restaurants near the square including the Hotel Armenia/ Marriot Hotel's restaurant on the bottom floor.

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Directions: Crosses Abovian street and a few other streets..

The Republic Square is absolutely gorgeous by night.. There are many people walking around outside with their families or their loved ones even on weekdays.. Definitely worth visiting at night and enjoying the atmosphere. There is the teletubies entertaining the little kids and other cartoon characters.. You may purchase refreshments or snacks from the vendors around the square and walk around. A big screen television airs music videos..

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The project of Yerevan's Opera House was began in 30's from the plans of famous Armenian city architect Tamanyan, who was the first to lay and plan the foundations of modern Yerevan in 1920's and 30's.

In 1937 the splendid and grandeur project of Opera House received the "Grande Prix" award of architectural design in an architectural exhibition in Paris. Opera House was by far the greatest achievement of Tamanyan's genius project building in this respect.

Inside is the Khachaturian Hall, named after world famous renowned composer, Aram Khachaturian. Tickets and schedules for the world class performances can usually be obtained for under $2 at the ticket booth.

At the back of the Opera House is a statue of the Armenian Composer, Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978). Around the front, the right hand statue is the eponymous Spendiarian while to the left is Hovanes Toumanian, a second of whose poems was the source of the most famous Armenian Opera "Anoush".

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Directions: Across from Atlantic Restaurant.. On the corner of Mashtots and Sayat Nova Streets... Easy to find!!!

Hovhannes Toumanian is one of Armenia's greatest and well known poets (1869-1923) who has produced many fable and epic poetry. Amongst his famous writings worth noting are

In the Armenian Mountain
Armenian Grief
With My Fatherland
My Friend Nesso

and his masterpiece Anoush

A lot more will be said about Hovhannes Toumanian in my pages in Armenia when we visited his gravesite and museum..

This Statue of Hovhannes Toumanian is one of four statues situated around the famous Opera House in Yerevan, Armenia... It is a site worth visiting when in Yerevan.

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Directions: Infront of the Opera House, corners of Mashtots and Sayat Nova streets by Atlantic Restaurant

Erebuni, on a hilltop in the southern part of the city is the original site of Yerevan. Visitors can see the partially excavated remains of the site of the city together with interesting objects found there which are now housed in a worthwhile museum at the bottom of the hill.

Erebuni was discovered by chance in 1950 during exploration of Arin Berd Monastery which had later been built on the site. An English speaking guide is available in the museum as well as a booklet giving a brief description in five languages.

museum is closed on Mondays but open the rest of the week from 10:30am to 4:00pm. There is a cover charge to get into the museum building (somewhere in the neighborhood of US $2.00). There are many many steps leading to the hill top ruins from the museum building one can climb but it's tedious and for adventurous only. The rest of us can get to the ruins by car by driving road next to the museum north and making a left on one of the dirt roads leading to the hill top.

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