Mother Armenia Monument
Erevan
The Mother Armenia Monument is a monumental statue located in Victory Park, overlooking the capital city of Yerevan, Armenia. Standing 22 meters tall atop a 29-meter basalt pedestal designed to resemble a traditional Armenian three-nave basilica, the statue represents a female personification of Armenia symbolizing peace through strength. It replaced a former statue of Joseph Stalin in 1967, which was originally erected in 1950 as a World War II victory memorial. The current statue was sculpted by Ara Harutyunyan, inspired by a young woman named Genya Muradian. The pedestal houses the Mother Armenia Military Museum, showcasing exhibits related to World War II and the Nagorno-Karabakh War, including personal belongings, weapons, and strategic maps. The monument serves as a guardian figure over Yerevan and is a site of annual commemoration for Armenian martyrs of the Second World War on May 9. Architect Rafayel Israyelian designed the pedestal with a nod to Armenian ecclesiastical architecture, ensuring a harmonious blend of cultural symbolism and historical memory. The statue's hammered copper construction and commanding presence make it a unique and inspiring landmark in Armenia's capital.
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Astuce: Visit Mother Armenia Monument in the late afternoon to enjoy panoramic views of Yerevan bathed in golden light. Consider purchasing tickets in advance for the Military Museum inside the pedestal to avoid queues. The monument is especially meaningful to visit on May 9, when commemorations take place. Discounts may be available for students and seniors. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the site is on a hill and involves some walking.
Faits intéressants
- •The pedestal of the monument is designed to resemble a three-nave Armenian basilica church, inspired by the seventh-century St. Hripsime Church in Echmiadzin.
- •The statue of Mother Armenia was modeled after a 17-year-old girl named Genya Muradian, whom sculptor Ara Harutyunyan met by chance.
- •During the removal of the Stalin statue in 1962, one soldier was killed and many others injured, marking a turbulent transition period.
- •The monument's total height is 51 meters, combining the 22-meter statue and the 29-meter pedestal.
- •The Military Museum inside the pedestal features a map used by Armenian forces to plan the Battle of Shushi during the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Histoire
The original monument was a statue of Joseph Stalin, unveiled in 1950 as a World War II victory memorial, designed by sculptor Sergey Merkurov with a pedestal by architect Rafayel Israyelian.
In spring 1962, the Stalin statue was removed amid some unrest, and in 1967, the Mother Armenia statue by Ara Harutyunyan was installed in its place.
The pedestal's design was inspired by traditional Armenian basilicas, reflecting a cultural continuity beyond the political changes.
The monument has since become a symbol of national strength and remembrance, hosting a military museum dedicated initially to World War II and later to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Guide du lieu
Mother Armenia Statue1967
A 22-meter tall hammered copper statue symbolizing Armenia's strength and peace, sculpted by Ara Harutyunyan, inspired by a young Armenian woman. It stands as a guardian overlooking Yerevan.
Basalt Pedestal and Military Museum1950 (pedestal), 1967 (museum adaptation)
The 29-meter pedestal, designed by architect Rafayel Israyelian to resemble an Armenian basilica, houses the Military Museum dedicated to World War II and the Nagorno-Karabakh War, displaying weapons, personal items, and historical documents.