SQUARES AND PARKS
Lyon Park is located at the end
of Sasuntsi Davit Street. Here lies the artificial reservoir (lake) that was
originally constructed in the 8th century BC by King Argishti I (786–764 BC),
ruler of the Kingdom of Van (Urartu) and founder of Erebuni–Yerevan, to supply
the city with water and irrigate the surrounding lands.
The lake was reconstructed in
the 16th century during the rule of Yerevan governor Tokhmak Khan and was named
after him. The ruins of Tokhmak Khan’s tower once stood on the lakeshore.
During the Soviet period, a
beautiful park was created around the lake according to the design of
architects Rafael Israyelyan and Levon Babayan. The park was officially opened
in 1941. In the 1950s, it was enclosed with a wall designed by architect Gevorg
Tamanyan, and in 1976–1977 an open-air stage was built (architect: Gevorg
Musheghyan).
According to the Soviet master
plan, the park was laid out along the street axis, with a central promenade
extending from it. Symmetrical alleys branching off to the right and left and
connecting in a circular layout form the park’s compositional design. Pavilions
and recreational areas were also created throughout the park.
In 2010–2011, within the
framework of the friendship and cooperation program between the municipalities
of Yerevan and Lyon (France), the park underwent a complete renovation and
modernization. It was named Lyon Park and became a symbol of friendship between
the two sister cities.
