MONUMENTS
MONUMENT TO “VAHAGN THE DRAGON SLAYER”
1969
State index: 1.7.10
Sculptor: Karlen Nurijanyan
Designer: Nerses Charkhchyan
The sculpture of Vahagn, the ancient Armenian god of courage, thunder, and war, is located at the prominent intersection of Tsovakal Isakov Avenue and Sebastia Street. Vahagn is one of the most powerful and revered deities in Armenian mythology, symbolizing strength, bravery, and victory. According to tradition, he earned the title "Dragon Slayer" after battling dragons that represented darkness.
Created
by sculptor Karlen Nurijanyan in the 1960s, the sculpture was first installed
in 1969. It is notable for being one of the few sculptures in Yerevan that has
been relocated multiple times over the decades. Initially placed on Lenin
Avenue (now Mashtots Avenue) in 1969, it was later moved to near the Union of
Artists of Armenia in the 1970s, then to Etchmiadzin Highway in the 1980s. In
the 1990s, it was damaged by wind and fell. In 2001, it was entrusted to the
renowned fragment-sculptor Nerses Charkhchyan, who restored it. For several
years, it was displayed in Jrvej, near his home. On December 19, 2004, the
sculpture was reinstalled on Tsovakal Isakov Avenue.
The
sculpture is made of copper and placed on a raw basalt rock. It depicts Vahagn
in combat with a dragon, symbolizing the eternal struggle between life and
death and the triumph of good over evil. The sculpture stands 3.5 meters tall
and weighs approximately 400 kilograms.
In
1971, a copy of the statue was installed near the House of Culture in Armavir
village, located in the Armavir region of the Republic of Armenia.
“Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO
Yerevan Municipality
