MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

KHACHATUR ABOVYAN HOUSE-MUSEUM COMPLEX

18th century, 20th century

State Index: 1.12.15

Renovated in 1939 and 1978

The house-museum complex of Khachatur Abovyan, the great Armenian enlightener, writer, and founder of modern Armenian literature and pedagogy, is located in the Kanaker district of Yerevan at 4 Kanaker 2nd Street.

The complex includes the writer’s statue, his ancestral home, the museum building, and the Fountain of Armenian-Estonian Friendship.

The dominant structure is Abovyan’s ancestral home, built in the 18th century by his grandfather, Mr. Apov. It is a single-story building typical of its era, comprising three rooms and a balcony. It was reconstructed and converted into a house-museum by the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Armenian SSR on April 25, 1938. The museum has been operating since November 1939.

In 1978, a new museum building was constructed according to architect Liparit Sadoyan’s design (constructor: Ilya Manucharyan), which now shelters the original house. The museum building features large and small exhibition halls, a 100-seat auditorium, a storage room, and offices. Exhibits include editions of the novel "Wounds of Armenia", the writer's manuscripts, translations, letters, petitions, and artworks by Armenian artists depicting Abovyan's life.

On September 10, 1964, on the eve of events dedicated to Estonian literature and art in Armenia, Abovyan's monument was installed on the southwestern side of the complex (sculptor: Andreas Ter-Marukyan, 1913, Paris). The face is based on a portrait by renowned Dorpat-based artist Friedrich Ludwig von Maydell.

On the southern side of the complex is a memorial fountain symbolizing Armenian-Estonian friendship, unveiled on September 20, 1964, during events dedicated to Estonian literature and art in Armenia (architect: Rafael Israelyan, sculptor: Ara Harutyunyan).

The complex preserves and promotes values dedicated to the life and work of the great enlightener.

KHACHATUR ABOVYAN MUSEUM BUILDING

State index: 1.12.15.2

1978 - Architect: Liparit Sadoyan, Designer: Ilya Manucharyan

Builder: Industrial Construction of the Armenian SSR N 1 Trest

Customer: Ministries of Culture of the Armenian SSR

Sculptor: Levon Tokmajyan (with L. Sadoyan’s sketches)

The museum is located at 4th Kanaker 2nd Street, within the complex of the house-museum of Khachatur Abovyan, the esteemed Armenian enlightener and founder of modern Armenian literature and pedagogy. It was constructed on the site of Abovyan’s family home, preserving its original structure while enclosing it within the new building.

The museum’s exterior is adorned with high sculptures on three sides, depicting Abovyan with students and scenes from his novel “Wounds of Armenia,” including the character Aghasi.

The museum features a variety of spaces: First Floor: Includes a small gallery (100 square meters). Second Floor: Houses a large hall (500 square meters), a lecture hall (100 square meters), and a hall of the funds (60 square meters).

The building is constructed of reinforced concrete. The first-floor walls are made of smooth basalt, while the second-floor walls are crafted from local smooth tuff. The interior features a tuff-covered lobby and staircase, marble stairs and floors, and parquet flooring in the pillared hall and workrooms. The overall dimensions of the building are 14 x 36 x 12 meters.

The museum’s exhibits include publications of “Wounds of Armenia,” samples of the writer’s manuscripts, translations, letters, petitions, and artworks by Armenian artists that reflect Abovyan’s life and legacy.

“Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO

Yerevan Municipality

WORKING HOURS

Monday - Friday 10:00-17:00

Saturday - 10:00 -15:00

Sunday - Closed

From May to November the Museum works till 21:00 pm

ENTRANCE FEE

Schoolchildren - 300 AMD:

Adults - 500 AMD

EXCURSION

Armenian - 2000 AMD