HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

1950-1985

State index: 1.12.10

Аrchitect: Rafael Israelyan

Restoration architects: Ashot Aleksanyan, Anahit Navasardyan

Sculptors: Sergey Merkurov, Ara Harutyunyan, Vahan Khachikyan

The monument is located at 2nd Azatutyun Avenue, within the territory of Haghtanak (Victory) Park. It commemorates the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) and was inaugurated on November 29, 1950, marking the 30th anniversary of Soviet rule in Armenia.

The complex and the park were designed by architect Rafael Israelyan, who also created the high, sculpted pedestal originally intended for the victory monument. Instead, a bronze statue of Joseph Stalin, created by sculptor Sergey Merkurov and standing 17 meters tall, was placed on the pedestal.

In 1962, the Stalin statue was removed. A few years later, the pedestal was adorned with the statue of “Mother Armenia,” sculpted by Ara Harutyunyan. This statue, made of roughly hewn copper, stands 22 meters tall and is mounted on a three-story pedestal of black tuff.

In 1970, a museum titled “Armenia in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945” was established within the pedestal of "Mother Armenia." This museum, which was renamed the “Mother Armenia” Military Museum in 1995 and came under the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, features exhibits on the participation of the Armenian people in the Great Patriotic War, the Artsakh Liberation War, and other related events.

In the same year, 1970, the tomb of the unknown soldier with an eternal flame was also constructed according to Rafael Israelyan’s design.

The remains of the soldier were brought from Mozdok, a city liberated by the fighters of the 89th Armenian Tamanian Division during the Great Patriotic War, and reburied in front of the “Mother Armenia” monument.

In 1977, the “No to War” (“Let There Never Be a War”) sculpture was added to the memorial complex, designed by architect Felix Zargaryan and sculptor Vahan Khachikyan.

Between 1983 and 1985, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Great Victory, the memorial complex underwent significant renovations led by architects Ashot Aleksanyan and Anahit Navasardyan. During this renovation, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was reconstructed to give it a more solemn appearance, and the Alley of Heroes was built, stretching 300 meters in length and 10 meters in width.

In 1983, ten years after Rafael Israelyan’s death, a triumphal arch was constructed at the park entrance from Azatutyun Avenue, based on Israelyan’s sketches and completed by his son, Areg Israelyan. The arch features unique bas-reliefs.

The Victory Memorial stands as a tribute from the Armenian people to their compatriots who sacrificed their lives in the war.

 “Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage” SNCO

Yerevan Municipality