Tsitsernakaberd

The Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex or Tsitsernakaberd monument is one of the most famous buildings in Armenia. It is located in the western part of Yerevan on a hill along the Hrazdan River. The architect is Arthur Tarkhanyan.

The architecture of Tsitsernakaberd

The memorial was built in 1968. It consists of three main parts: "Eternal Cathedral", columns "Reviving Armenia" and Walls of memory. The eternal Cathedral consists of 12 round stone slabs curved inwards. In its centre at a depth of 1.5 meters burns the eternal flame. There are several versions associated with the number 12. The first version is associated with the 12 provinces, where the massacre took place, the 2nd is connected with the apostles, the 3rd - with the vilayets, which according to the Treaty of Sevres should have been transferred to Armenia. But according to architect Sashur Kalashyan, the number 12 is the result of solving an aesthetic problem.

The memorial complex also includes the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute which opened in 1995. Tsitsernakaberd is an important place for every Armenian. Every year on the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24) Armenians from different parts of the world gather at the memorial to commemorate the victims of the genocide. Everyone put flowers around the eternal fire for all the people who died in the Armenian Genocide.

The  Genocide Memorial Museum

The Museum is located next to the Memorial complex. It has 2 floors: the first floor is subterranean and houses a library, a document archive, a conference hall, and a research centre, the second floor of the museum is an exhibition hall. Here the guests can see the documents, photos and personal belongings of the Genocide victims. In May 2014, Forbes magazine included the Armenian genocide Museum in the list of 9 memorial museums that everyone should visit.