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The Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex sits on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd west of the city center of Yerevan. The complex is a must for any visitor to Armenia, and is likely to be an emotional and educational experience.
Armenian Genocide Memorial
The Armenian Genocide Memorial was built in 1967 and is the national memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The path to the memorial has a 100-meter-long wall listing the names of towns and villages where massacres and mass deportations are known to have occurred. There are a few graves at the end of the wall.
The memorial consists of twelve slabs positioned in a circle. Each slab represents one of the the twelve lost provinces of Western Armenia, which is now part of Turkey. In the center of the circle is an eternal flame dedicated to the 1.5 million people killed during the Armenian Genocide.
The final feature of the Armenian Genocide Memorial is a spire standing 44 meters high. It symbolizes the national rebirth of Armenians.
The memorial is set in a large park. On the west end, near the museum, there are a few groves where hundreds of trees have been planted to commemorate the victims. You’ll find panels listing the names and titles of officials who planted each tree. On the east end of the park past the memorial, there’s a path leading down the side of the hill and excellent views of Yerevan.
Armenian Genocide Museum
The Armenian Genocide Museum opened on the 80th anniversary of the genocide in 1995. It’s built into the side of the hill as to not interfere with the memorial. The museum welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually including foreign dignitaries and heads of state. The museum is open daily except Mondays. There’s no admission, but guided tours are extra and must be reserved in advance by phone. They’re offered in English, French, German, and Russian and cost ֏7,000 for 1-10 visitors and ֏10,000 for 11-20 visitors (as of November 2024).
The mission of the Armenian Genocide Museum is for visitors to understanding the importance of the Armenian Genocide and to prevent similar future tragedies. Exhibits run in chronological order with a short film at the beginning. They’re supported with documents, photographs, artifacts, videos, quotes, interactive displays, and an incredible amount of information.
After covering the events of the Armenian Genocide, the exhibits continue with information about the aftermath of and struggle for justice. There are also sections on other genocides that have occurred worldwide. These include the Holocaust and the Greek, Assyrian, Rwandan, and Darfur Genocides.
During my visit, there was also a temporary exhibition chronicling personal stories of several women who survived the Armenian Genocide. Some were able to escape and start new lives in other countries while others were adopted and Turkified before discovering their true identities.
