Tsitsernakaberd Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Tsitsernakaberd
Aerial view of the memorial complex
Established	1967 (memorial) 1995 (museum-institute)
Location	Yerevan, Armenia
Visitors	Hundreds of thousands each year

The Armenian Genocide Memorial complex (also known as Tsitsernakaberd) is Armenia's official memorial. It honors the victims of the Armenian genocide. This sad event saw many Armenians lose their lives. The memorial was built in 1967 on the Tsitsernakaberd hill in Yerevan.

Every year on April 24, thousands of Armenians gather here. This day is called Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. People lay fresh flowers to show respect for those who died. Many important people from around the world have visited the memorial. These include politicians, artists, and religious leaders.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute opened in 1995. It helps people learn more about this important history.

A Place with a Long History
How the Memorial Was Built
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
Gallery
See also

A Place with a Long History

The memorial stands on one of three hills near the Hrazdan River. These hills are called Tsitsernakaberd, which means "swallow's fortress." This area was once home to an Iron Age fortress.

Even though most old buildings are gone, you can still see traces of a castle on a smaller hill. In 2007, experts found parts of a very long wall. They also found large stones covering graves from thousands of years ago. Later, homes were built here during Roman times and in the Middle Ages. There are also remains of a large cave nearby.

How the Memorial Was Built

The idea for a memorial began in the early 1960s. Leaders in Armenia wanted to remember the 50th anniversary of the genocide. In 1964, some historians suggested building a memorial. They wanted it to show the rebirth of the Armenian people.

The government approved the plan in 1965. Construction started in 1966. This was after many people protested in Yerevan. One hundred thousand people demonstrated for 24 hours. They wanted the Soviet authorities to officially recognize the genocide.

The memorial was designed by architects Arthur Tarkhanyan and Sashur Kalashyan. Artist Hovhannes Khachatryan also helped. It was finished in November 1967.

What the Memorial Looks Like

The eternal flame burns at the center of the twelve stone slabs.

People walk past the memorial wall on April 24, 2014.

The memorial has a tall, pointed stone pillar, called a stele. It is 44 meters (about 144 feet) high. This pillar stands for the new beginning of the Armenian nation.

Around the stele, there are twelve large stone slabs placed in a circle. These slabs represent the twelve Armenian provinces that were lost. In the middle of the circle, there is an eternal flame. This flame honors the 1.5 million people who died during the Armenian genocide.

Next to the memorial, there is a 100-meter (about 328 feet) long wall. It has the names of towns and villages where massacres happened. On the back of this wall, there are special plates. These plates honor people who helped survivors during and after the genocide. Some of these helpers include Johannes Lepsius and Henry Morgenthau Sr..

An alley of trees has also been planted. Each tree helps remember the victims of the genocide.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute

An aerial view of the memorial and the museum.

You can see Mount Ararat from the museum's terrace.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute opened in 1995. This was for the 80th anniversary of the genocide. The museum was designed by architects Sashur Kalashian and Lyudmila Mkrtchyan. F. Araqelyan was the sculptor.

Since it opened, many visitors have come to the museum. This includes students and tourists from all over the world. Important leaders from other countries often visit the museum. For example, Pope John Paul II and Vladimir Putin have been here.

The museum has many historical documents. You can take guided tours in several languages. The building has two floors and is built into the side of a hill. This way, it does not take away from the main memorial. The museum's roof is flat and looks out over the beautiful Ararat Valley. You can even see Mount Ararat from here.

The museum helps people understand the Armenian Genocide. Its main goal is to prevent similar terrible events from happening again. It teaches that we must remember the past so we don't repeat it.

The institute also does research about the genocide. It publishes books and a journal on the topic.