Vartanants Square

Vartanants Square (Armenian: Վարդանանց Հրապարակ Vartanants Hraparak) or Vardanants Square, is the large central town square in Gyumri, Armenia. It is bordered by the Abovyan street from the west, Gai street from the north, Shahumyan street from the east and Vahan Cheraz street from the south. It has a rectangular shape (280 by 140 meters).

The square was known as the May Uprising Square (Armenian: Մայիսյան Ապստամբության հրապարակ), named after the failed Bolshevik uprising against the Dashnak government of the First Republic of Armenia in May 1920.^[1] The square was opened during the 1930s under the Soviet rule, based on the original plan of Alexander Tamanian and the revised plan of D. Chislian.

Description

Memorial to the Battle of Avarayr

The square is decorated with several fountains with a memorial to the Battle of Avarayr at the central part. The memorial was erected in 2008 and includes a group of historic Armenian figures who led the Armenian army's campaign against Sassanid Persia. The equestrian statue of Vartan Mamikonian is erected at the centre of the memorial. The other four statues depict the Catholicos Hovsep I of Armenia, Ghevond Yerets, V. Mamikonian's mother and the prince Arshavir II of Kamsarakan.^[2]

On 25 June 2016, Pope Francis delivered a Holy Mass at the Vartanants Square. His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II also took part in the ceremony.^[3]

Buildings around the square

The square is surrounded with many significant buildings:

• The Gyumri City Hall built in 1933, occupies the eastern side.
• The 19th-century Church of the Holy Saviour to the south of the square.
• The 19th-century Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God north and the "October" cinema hall of 1926, on the northern side.
• A hotel built in 1927 on the western edge of the square.

Gallery

Panoramic view of Vartanants Square

References

Coordinates: 40°47′07″N 43°50′30″E / 40.78528°N 43.84167°E / 40.78528; 43.84167

Gyumri
Places of worship	Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God Church of the Holy Saviour Surp Nshan Church Saint Gregory the Illuminator's Church Saint Jacob of Nisibis Church Saint Nikolai the Wondeworker Church Saint Arsenije Church Saint Alexandra the Martyr's Church Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs
Landmarks	Kumayri historic district Sev Berd Fortress Poloz Mukuch Beerhouse Mother Armenia Diocese of Shirak Vartanants Square Independence Square Charles Aznavour Square
Museums and culture	Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum Dzitoghtsyan Museum of National Architecture Sergey Merkurov House-Museum House-Museum of Avetik Isahakyan House-Museum of Hovhannes Shiraz House-Museum of Mher Mkrtchyan Vardan Ajemian State Drama Theatre
Science and Education	Gyumri Technology Center Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute Progress University Gyumri Academy of Fine Art Lord Byron School
Sports and recreation	Gyumri City Stadium FC Shirak Gyumri Football Academy Gyumri Chess School October Cinema Gyumri Central park Victory Park
Transportation	Shirak Airport Gyumri Railway Station