Sardarapat Memorial
The sculptural and architectural complex, built on the site of the Sardarapat battle and perpetuating the victory over the regular Turkish army by Armenian armed forces and the people's militia in 1918. The memorial consists of independent architectural and sculptural compositions connected into a single complex that conveys the historical values of the Armenian people, the role and importance of victory.
The memorial was designed by architect Rafael Israelyan while the sculpting is by Ara Harutyunyan, Arsham Shahinyan and Sambel Minasyan.
The entrance is flanked by huge winged oxen made of red tufa. A flight of steps leads to a square from which a 26-metre-high bell tower rises. The beautiful trellised structure with its twelve bells can be seen from afar. The bells ring every year on the day of the historic victory. The monument is guarded by massive ancient style Armenian-winged lions, and is flanked by a memorial garden for Karabakh (Arstakh) martyrs.