The Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan commemorates 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the Armenian Genocide. You can visit the memorial’s outdoor structures and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, which presents a permanent exhibition on the second floor.
- Location: Tsitsernakaberd, Yerevan
- Museum pattern: open Tuesday through Sunday, with seasonal hours; closed Mondays
- Admission: free; donations are welcomed
Understanding the memorial site
Tsitsernakaberd is a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Its name is associated with a site whose commemorative significance is marked by a group of structures across the grounds.
The memorial was ceremonially opened on November 29, 1967. The complex covers 4,500 square meters and brings together three main elements: the Memorial Wall, the Sanctuary of Eternity with its Memorial Hall and Eternal Flame, and the Memorial Column “Reborn Armenia.” Each forms part of a single commemorative site rather than a separate attraction.
The complex also has a recurring role in public commemoration. Each year on April 24, people gather there to remember the victims. The museum extends its operating hours on that date, so check the official museum site before you go.
The memorial and its grounds
The outdoor memorial is arranged around three principal features: the Memorial Wall, the Sanctuary of Eternity and the Memorial Column “Reborn Armenia.” Together, they give you a way to encounter the commemorative landscape before or after visiting the museum.
The Sanctuary of Eternity includes a Memorial Hall and Eternal Flame. The Memorial Wall and the column complete the complex’s main elements. You can take in the outdoor structures as part of a single visit to the grounds, then decide whether to add time indoors at the museum.
Visiting the museum
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute presents a permanent exhibition on the second floor, covering 1,000 square meters. The museum opened in April 1995 for the 80th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Admission is free, and donations are welcomed. A guided tour lasts 40 minutes to 1 hour. Tours are offered in Armenian, Russian, English and French; published tour prices vary by language and group size.
Armenian-language tours cost 5,000 AMD for groups of 1–10 and 7,000 AMD for groups of 10–20. Tours in Russian, English, French or German cost 7,000 AMD for groups of 1–10 and 10,000 AMD for groups of 10–20.
The museum’s regular hours vary by season. From February 15 to November 15, it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, with last entrance at 16:30. From November 15 to February 15, Tuesday-through-Saturday hours are 11:00 to 16:45, with last entrance at 16:15.
On Sundays, it is open from 11:00 to 15:00, with last entrance at 14:30; it is closed on Mondays. Guided tours run Tuesday through Sunday, excluding official holidays, from 10:00 to 16:10.
The museum closes on official holidays, including December 31, January 1, 2 and 6, January 28, March 8, May 1, 9 and 28, July 5, and September 21. Because hours and access can vary, check the official Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute site before you go.
How do you get from Bonjour Boutique to Tsitsernakaberd?
Tsitsernakaberd is about an 18-minute walk or a 12-minute car ride from Bonjour Boutique Hotel Yerevan.
The museum’s official address is 8/8 Tsitsernakaberd highway, Yerevan.
For journeys by bus or metro, a guide to Yerevan public transport covers the city’s transit options.
Planning a respectful visit
Allow time for both the outdoor complex and, if you choose, the museum. A guided museum tour takes 40 minutes to 1 hour, in addition to the time you spend on the grounds.
If you are including the memorial in a wider city outing, a one-day walking route through Yerevan can help you plan time elsewhere in the centre. The annual April 24 gathering is a significant day of commemoration at the site.
The memorial is dedicated to remembrance, so keep the purpose of the complex in mind as you move through its grounds. For a museum visit, check its seasonal schedule and holiday closures before setting out; the museum is at 8/8 Tsitsernakaberd highway, Yerevan.
FAQs
What does the Tsitsernakaberd memorial commemorate?
It commemorates 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the Armenian Genocide.
Is the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute free?
Yes. Admission is free of charge, and donations are welcomed.
How long is a guided museum tour?
A guided tour lasts 40 minutes to 1 hour. Tours are offered in Armenian, Russian, English and French.
When do people gather at Tsitsernakaberd?
People gather at the complex each year on April 24 to commemorate the victims.