Mother Armenia and Military Museum (Victory Park)

Mother Armenia is a monumental statue standing in Victory Park (Haghtanak Park) on the ridge above Mashtots Avenue in Yerevan, Armenia, with the Matenadaran nearby on the slope below. The statue was unveiled in 1967 to replace an earlier monument and commemorates the Soviet victory in the Second World War. A large female figure holding a sword rises about 22 metres above a tall pedestal, and she looks out across the city towards Mount Ararat. The pedestal contains the Military Museum, which presents uniforms, weapons, photographs and documents related to the war and to later conflicts, including Armenia's modern military history, and displays of captured and decommissioned equipment stand on the grounds. The park also holds an eternal flame, walkways, a small amusement area and old military vehicles. Visitors can walk around the base of the statue, look at the exhibits and spend time on the terrace, which offers a broad view over the city. A visit takes one to one and a half hours. Reported museum hours are weekdays 10:00 to 17:00 and weekends 10:00 to 15:00, with Monday closed, though visitors should confirm locally. The park is free and open year-round. Sunset is the favoured time because the sun lights the city and Ararat appears on clear evenings, while mornings are quieter. A taxi from Mashtots Avenue takes about ten minutes, and the path can also be climbed on foot from the Cascade side for those who want exercise. Crowds are usually moderate, with larger groups on holidays and during national events.