
05/28/2025
The Sardarapat Memorial was built in 1968, exactly 50 years after the famous battle that took place here. This is where Armenian forces managed to stop the Ottoman Turkish army in May 1918 – a victory that basically saved Armenia from disappearing completely.
The architect Rafael Israelyan designed the whole complex. He did a great job connecting the architecture with Armenian history and culture without making it feel forced or over the top.
When you visit, the first things you’ll notice are the huge stone eagles at the entrance. They’re meant to guard the site and honestly, they’re pretty impressive – you can spot them from really far away. There’s also a bell tower with 30 bells that ring for the people who died in the battle.
At the entrance, you’ll also see stone bulls. These represent strength and determination, and they’re based on symbols from ancient Armenian culture.
The memorial was built right where the actual battle happened, in the Ararat Valley. There’s also a museum on site that has real artifacts from the battles at Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan, and Gharakilisa – things like old photos, weapons, clothes, and personal stories from people who were there.
What makes Sardarapat special isn’t just that it marks a military victory. It’s become a symbol of what Armenians can do when they work together. The battle itself was won by regular people – farmers fighting alongside soldiers to protect their homes. That message still resonates today.