Feb 3, 2025

Statue of David of Sasoun Yerevan

The loyal hero

""Statue of David of Sasoun" in Yerevan isn't included in the main touristic programs and I feel sorry about that, because its story is really interesting!"

Every time I see this statue I feel sorry that it’s not included in the main touristic programs, because it’s a great statue by a great master about a great epic hero!

So, who is David? He is definitely not the Biblical young shepherd fighting with Goliath inspiring  Michelangelo to create his masterpiece. Our David was a shepherd too and he was fighting as well, but his battle was with the Arabs occupying  Armenia.

Like the Biblical David, our David invoked inspiration too, which resonated long enough to be reflected in the Armenian epic poem called “Daredevils of Sasoun” coveyed orally by village bards for 1000 years. It was saved from oblivion in the 19th century by an Armenian bishop. Composed in different Armenian dialects, 50 in total, this folklore story has been translated in more than 20 languages, including French and Chinese.

In 1939, Armenia was celebrating the 1000th anniversary of this epic poem and Yervand Khochar, one of the most prominent Armenian artists, agreed to create the statue in a very short time -- 18 days. Khochar, who had  just repatriated to Armenia leaving the rich avant-garde community in Paris, had been exhibited there next to Picasso and other modernist pioneers. Two years later, he was accused of being “an enemy of the people” as his statue was looking at “our brother Turkey with a naked sword”. He was imprisoned and the statue was destroyed. The statue you see today was created in 1957 when he was again a renowned artist in Armenia. Interesting, right?

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Railway Station

AMD

free

Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Yerevan guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Yerevan

Hraparak-Metro

Hraparak Metro – Soviet Shdevr

It truly is a Soviet masterpiece considering its unique design and build: it is part metro station, part cavern and, once upon a time, part cafe.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Alan

Grigorian

Feb 4, 2025
Homeland-Handycrafts

Homeland Handycrafts – Armenian fair trade

"Homeland Handycrafts" in Yerevan is a social enterprise designed to revive traditional Armenian crafts while employing the most vulnerable population...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Raffi

Elliott

Feb 4, 2025
Open-Air-Cinema

Open Air Cinema – Constructivism alive

The "Open Air Cinema" in Yerevan in Moscow Cinema has a rich history, and Soviet ruin-porn enthusiasts can access the building all-year round, too!

008-ticket
Cinema

By

Raffi

Elliott

Feb 4, 2025
Millennial-Park

Millennial Park – Celebrating 2800 years of Yerevan

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Raffi

Elliott

Feb 4, 2025
Hanrapetutyan-Street

Hanrapetutyan Street – Beautiful old architecture

"Hanrapetutyan Street" in Yerevan is one of the most central in the city, yet there is so much to see here. The buildings are really beautiful and old...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Sofia

Manukyan

Feb 3, 2025
Ardean

Ardēan – Embracing art

"Ardēan": a center for art, architecture and design that has its gallery shop on Abovyan street in Yerevan. I like how they combine technology & tradition.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

By

Arpi

Ohanyan

Feb 3, 2025
Mermaids-of-the-Underground

Mermaids of the Underground – Or Soviet nudity

The "Mermaids of the Underground" in Yerevan is a sculpture from 1981. The mermaids wear nothing but their hair, which was quite unusual for its time...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Vahagn

Vardumyan

Feb 3, 2025
Komitas-Museum

Komitas Museum – Music in the air

The "Komitas Museum" in Yerevan is one of my favorite ones in the city. It gets me thinking about what Armenian music really is about...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Arpi

Ohanyan

Feb 3, 2025
Shengavit

Shengavit – A 6000-year-old town in Yerevan!

"Shengavit" is an impressive 6000-year-old settlement which is preserved even better than Yerevan's old town! It was an accidental discovery in the 1930s.

002-building
Art & culture

By

Vahagn

Vardumyan

Feb 3, 2025
Melancholia

Melancholia – Timeless art

"Melancholia" is a statue in Yerevan that truly expresses the feeling that has been increasingly affecting humankind in the last century...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Arpi

Ohanyan

Feb 3, 2025
Cross-stone-Makers

Cross-stone Makers – Talking stones

The "Cross-stone Makers" in Yerevan follow a tradition that goes back to 879 AD. The masters' metal tools on the stone create a meditative sound for me...

002-building
Art & culture

By

Arpi

Ohanyan

Feb 3, 2025
Calumet-Ethnic-Lounge-Bar

Calumet Ethnic Lounge Bar – Smoky yet colorful

"Calumet Ethnic Lounge Bar": THE place for good music in Yerevan. I don't come as often as I'd like to because of the smoke, but it's a must at least once.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Sofia

Manukyan

Feb 3, 2025

Just €9.99!

Heading to Art & culture?

0 Insider Tips from Locals

Authentic Stories

Escape the Crowds

Full Access to our Art & culture Blog & App!

Just €9.99

Going to Art & culture?

0 Hidden Gems only Locals know

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

✓ Full Access to the Art & culture City Blog & App!

Our team loves Yerevan

Get to know our other Spotters from Yerevan

As featured on: