Vahagn from Yerevan

About me I am currently working on long-term tourism development projects, mainly as a trail development specialist and ecotourism expert. I've worked on creation of hiking and mountain biking trails in a number of Protected Areas in Armenia. Currently, I am working on transboundary tourism packages and tourism management in protected areas. I am also involved with the Transcaucasian Trail i...

Oct 5, 2025

Vishapakar Yerevan

A prehistoric menhir

""Vishapakar" in Yerevan is a serpent-headed dragon stone, a menhir characteristic of the Armenian Highlands. I wish they would return it where it belongs."

This is real prehistoric Vishapakar (dragon stone) (check out the article) or a Vishap stella, standing in front of one of the government buildings in Yerevan. I pass by this mystical creature inherited from my ancestors every single day, because it's on my way to work.

This serpent-headed dragon stone is one of the enigmatic menhirs characteristic of the Armenian Highlands and can be found on high altitudes in many locations in Armenia. In the prehistoric past, in the time with no Google Maps, they were used as markers to show the location of water. There are a number of other meanings to them, most of which are unknown to us, and that’s a whole new blank page for the young historians, scientists, anthropologists and others alike, with passion for exploring, to research and find out more.

The word vishap is Iranian in origin, and its etymology is still disputed, either meaning a poisonous water-living creature or a creature of prodigious size. Whatever they are, they like staying where they were made, so hopefully this Vishap will be brought back to its original location one day, somewhere in the high mountains of the Armenian Highland, to keep showing the location of water. By the way, according to different scientific sources, it’s most likely about 3000-4000 years old, or even much older. And most likely he doesn’t enjoy being forced to guard a governmental building.

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Government House 3, Aram Street

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