Vartanants Square
Vartanants Square or Vardanants Square, is the large central town square in Gyumri, Armenia. It is bordered by the Abovyan street from the west, Gai street from the north, Shahumyan street from the east and Vahan Cheraz street from the south. It has a rectangular shape.
The square was known as the May Uprising Square, named after the failed Bolshevik uprising against the Dashnak government of the First Republic of Armenia in May 1920. The square was opened during the 1930s under the Soviet rule, based on the original plan of Alexander Tamanian and the revised plan of D. Chislian.Description
The square is decorated with several fountains with a memorial to the Battle of Avarayr at the central part. The memorial was erected in 2008 and includes a group of historic Armenian figures who led the Armenian army's campaign against Sassanid Persia. The equestrian statue of Vartan Mamikonian is erected at the centre of the memorial. The other four statues depict the Catholicos Hovsep I of Armenia, Ghevond Yerets, V. Mamikonian's mother and the prince Arshavir II of Kamsarakan.
On 25 June 2016, Pope Francis delivered a Holy Mass at the Vartanants Square. Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II also took part in the ceremony.Buildings around the square
The square is surrounded with many significant buildings:
