Armenian Alphabet Monument

The Armenian Alphabet Monument stands in an open field near the village of Artashavan, on the slopes of Mount Aragats. Created in 2005 by architect Jim Torosyan, it celebrates the 1,600th anniversary of the Armenian alphabet, devised by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 AD. The monument consists of 39 large stone sculptures, one for each letter, carved from local tuff and arranged across the hillside. Statues of notable Armenian figures stand among them. It is a popular roadside stop with sweeping views, especially meaningful given the central place the alphabet holds in Armenian identity.