Haghtanaki Boulevard: Andranik, Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life, Merkurov House-Museum

This tree lined boulevard will be your first entry point into Giumri if you come by car from Yerevan.  The Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life and Merkurov Museum are located at the south end of the boulevard, as is the large statue of Andranik mounted on a horse and collection of busts in the central median.

55. Andranik Statue  One of the leaders of the Freedom Fighter movement.  Andranik Ozanian was born in 1865 in Shapin-Garahisar. Trained as a carpenter, Andranik followed his father's trade until the age of seventeen, when he joined the Fedaiyi (Freedom Fighters), becoming a leader in the 1880s. Andranik led raids against Ottomans, who are reported to have said of the young firebrand, "bullets never touched the Pasha."

Leading forces against Turks during the genocide, Andranik encouraged Russian involvement and the invasion of Ottoman controlled Western Armenia. He repelled Turkish attempts to invade Southern Armenia and waged decisive victories in Zangezur (Siunik). Following the 1921 Kars Agreement which accepted the loss of Western Armenian territories to Turkey, Andranik went into exile.  He died in 1927 and is buried in Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

56. Row of Busts: Armenian Revolutionaries  The bronze busts commemorate famous Armenian freedom fighters: including busts of  Gevorg V (1847-1930, catholicos during Armenian Genocide and early Soviet era), D'ro D'rastamat  Kanahian (1884-1956, Armenian General during Armenian Genocide and Turkish invasion of 1918-1920), Garegin Nzhdeh (Ter-Harutiunian, 1886-1957, leader of Armenian resistance to Soviet domination and the ceding of Siunik/Zangezur to Turkish control), Nikol Duman (Ter-Hovhannissian, 1867-1919, leader of resistance in Baku and Yerevan during 1905 rebellion), and Soghomon Tehlirian (1896-1960, Armenian who in 1921 assassinated Talaat Pasha, one of the organizers of the Armenian Genocide.  A court found him innocent).

57. Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life in Giumri. The complex includes the Merkurov Studio and the Dzitoghtsian Home Museum.

The Dzitoghtsian Museum is located in a historic Giumri mansion built by the Dzitoghtsian family in 1872, which emigrated into Giumri from Dzitogh village in Western Armenia in the late 1800s. Wealthy members of the most prestigious guild in Giumri, the Dzitoghtsians lived their lives among the highest echelons of society and were true representatives of the Alexandropol Belle Époque. The museum collection illustrates the life and times of Alexandropol, especially during its golden era in the 19th century. Collections include contemporary artwork, carpets and urban artifacts from Alexandropol, and are a great way to get acquainted with the city's unique history. 

The Sergei Merkurov Museum. The collection forms the house museum of the famed Giumretsi sculptor best known for creating the statue of Lenin that used to loom over Republic Square in Yerevan. The statue was considered one of the best representations of the father of Russian Communism.  The collection includes an extensive collection of death masks of famous Soviet leaders.

The text for this walking tour was edited by the Kumaiyri Preserve-Museum.