The Armenian Genocide Monument

The Armenian Genocide Monument, located in Yerevan, Armenia, is a memorial dedicated to the 1.5 million victims of a systematic extermination campaign led by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923. It stands as a reminder of the horror of the Armenian Genocide, when Ottoman forces killed hundreds of thousands of Armenian citizens in campaigns of deportation and extermination. The monument itself is shaped like a broken wing to symbolize the loss of life, and is made up of twelve giant jagged stone slabs that together form a large circle. Surrounding the memorial are twelve tall, slender pillars, each of which is topped with a symbolic flame. At the center of the circle is a typical Armenian khachkar, or cross stone, plus a dove carrying an olive branch- the symbol of peace. Armenian Genocide Monument is a popular tourist destination for visitors wanting to pay respect and honor those who lost their lives during the Ottoman regime.