Thirty-nine letters on a hillside
Few monuments in Armenia are as immediately comprehensible — or as photographically joyful — as the Armenian Alphabet Monument above the village of Artashavan in Aragatsotn province. Thirty-nine large stone sculptures, each one a letter of the Armenian alphabet, stand in a loose arrangement on a hillside at around 1,500 metres, with Mount Aragats rising behind them. The letters were carved by sculptor Jim Torosyan and installed in 2005 to mark the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian writing system by the scholar-monk Mesrop Mashtots.
The Armenian alphabet was devised in 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots at the request of the King Vramshapuh and the Catholicos Sahak Partev. Before Mashtots, Armenian was written (when written at all) in Greek, Syriac, or Persian. The creation of a dedicated alphabet enabled the translation of the Bible into Armenian and, over the following century, the entire flourishing of classical Armenian literature — the “Golden Age” of Armenian letters. The alphabet has been used continuously for 1,620 years, making it one of the world’s most durable writing systems. All 38 original letters plus one added in the 12th century are represented in the monument.
Getting there from Yerevan
By car: From Yerevan, take the main Yerevan–Gyumri highway (M1) northwest. After about 35 km, turn right toward Artashavan village. The monument is signposted from the village and is about 3 km uphill on a paved road. Total distance from Yerevan: approximately 45 km, about 45 minutes.
On the Amberd route: The monument is typically visited as part of the Aragatsotn mountain circuit that includes Amberd fortress higher up the same road. From the alphabet monument, continue northeast and uphill for another 15 km to reach Amberd.
By guided tour: The monument is included in nearly all Aragatsotn day tours. Most operators label it “Alphabet Alley” or “Armenian Letters Monument”.
Public transport: No direct service. The closest marshrutka stop is in Artashavan village (reachable from Yerevan via the Aparan marshrutka, approximately 1 hour). A local taxi from the village to the monument site and back costs around 1,500–2,000 AMD.
What to see
The alphabet letters
Each letter is carved from tuff stone and stands approximately 1.5–3 metres tall, with some of the larger letters reaching the height of a small house. They are arranged across the hillside without strict geometric order — more like a garden installation than a formal grid — which makes wandering among them feel surprisingly engaging.
The carvings are detailed: each letter includes decorative elements inspired by medieval Armenian manuscript illumination, with interlace patterns, floral motifs, and occasional small human or animal figures incorporated into the stonework. This is not a simple sign post — it is skilled lapidary work that rewards close examination.
The bust of Mesrop Mashtots
At the upper end of the monument site stands a carved stone bust of Mesrop Mashtots himself — the monk-scholar who created the alphabet. The bust is stylised rather than portrait-realistic (no contemporary likeness of Mashtots exists), but it gives the site a focal point and contextualises the surrounding letters.
The landscape setting
The monument’s setting is as much of the attraction as the sculpture itself. The hillside faces southwest, giving views across the Ararat plain toward Mount Ararat on clear days. Behind the letters, the slopes of Mount Aragats rise. In May and June the surrounding meadows are covered in wildflowers — the contrast of carved stone letters against a wildflower hillside is one of the more memorable images in Aragatsotn.
How long to spend
The monument itself takes 20–30 minutes — long enough to walk among all 39 letters, photograph the highlights, and appreciate the setting. It is a compact site with no museum, no interior, and no additional facilities. Factor it in as part of a broader Aragatsotn day rather than treating it as a standalone destination.
The most natural combination is with Amberd fortress further up the mountain: visit the alphabet monument first (on the way up), then continue to Amberd, then return via the monument on the way down.
Combining with other sites
Amberd fortress (15 km northeast): Amberd fortress is a 15-minute drive uphill from the monument on the same road. Most visitors combine them in sequence. The contrast between the cultural monument and the medieval military fortress gives the day a satisfying range.
Byurakan observatory (8 km south): Byurakan observatory is just 8 km south of the alphabet monument and makes a natural second stop on the way back to Yerevan.
Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank (30 km north): Saghmosavank and Hovhannavank on the Kasakh gorge are 30 km north. Combining all four Aragatsotn sites — both monasteries, the alphabet monument, and Amberd — fills a full day comfortably.
Mount Aragats and Lake Kari (above Amberd): For those with a 4WD and a full day, the road continues above Amberd toward Lake Kari and the Aragats summit trailheads.
Tours and tickets
Entry to the monument is free. The site is open at all hours.
For an Aragatsotn circuit combining the monument, Amberd fortress, and Lake Kari: this full-day tour covers Alphabet Alley, Amberd fortress, Mount Aragats, and Lake Kari — the most comprehensive single-day exploration of upper Aragatsotn.
To combine the alphabet monument with Mount Aragats snow and monastery visits in a winter/spring circuit: this Armenia in one day tour covers monasteries, the Alphabet Monument, and Aragats snow in a single day.
Practical tips
- Photography: the letters photograph best in morning light (the site faces southwest) when the sun illuminates the carved surfaces. Late afternoon golden hour is also excellent
- Wind: the hillside is exposed — bring a wind layer even in summer, and a warm jacket in spring and autumn
- Ground conditions: the hillside is grassy and uneven between the letters; sensible footwear is recommended
- Children: an excellent site for children — the large letters are tactile, the scale is impressive, and there is space to run around. Children learning about Armenian culture find this one of the most engaging stops
- Facilities: no toilets or café at the site; use facilities in Artashavan village (3 km below)
- Winter access: the monument is accessible year-round, but the hillside can be snow-covered from December to March
Frequently asked questions about the Armenian alphabet monument
When was the Armenian alphabet created?
The Armenian alphabet was created in 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots, a scholar-monk born in the Taron region (present-day eastern Turkey). The alphabet enabled the translation of the Bible into Armenian, which was completed in 436 AD and is known as the “Queen of Translations” for its quality.
Why does the Armenian alphabet have 39 letters?
The original alphabet devised by Mashtots had 36 letters, specifically designed to represent all the sounds of the Armenian language. In the 12th century, three more letters were added to represent sounds that had evolved in spoken Armenian. The current Armenian alphabet of 38 letters (one of the 12th-century additions fell out of common use) is the version in daily use today. The monument represents all 38 used letters plus the one historical letter, totalling 39.
Is the monument a UNESCO site?
The monument itself is not UNESCO listed. The concept it commemorates — the Armenian alphabet and its role in cultural continuity — is central to Armenian identity, but the monument is a modern (2005) installation. The surrounding Aragatsotn region contains sites of genuine historical significance.
Who was Jim Torosyan?
Jim (Djim) Torosyan is an Armenian sculptor born in 1936 who has created several major monuments in Armenia. He is best known for this alphabet monument, completed in 2005 for the 1,600th anniversary of the alphabet’s creation.
Can I see Mount Ararat from the monument?
On clear days — particularly in spring before summer haze builds — Mount Ararat is visible to the south from the monument hillside. The view is not as unobstructed as from Khor Virap, but the combination of Ararat in the background with Aragats behind the letters makes for a remarkable photograph when conditions cooperate.