Charents' Arch: A Window to Ararat

Charents' Arch, also known as the Arch of Charents or Arch of Ararat, is a monument and popular tourist attraction located in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, near the village of Voghjaberd. Built in 1957, the arch is dedicated to the renowned Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents and provides a breathtaking, framed view of Mount Ararat, the eternal symbol of Armenia. The arch was designed by architect Rafayel Israyelian, who also created other iconic Armenian landmarks such as the Mother Armenia monument and the Ararat Brandy Company. Israyelian chose basalt for the exterior and native orange tuff for the interior. The monument's rectangular shape measures 5.5 x 10 meters with a height of 5 meters, and the arch itself has a radius of 3.5 meters. Visitors can ascend a stairway to reach the arch, with benches nearby to pause and appreciate the scenery. The arch features a quote from Charents' poem "I Love My Sweet Armenia's...", which reads: "There is no summit as snow-white as that of lofty Ararat; Like an inaccessible path to glory, I love my Mount Masis!". The location was one of Charents' favorite spots, adding to the monument's significance. Some historians believe the arch is one of the first monuments to honor a victim of the Great Purge, as Charents' works were banned and he died imprisoned in 1937. At 1,500 meters above sea level, the arch provides a cool respite during the hot summer months, drawing both tourists and locals. The site serves as a gateway to Mount Ararat and a testament to Armenian patriotism.