We saw a huge fresco inside this culture house

Despite the bad weather, I drove my sedan along the old asphalt road, carefully avoiding deep bumps at every turn, until I reached the village at 1,720 meters above sea level. The door of the culture house was locked, but through the glass we caught a glimpse of a huge fresco.

The facade of the building

Nearby, at a small shop owned by Sasun, he kindly called a villager to bring the keys. We entered with excitement, and there it was — a giant fresco right before our eyes. Its scale and presence were striking, and I could feel the energy it radiated.

The central part of the fresco depicts military commander Andranik Ozanian with his small group of militants. Although one should read the fresco from left to right, I guess... In the right corner, we see an Armenian church, a symbol of Christianity and belief. Next to it, we see Armenian girls, one of them with a newly born child. New life… Then, a child with a dagger hanging from his waist looks at Andranik and his friends with an inspired look. Following that, we see women and men dancing, while musicians playing. Behind them, Armenian landscapes and Mount Ararat are depicted. Luckily, the artists left their names and the date of creation on the fresco: A. Grigoryan and G. Azizyan, 1978.

The library, though in poor condition and badly in need of renovation, had its books neatly arranged according to the catalog, thanks to the two women who worked there. Local kids had access not only to Armenian authors but also to foreign classics.

I’m Suren, a professional urban explorer in Armenia. I offer unique urbex tours to abandoned, hidden, and off-the-map places you won’t find in guidebooks. Want a custom itinerary? Contact me on WhatsApp or Telegram.