Charles Aznavour Square and Moscow Cinema
Why is it significant?
You have entered Charles Aznavour Square, an intimate semicircular cultural gathering place named in 2001 to honor the legendary French-Armenian chansonnier and National Hero of Armenia.
Key Facts
| Place | Charles Aznavour Square and Moscow Cinema |
|---|---|
| Address | Charles Aznavour Square, Yerevan, Armenia |
| Geo Coordinates | 40.18180, 44.51800 |
| Part of Walk | Kentron: Republic Square, Northern Avenue, and the Opera |
| Generated | Generated |
You have entered Charles Aznavour Square, an intimate semicircular cultural gathering place named in 2001 to honor the legendary French-Armenian chansonnier and National Hero of Armenia. The architectural centerpiece of the square is the iconic two-screen Moscow Cinema, constructed in 1936 by prominent architects Tiran Yerkanyan and Gevorg Kochar upon the site where the fifth-century Church of Saints Paul and Peter once stood before its demolition during the Soviet anti-religious campaigns.
The cinema's facade exemplifies Soviet constructivism and early Art Deco, featuring an expansive curved terrace decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from classic Soviet and Armenian motion pictures. Opposite stands the historic Grand Hotel Yerevan, erected in 1926 by architect Nikolai Buniatyan. Clad in black tufa with neoclassical arches, this historic hotel hosted literary giants such as Osip Mandelstam, William Saroyan, and poet Yeghishe Charents during their extended visits to the capital.
In the center of the plaza bubbles the Zodiac Fountain, designed in the 1980s by sculptor Arsham Shahinyan with bronze zodiac symbols encircled by playful water jets. Flanking the fountain are giant metal sculptures including a whimsically crafted bronze spider by Nur and a life-sized iron chess set commemorating Armenia's victories at three World Chess Olympiads. The outdoor cinema terrace serves as the red-carpet venue for the prestigious Golden Apricot International Film Festival every July.
Charles Aznavour Square radiates creative energy: live jazz frequently drifts from cafe verandas, painters sketch portraits by the fountain, and locals gather under shady trees for leisurely evening chats. The giant outdoor chess set invites spirited matches between local masters, while the surrounding cafe terraces buzz with lively conversations in Armenian, French, and English, accompanied by the gentle clinking of coffee cups and the laughter of evening promenaders celebrating the city's proud artistic heritage.
Head west from the square and step onto the broad pedestrian promenade of Northern Avenue.