Statue of Anania Shirakatsi

The statue is dedicated to the great 7th-century Armenian scholar Anania Shirakatsi, a philosopher, astronomer and mathematician. He continued the traditions of ancient science and paid great attention to experiment and observation. Shirakatsi defended the idea that the Earth is spherical, explained the causes of solar and lunar eclipses, and criticised astrology and superstitions.

Among his important works are the “Cosmography”, the “Theory of the Calendar”, “On the Motion of the Heavens” and the “Arithmetic”.

The stone statue shows the bearded scholar in a cloak. He holds a sphere in one hand and raises the other to his chin.