Tumanyan Park in Yerevan
Tumanyan Park in Yerevan is a seven-hectare green space on the edge of Hrazdan Gorge, between the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies and Kievyan Bridge. Locals often call it TUMO Park, although its official name honours the Armenian poet and writer Hovhannes Tumanyan.
This is less a formal tourist attraction than a place to experience everyday Yerevan. Families come for picnics, children use the playgrounds, teenagers meet after classes at TUMO, and walkers and cyclists follow the paths through the park. It is a pleasant choice when you want shade, open lawns and a quieter atmosphere away from the busy city centre.
| Location | Ajapnyak district, beside Hrazdan Gorge |
| Also known as | TUMO Park |
| Opened | 1970 |
| Area | 7 hectares |
| Named after | Hovhannes Tumanyan |
| Main features | Sculptures, playgrounds, sports areas, walking paths and picnic shelters |
| Admission | Free |
| Opening hours | Open 24 hours |
| Time to allow | About 45–90 minutes; longer with children or a picnic |
Why Visit Tumanyan Park in Yerevan?
Tumanyan Park is worth visiting if you want to see a more relaxed and residential side of the Armenian capital. It does not have major monuments or museums, but it offers something different from the formal squares and busy streets of central Yerevan.
The park is particularly suitable for families with children, local-style picnics, an evening walk or a break during a longer city route. Trees provide useful shade in summer, while the open lawns and sports areas give the park an informal, neighbourhood atmosphere.
Some entrances and paths are sloped because the park lies beside the gorge. Families using a stroller can visit, but the terrain is not completely level throughout the park.
Hovhannes Tumanyan and the History of the Park
Hovhannes Tumanyan (1869–1923) was one of Armenia’s most important poets and writers. His poems, stories and fairy tales are deeply connected with Armenian folklore and village life, and many of his characters are familiar to Armenian readers from childhood.
Tumanyan Park opened in 1970 to commemorate the centenary of the writer’s birth. Its location was chosen in the Ajapnyak district, beside the Hrazdan River gorge and what is now known as Kievyan Bridge.
In 1973, sculptures of Anush and Saro—the central characters of Tumanyan’s tragic poem Anush—were installed in the park. A sculpture of Loretsi Sako, another character from Tumanyan’s work, followed in 1986.
The park was renovated in 2009–2010, with new landscaping, paths, irrigation and recreational areas. The opening of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies beside the park in 2011 brought more young people to the area and helped establish the popular name “TUMO Park.”
What to See and Do
Sculptures of Tumanyan’s Characters
The sculptures of Anush, Saro and Loretsi Sako are the park’s main cultural features. Visitors unfamiliar with Tumanyan’s writing may see them simply as expressive figures among the trees, but for Armenians they represent well-known characters from national literature.
Hrazdan Gorge and Kievyan Bridge
The park stands beside Hrazdan Gorge, giving it a landscape quite different from parks in central Yerevan. From different parts of the grounds, you can see the large arch of Kievyan Bridge, officially called the Great Hrazdan Bridge.
The Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex stands on the opposite side of the gorge and forms another prominent part of the view.
Playgrounds and Sports Areas
Tumanyan Park has children’s playgrounds, football and basketball areas, and paths used for walking and cycling. Its lawns are also popular for informal games, exercise and frisbee.
The park works well for families who want to spend an hour or two outdoors without leaving the city. Parents should still supervise young children near sloping paths and the edges of the gorge.
Picnics and Relaxing in the Shade
Picnic shelters and shaded areas are spread around the grounds. The park becomes especially lively during summer evenings, when families and groups of friends gather after the daytime heat begins to ease.
There are no ticketed attractions inside the park. Fountain operation and some recreational facilities may depend on the season and maintenance schedule.
TUMO Center Next to the Park
The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies stands at the northern end of Tumanyan Park. It is a free educational centre where teenagers study subjects such as programming, animation, design, filmmaking, music and digital media.
TUMO is a separate organisation rather than part of the park. The building has nevertheless become so closely associated with the area that many residents now refer to Tumanyan Park simply as TUMO Park.
Travellers should not assume that all areas of the educational centre are open for casual visits. If you specifically want to see the building or learn about its programmes, check the current visitor information with TUMO in advance.
How to Get to Tumanyan Park
Tumanyan Park is located in the Ajapnyak district, outside Yerevan’s main central walking area.
By taxi or car: Enter “Tumanyan Park” or “TUMO Center for Creative Technologies” as the destination. The most convenient access points are near the TUMO building on Halabyan Street and close to Kievyan Bridge.
By public transport: City buses serve Halabyan Street and the area around the TUMO stop. Routes can change, so check a current transport or map application before travelling.
From central Yerevan: A taxi or pre-arranged car is generally more practical than walking. The travel time depends on traffic and your starting point.
Admission to the park is free, and the public grounds are accessible throughout the day.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable weather for walking and picnics. The park is green during spring, while September and October usually provide pleasant temperatures for spending time outdoors.
In summer, visit in the morning or after approximately 18:00, when the park is cooler and more active. Midday can still be hot, even with the shade from the trees.
Allow about 45–90 minutes for an ordinary walk. Families using the playgrounds or visitors planning a picnic may comfortably spend two or three hours here.
What to See Nearby
- TUMO Center for Creative Technologies — directly beside the northern end of the park;
- Kievyan Bridge — the large arch bridge at the southern side of the park;
- Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex — on the opposite side of Hrazdan Gorge;
- Hrazdan Gorge — one of Yerevan’s most distinctive natural landscapes.
These places form a relaxed local route, but Tumanyan Park is some distance from the main concentration of attractions around Republic Square, the Opera House and the Cascade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Include Tumanyan Park in a Yerevan Route
Tumanyan Park is easy to visit independently. If you would like to combine it with the Cascade, Victory Park, Republic Square and other city landmarks, it can be added to a private Yerevan city tour by prior arrangement.
For a flexible route with several stops and waiting time, you can also book a car with a driver in Yerevan.