Lyon Park, Yerevan
July 2011 (reopened)
Lyon Park (Armenian: Լիոնի այգի, romanized: Lioni agyi), popularly known as Tokhmakh Park (Armenian: Թոխմախի այգի), is a public park in the Armenian capital of Yerevan. It occupies an area of 17 hectares in the eastern Erebuni District of the capital city. It is home to an artificial lake called Vardavar, covering an area of 8 hectares.
Description
In 2010–2011, the park was entirely renovated by the direct assistance of the Lyon City Council. It was reopened in July 2011 with the presence of the mayor of Lyon Gérard Collomb and then-mayor of Yerevan Karen Karapetyan. The park was renamed after the city of Lyon to become a symbol of the partnership between the two cities.[1]
The artificial lake dates back to the period of king Argishti I of Urartu in the 8th century BC. In 1578, the lake was renovated by the Safavid governor of Yerevan Mohammad Khan Tokhmaq, and since then it has been known as Tokhmakh Lake. During the Soviet period, the lake was renamed Komsomol Lake (Komeritmiut’yan lich), after the youth wing of the Communist Party. The lake was renamed Vardavar in 2000.[2]
The lake, with a water surface of 8 hectares, is frequently used for windsurfing.
Gallery
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Vardavar_lake4%2C_Yerevan.jpg/900px-Vardavar_lake4%2C_Yerevan.jpg)
- The main entrance to the park
- At the park
- Dusk time
- Vardavar lake
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- v
- t
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notable landmarks
- Shengavit archaeological site
- Erebuni Fortress
- Teishebaini archaeological site
- Tsiranavor Church of Avan
- Katoghike Church
- Red Bridge
- Zoravor Church
- Saint John the Baptist Church
- Blue Mosque
- Mordechai Navi Synagogue
- Saint Sarkis Cathedral
- Holy Mother of God Russian Church
- Saint Gregory Cathedral
- Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory
- Yerevan Brandy Factory
- Mother Armenia
- Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial
- Yerevan Cascade
- Yerevan TV Tower
- Komitas Pantheon
- Yerablur Military Pantheon
- Elite Plaza Center
and recreation
- National Library
- National Archives
- Khnko Aper Children's Library
- Avetik Isahakyan Central Library
- Yerevan Opera
- Sundukyan Theatre
- H. Tumanyan Puppet Theatre
- Stanislavski Russian Theatre
- Paronyan Musical Comedy Theatre
- H. Ghaplanyan Drama Theatre
- Komitas Chamber Music House
- Moscow Cinema
- Nairi Cinema
- Yerevan Circus
- National Gallery of Armenia
- Yerevan Vernissage
- National Centre for Aesthetics
- History Museum of Armenia
- Charents Museum of Literature
- Yerevan History Museum
- Matenadaran
- Erebuni Museum
- Modern Art Museum
- House-Museum of A. Khachaturian
- Silva Kaputikyan House-Museum
- Yeghishe Charents House-Museum
- Sergei Parajanov Museum
- Ara Sargsyan and Hakob Kojoyan Museum
- Near East Art Museum
- Cafesjian Museum of Art
- ARF History Museum
- Aznavour Centre
- Komitas Museum
- Armenian Railways Museum
- Yerevan State University
- National University of Architecture and Construction
- State Medical University
- State Pedagogical University
- Komitas State Conservatory
- National Agrarian University
- National Polytechnic University
- Brusov State University of Languages
- State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography
- Institute of Physical Culture and Sport
- State Academy of Fine Arts
- State University of Economics
- Crisis Management State Academy
- Haybusak University
- American University of Armenia
- French University in Armenia
- Russian-Armenian University
- Vazgen Sargsyan Military University
- PhysMath School
- Mkhitar Sebastatsi School
- Anatole France French School
- QSI School
- Avedisian School
- Ayb School
- Chinese-Armenian Friendship School
- European University of Armenia
- Eurasia International University
- French University in Armenia
and technology
and bridges