Lazarevs Obelisk

Lazarevs Obelisk is a four-sided column made of cast iron and marble located in Moscow's Basmanny District. The structure stands near the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages and features decorative surfaces across its sides.

The obelisk was erected in 1822 to honor the Lazarev brothers who founded an institution dedicated to studying Eastern languages. The establishment of their school marked a growing Russian interest in understanding other cultures and regions during the early 1800s.

The monument connects to Moscow's Armenian community and their role in establishing an important center for learning. Local residents and scholars view it as a marker of the city's openness to diverse intellectual traditions and languages.

The obelisk sits along Armenian Lane in the Basmanny area and is easy to reach on foot from nearby streets. The location is accessible with good street-level visibility and clear surroundings that make it simple to spot.

The monument combines cast iron and marble in a way that demonstrates 19th-century craftsmanship and technical skill. This material pairing was noteworthy for its time and shows how builders experimented with different materials to create lasting monuments.

Location: Basmanny District

Inception: 1822

Made from material: cast iron, marble

Part of: Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages

GPS coordinates: 55.76037,37.63505

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:00