The statue of David of Sasun, Equestrian monument in Yerevan, Armenia

The statue of David of Sassoun is a copper equestrian sculpture by Yervand Kochar, unveiled in 1959 on the square in front of Yerevan's railway station. The mounted hero, sword raised, stands 6.5 metres high on a low basalt base shaped like natural rock, set in the middle of a round reflecting pool. The small pedestal and the basin at the horse's feet carry symbolic meaning.

Yervand Kochar made the first gypsum statue in 18 days for the epic's 1000th anniversary in 1939; it stood before the railway station until it was destroyed after his arrest in June 1941. In 1957 the city council ordered a new version, which Kochar completed with changes, including the removal of the old Arab man beside David. The larger copper statue was unveiled on 3 December 1959.

The statue depicts a legendary Armenian hero from ancient stories who fought to protect common people. When you walk around the square, you notice how this old tale remains alive in the city and draws visitors interested in Armenian identity.

The monument sits directly near the railway station and is easy to reach while walking through the city center. The open square offers good sightlines and allows photographs from various positions around the water basin.

The statue weighs 3.5 tonnes, making it the heaviest monument in Yerevan. Its small pedestal stands for Armenia, while the cup beneath the horse's feet represents the patience of the people. The epic's heroes were water-born, so Kochar placed the statue in a pool.