We Are Our Mountains Monument

Address: Near Stepanakert (Khankendi), Nagorno-Karabakh/administrative region (coordinates approx. 39.8371 N, 46.76994 E)

Hours: Public outdoor monument - accessible year-round

We Are Our Mountains is a monumental rock sculpture located on a hill north of the city of Stepanakert in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It depicts two stylized elderly faces carved from native stone and is an emblematic symbol of the local mountain people.

The work was created by sculptor Sargis Baghdasaryan and completed in 1967. It has served as a cultural and civic landmark since its installation and is visible from the surrounding city.

The monument sits on a low hill overlooking the urban area of Stepanakert (Khankendi) and is easily visible from the city center.

• Local name: Commonly called “Tatik Papik” in the local language, the name is often translated as Grandmother and Grandfather and the monument functions as a civic emblem.

The monument sits on a hill overlooking the main settlement known as Stepanakert/Khankendi in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Access depends on political conditions and local border controls; check up-to-date travel advisories and local authorities before attempting to visit.

• Visit early morning or late afternoon for softer light on the stone faces and to avoid political demonstrations that sometimes occur near the monument.
• The figures are carved from local tuff in 1967 by Sargis Baghdasaryan - look for tool marks and the weathering pattern that gives the faces their craggy look.
• Be aware of local sensitivities and the contested status of the region; treat the site as a cultural landmark first and foremost.