Armenia. Capital – Yerevan. Armenia – the oldest Christian state in the world.Beautiful mountainous landscapes, numerous cultural and historical monuments and good wine make Armenia an interesting and attractive to tourists.
Armenia - a landlocked state in the Caucasus. It is located in a mountainous area between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. The territory of the State covers an area of 29800 square meters. km and a population of approximately 3 million people. Armenia – a mountainous country, 90% of the area lies at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak – it is extinct volcano Aragats (4090 m), located close to the Biblical Ararat. The largest lake – the lake Sevan, situated at an altitude of about 1900 m east of Yerevan, with an area of approximately 940 square meters. km.
Armenia was converted to Christianity as early as 3 century, the country is repeatedly captured by the Romans, Persians, Arabs, Mongols and Russian. Each era has left its traces, so the number of historical and cultural monuments, the country may be considered one of the most interesting in the Old World. The main attractions are in the vicinity of the capital – Yerevan – one of the oldest cities in the world. By number of museum exhibitions Yerevan can compete with any world capital. There is a vast museum complex, which combines the Art Gallery of Armenia, Historical Museum, Museum of Literature and Art, Museum of the Revolution and the Small Philharmonic Hall. In addition, interesting museum of history of Yerevan, the Museum of Russian Art, the Museum of Ethnography, the house-museum of the famous composer Aram Khachaturian, the house-museum of the famous Armenian painter Martiros Saryan, Museum of Contemporary Art, Folk Art Museum and many others. We must also mention the Matenadaran, which saved more than 17,000 manuscripts, which belong to the Middle Ages and valuable. In the city a huge number of churches and cathedrals. Huge interest is, of course, Echmiadzin – the center of the Armenian Gregorian Church, “the heart of Armenia and the residence of the Catholicos. No less interesting is the monastery Kecharis.
At 15 kilometers east of Yerevan is an impregnable fortress of Garni, the former summer residence of Armenian kings. A 30 km north-west of the capital lies the town Ashtarak, a church Karmravor. Nearby, on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, stands the fortress Amberd, former tribal ownership Pahlavuni princes and one of the few remaining castles of the country.South-east of the country is beautiful for its magnificent mountain landscapes. Alpine valleys and plateaus, narrow gorges, wild rivers, small lakes and picturesque settlement, literally clinging to the hillsides – that’s the main attractions of the area. There are such famous historical monuments, as Shatinvank monastery, the church St. Zorats, ruins Galidzor, Noravank Abbey with burial kind Orbelian, cave settlements Bartsravane, Keres, and Khndzoresk Shinuhayr and Jermuk resort with its famous mineral waters warm and protected plane- grove in the valley of the river Tsav.
The symbol of the country is the cross-stone, Armenian cross. These stone crosses in abundance all over the country, symbolizes the suffering, blood and sacrifices, which demanded the history of this ancient people.Khachkars can be found in the wall of temples, and ancient cemeteries, and even in the courtyards of apartment houses. Across the country, scattered over thousands of other unique historical and architectural monuments of past centuries, which, undoubtedly, are worthy of attention.
Yerevan – the capital of Armenia. In the Russian transcription until 1936 – “Erivan”. Located on the Left Bank (on the Araks River) part of the Ararat valley. Population: 1,356,000 (2005). Altitude: from 900 to 1300 m, part of the city is located on the volcanic plateau to the north of the Ararat valley.Yerevan – one of the oldest cities in the world. It is the same age as Babylon and Rome. Year of foundation of the city is 782 BC – it was then that the king Argishti founded the fortress of Erebuni. However, people have lived here long before the founding of the city. The city Archeologists found ancient settlements IV-III millennium BC. The oldest of them – Shengavit. 
Armenian legend created the basis of Yerevan to Noah, displaying the name of the city of exclamations: “Yerevantsi” (She appeared!), Allegedly made by Noah, when the water was exposed tip Ararat. This is an example of so-called. folk etymology. Year of foundation Yerevan conventionally considered the foundation year Urartian Erebuni – 782 BC. Oe. situated on the northern outskirts of Yerevan today, although no data indicating the existence of a meaningful settlement on the location of the city from the IV century BC. Oe.of III century Mr. Oe. According to rock cuneiform chronicle in Van, Urartian king Argishti I in the fifth year of his reign, built a city of Erebuni. The inscription on a stone slab found in 1950 on the hill of Arin-Berd allowed equate it with a mound of Erebuni. The inscription reads: “the greatness of God Khaldi Argishti son Menua, this mighty fortress built; established its name for the country’s power Erebuni Biaina and to intimidate the enemy country. The land was barren, the mighty things I have done here …” A century later, the administrative and political center of the field has movedthe fortress Teishebaini based King Rusa II in the south-western outskirts of modern Yerevan, but Teishebaini was destroyed, apparently by the Scythians, during the fall of Urartu (590 BC-e. e).. Erebuni same continued to exist in the Persian era, there for example, found miletckie coins minted around 478 BC. e. Apparently, at the same time in the Armenian language to pronounce his name started as Erevuni, with the transition [b]> [v]. There are hypotheses, however unsubstantiated, that Erevuni was the center of the Persian satrap Eastern Armenia.
For the IV. BC. Oe. -III in. Mr. Oe. archaeological sites are practically absent.The mention of Yerevan (and exist in it Manichean and Christian communities) see in a Sogdian Manichaean text of the III century, which showed that one of the disciples of Mani founded the Manichaean community, along with Christian. According to the inscriptions, in the proposed Yerevan rules a “ruler”, which, according to researchers, means the presence there of the fortress, which was headed by a local ruler. In the V. was built from the oldest churches in Yerevan – The Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Petros Pogos, demolished in 1931). The settlement was in gavar (county) Ayraratskoy Kotayk province of Great Armenia, 20 kilometers from its political and spiritual capital Vagarshapat (Echmiadzin).
Camoe earliest mention of the city in the Armenian sources – in the “Book of Letters” – refers to the year 607, when a Daniel Yerevan mentioned among the Armenian clergy who remained faithful to the decisions of the Council of Chalcedon. More Yerevan mentioned in connection with the Arab conquest: in August 650, he was besieged by the Arabs, but to no avail. The city fell under the power of the Arabs in 658 year. In 660, there occurred anti-Arab rebellion. With the fall of the Arab government and the restoration of statehood, the city was part of the Kingdom of Ani Bagratid; in the XI century it was conquered by the Seljuks. In the XIV century the city population was probably 15-20 thousand people, but the defeat by Tamerlane in 1387 paid him a heavy blow. During the reign of Kara Goyunlu and Goyunlu Yerevan was an important cultural center, but that until 1441 its management remained in the hands of Armenians.
In XVI-XVII centuries, Yerevan, as well as the entire region, served scene of devastating Iranian-Turkish wars, had a serious impact on the demography of the region. At a time when the Armenian population decimated, deported and taken into captivity in the region not only spontaneously but also deliberately settled by the Turkmen nomadic tribes, where local rulers were seen as its mainstay Thus, according to AA-K and Bakikhanov, “Shah Ismail (Safavi) moved from Iraq Bayat tribe part in Erivan, as part of Derbend Shabran and to strengthen local rulers.
During the struggle between the Ottoman Empire and Persia, Armenia 14 times from hand to hand. At the beginning of XVI century the city took Shah Ismail Safavi. In 1554 two hundred thousand Turkish army invaded and ravaged Armenia, while cutting the large number of people. In 1580 the city was taken by troops of the Turkish Vizier Lala Mustafa Pasha, who sacked Yerevan and captured 60,000 Christians and Muslims. Successor as commander, Farhat Pasha in 1582 built a new fortress in the city. The fortress was almost square in shape – the length of 850 m, width of 790 m, with three sides surrounded by a double wall, and only on the west side – a steep bank of the River. Razdan wall was single. The fort was equipped with three gates: Tabriz to the south, Independence (upon finding the square in front of them, a gate Yaila) to the north and Bridge – towards a river. Before Maidana gate was a large suburb – the so-called “old town” red bridge over the river, which led out the gate Bridge, was built in 1679, he was covered built on a platform to strengthen Kechigala. In 1604, the fortress was captured by Shah Abbas.
However, in the face of the Turkish counter-offensive, which he did not feel able to resist, Abbas at the end of the same in 1604, according to the Armenian historian of the XVII century Arakel Davrizhetsi, “ordered the eviction of all residents of Armenia – and the Christians and Jews, and Moslems – in Persia that the Ottomans came, would have found the country deserted. Conclusion of the population of Yerevan was charged Amirguna Khan. “The Persian troops sent to evict people, raised, chased him out of the villages and towns, and burned and mercilessly burned all the settlements, houses and habitations. Persians, however, managed to secure for themselves the Eastern Armenia, and, according to Gouvea:
… During the non-durable, the city was rebuilt and again occupied, but this time magometanamai, not Christians the Armenians, whom the king carried away deep into Persia … In 1635, the city was again captured by the Turks, but several months later after a long siege, retaken by the Persians. On the Turkish-Persian peace agreement in 1639 finally became a part of Persia.With the collapse of the Safavid Empire, Armenia was again taken by the Turks (1723). After 10 years the city was returned to Nadir Shah. 
In Persia was the center of Yerevan beglerbegstva, whose ruler bore the title of Sardar, since 1747 – Khan. In Erivan khanate and its capital Muslims (Persians, Turco-Mongols and Kurds) constituted 80% of the population, Armenians – 20% and lived mainly in Yerevan and villages. Armenians dominated the craft and trade area and were of great importance for the Persian administration. Supervisors of Armenians in Yerevan was born Melikov Agamalyanov. Malik had a full administrative and judicial power over the local Armenians, except the right to impose the death penalty (which had only Sirdar). The city was divided into three quarters (waving): two Muslim and one Armenian. Armenian quarter known as Conde, he was located in the north-western part of the city it was located four oldest Armenian churches in the city (there have been 10). There also was a luxury, surrounded by a garden palace Melikov Agamalyanov. Evliya Çelebi counted in 2060, covered with clay houses; the time as the Russian conquest (1827) the city had 1,700 houses, 850 shops, 89 mosques, 7 churches, 10 baths, 7 large caravanserais, 5 squares (Maidanov) 2 Bazaar, and 2 schools. As a result of wars, by 1804 the population of Yerevan was reduced to 6 thousand people, but by 1827 the city population was over 20 thousand.
During the first Russian-Persian War, Yerevan fortress was precipitated twice, unsuccessfully, Russian (in 1804 Tsitsianov and in 1808 Gudovich).October 5, 1827 Yerevan was captured troops Paskiewich (received for it the title of Count Erivan), in the next year under the terms of peace Turkmanchai Erivan khanate was incorporated into the Russian Empire.Erivan was the capital of the Armenian region (from 1849 – Erivan Province).
The fifteenth article Turkmanchai peace treaty allowed for the Armenians – a subject of Persia – go for the Arax – the new frontier of the Russian Empire.Residents of villages adjacent Turkmachayu, Maragheh, Tabriz Armenians from khanates Salmasskogo, Khoysky, Urmia moved into the Caucasus.Only 3.5 per month over 8 thousand Armenian families, most of whom settled in Karabakh, Nakhichevan and Erivan areas crossed the borders of Transcaucasia. On the other hand, part of the Muslim population went to Persia.
The departure of the Muslim population in Persia and, conversely, is not as significant migration of Armenians from Persia, the total population decreased to 12,000, while the proportion of Armenians had reached 40%.
By the beginning of XX century city’s population had risen to 29,033, of them Muslims (Tatars, Kurds, Persians) – 49%, Armenian – 48%, Russian – 2%.The town had 8 churches (6 Armenian Orthodox, and 2) and 7 Shiite mosques. The oldest of the churches, Peter and Paul Church was built in the V century, is also made at the church Katoghike XII century.; Zoravar Church (1691-1705) was famous for being there, according to legend was buried Apostle Ananias.
From Erivan mosques survived Guseinali Khan (Blue Mosque), 1776), recently restored by Iranian artists.
Despite being the capital of the province, Erivan retains the form of poor provincial-eastern city, with a one-two-story adobe houses, narrow winding streets. Serdarov Palace and fortress lay in ruins, from the production, were only Brandy and brick factories and a few small factories. In 1902, through Erivan was the first railway line connecting it with Aleksandropol (Gyumri) and Tiflis, in 1908 a second line connected it with Julfa and Persia, which contributed to its economic development. In 1912, industry turnover was 847.7 thousand rubles., Of which 600.9 thousand rubles. accounted for winemaking. The city had a gymnasium, gymnasia and female seminary.
In May 1918, Erivan became the capital of the Republic of Armenia. In early December 1920 Erivan was occupied by the Red Army, February 18, 1921 as a result of a nationwide uprising Soviet regime was toppled, but on April 2 the Red Army re-entered in Yerevan, which is 70 years old Soviet power was established.
When the Soviet government began large-scale reconstruction of Yerevan, conducted in 1924, designed by Alexander Tamanyan, to establish a special national style, using elements of traditional church architecture and tuff as a building material. During the renovation, the city has totally changed my view, almost all of the previously constructed buildings were destroyed (among them – the fortress, whose stone went on lining the quay, Serdar Palace, almost all churches and mosques). Were built new streets, Yerevan was electrified, running water and sewerage. Plantations on the surrounding hills away with dust storms, the former scourge of the old Erivan.
Architectural ensemble of the new center of Yerevan was Lenin Square (now – the Republic). On the square, there are two of the Government House (1926-41, AI, and GA Tamanian and 1955, S. Safarian, VA Arevshatyan, RS Israelyan) Historical Museum of Armenia, the hotel “ Armenia, the building of the Ministry of Communications and the Council of Trade Unions (all three MV Grigoryan, EA Sarapyan, 1956-1958). Among the major public buildings, determining the appearance of Yerevan: Opera and Ballet Theatre. AA Spendiarova (1926-39, architect. AI Tamanyan, completed in 1953), Central Market Hall (1952, architect. GG Aghababyan, engineer AA Arakslyan), complex Brandy Factory (1952 , arch. Markarian OS), the repository of ancient manuscripts of Matenadaran (1959, architect. MV Grigoryan), Theatre. Sundukian (1965, architects RB Alaverdyan, R. A. Badalyan), Museum of Yerevan (1968, architects Sh.R. Azatian, B. A. Arzoumanian, sculptor A. Harutyunyan), monuments David Sasun (1959, sculptor J. S. Kochar) and victims of 1915 Genocide (1967, architects AA Tarkhanian, SG Qalashyan). In 1968 a Museum of Erebuni, on the history of Erebuni and Teishebaini.
Since the beginning of 1988 in Yerevan on the square at the Opera House begins mass rallies of the Karabakh movement, which grew into a movement for independence. At the end of that year the city forced emigrovalo Muslim, mostly consisting of the Azerbaijani population, before they appeared in the city of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan. In the early twentieth century, in Erivan was 10 (according to the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh – 6) “unspeakable” (in the words of Wikipedia “Iranika”) churches and 7 Shiite mosques. In the early 1930′s. most of them were destroyed. In place of the demolished churches were built cinemas and schools, in particular in 1931, was destroyed by the oldest church in Yerevan, Peter and Paul (V in.) – In its place was built kinotetar “Moscow”.Miraculously escaped destruction and bell XII century. From the mosques today preserved only mosque Guseinali Khan (Blue Mosque), 1776), restored the Persians. Among demolished in early 1930. monuments as Khan’s palace, whose memory is preserved in the drawings of the artist G. Gagarin, and the ruins of the Turkish fortress.
Original and beautiful area of Yerevan, in particular, the area of the Republic.She built up a monumental, deeply domestic facilities. Here are the government buildings, “Armenia” hotel, the building where the art gallery, museums. On the wall of Government House, his eyes set on the square are the town bells. The building has a national flavor. The columns and arches on the facades of buildings are richly decorated with fine carvings, which used the motif of ancient Armenian ornament. All the other buildings in the area subject to the general plan. There is also a fountain with light. The square is adjacent a small boulevard, where in 1968 were installed in 2750 a small fountain, symbolizing the age of the city of Yerevan. Dramatically beautiful building of the Opera and Ballet Theatre. Spendiarian, Sports and Concert Complex, Youth Palace, the House of chess, the Academy of Sciences, Matenadaran, the University’s many theaters, cinemas and hotels. In Yerevan, a lot of monuments and memorials. Places for them are chosen with great care, they combine perfectly with the surrounding landscape. In the center of the station square erected a monument to the hero of the Armenian national epic David Sasun. On the hill park Tsitsernakaberd monument to the victims of genocide in 1915. The monument consists of 12 arranged in a circle and bowed slightly toward the center pylon. Near sorokametrovy obelisk in the form of a double-peaked pyramid.
The park was built Haghtanak Mother Armenia statue, depicting a woman with a sword in his hand, personifies the image of the motherland. In different parts of the city are monuments and revolutionary leaders, and prominent writers, artists. At Tetralnoy area there are monuments to the poet and composer Toumanian Cpendiaryanu, the Concert Hall – composer Aram Khachatrian, the circular boulevard are monuments to the poet Teryanu, classical Armenian literature, poet Isaakyanu, painter Aivazovsky, a revolutionary writer and Nalbandian Griboyedov. On opening day, where young artists exhibit their paintings, a monument to the artist Saryan, carved from white marble, and in front of the Conservatory – Komitas. In the central part of the city is a monument to the great architect – the architect Tamanian, which is shown bent over a drawing board. Yerevan has several active churches. They are all built on the site of churches, previously destroyed by the earthquake in 1679. Among them, the Church of St. Sarkis, Katohike, Zoravar, St. Hovhannes and others. In 2001, in Yerevan to the 1700 anniversary of Christianity in Armenia was erected a magnificent temple of Gregory the Illuminator.
Having been in Yerevan, you can see many interesting and surprising.Yerevan’s many museums, among them such as the Historical Museum, National Gallery of Armenia, the Museum of Modern Art, house museums Saryan Parajanov Tumanyan Spendiarova and others in Yerevan is the repository of ancient manuscripts – Matenadaran, which raised more than sixteen thousand manuscripts different sizes and ages.
Rpublic Square – the central area of the city, created by architect A. Tamanyan in 1926 and until 1991 carried the name of Lenin. The area is famous for its monumental architecture in a deeply traditional style. Study area is a combination of two geometric shapes: oval and trapezoid. The architectural ensemble of the square consists of five buildings. The eastern and western sides symmetrically located in Armenia, Government House and Home Ministries. On the wall of Government House, his eyes set on the square are the town bells. The building has a national flavor. The columns and arches on the facades of buildings are richly decorated with fine carvings, which used the motif of ancient Armenian ornament. Rounding out the track of the hotel «Mariott Armenia», Post House and the building of the Museum complex, in front of which are fountains, light glowed at night with colored light effects. The oval part of the area has a beautiful mosaic paintings.
The square is adjacent a small boulevard, where in 1968 were installed in 2750 a small fountain, symbolizing the age of the city of Yerevan.
Tags: Yerevan
The State Museum of Armenian History was founded in 1921 and is a member of the Museum complex on the Republic Square, occupying the first two floors. The museum collection contains about 400,000 items. The permanent exhibition covers the entire history of the Armenian people – from the days of primitive society to the present day.
The museum exhibits artifacts found during excavations of monuments of different eras – the cultural objects of the Armenian people from the Paleolithic to the end of XIX century. This is – guns of primitive man, weapons and utensils of the times of Urartu and Armenian states, sculpture, jewelry, and handicrafts of different historical regions of Armenia. The museum has an extensive library (about 50,000 volumes), many of which are unique issues: among them – the first printed book “Urbatagirk” (“Friday Book”), published in 1512 in Venice.
Picture Gallery, the country is a large museum complex in the Republic Square. This is – one of the largest museums in the territory of the CIS, and on assembly of the Armenian art – the largest in the world. The funds of the Art Gallery of Armenia holds more than 20,000 works of art. Gallery includes four divisions: Western European paintings, Russian art, Armenian art and graphics department. Foundation Western Division has more than 350 paintings and drawings. It also stores well-known paintings of Western European masters as Chagall, Rubens, Courbet, Kandinsky, the famous Russian artists – Repin, Briullov Surikov, Petrov – Vodkin, and Western Armenian painters – Garzou, Fetvadzhyana, Orakyana and many others. The museum presents the most complete collection of paintings by Aivazovsky.Basically, it exhibits that were nationalized in the collections of museums in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the gifts of the Armenian collectors.
Such unique structures not found anywhere else in the FSU. At first glance it is difficult to define its genre affiliation: it is not a monument or building. Let’s just say Cascade – a peculiar ornament of the city in the form of the original architectural composition. Resembles a huge tiered pyramid of Babel Grand Cascade – a system of huge staircases, beautifully connecting lying in the hollow center of the city and residential area, located high in the mountains. All together it looks like a spectacular modernist sculpture of gigantic proportions. Huge stairwells with fountains rise up the hill, crowned by an obelisk Restored in Armenia.
Cascade Construction was started in the 70 years, but never completed.Cascade unfinished. The plan is top of the ladder should rest in the observation deck of the Victory Park. But it lacks just 20 meters … Finished scale construction prevented the Karabakh war, then the blockade of the city, etc.
Cascade is located in the very beginning of the street after the architect Tamanyan. At the foot of the Cascade is a monument Tamanian who leant on his master plan. A monument stands not far from amusing sculpture “Black Cat” the famous South American painter and sculptor Fernando Botero.
Ancient Yerevan starts from the hill of Arin-Berd in south-east of Yerevan, where archeologists have restored the ruins of the ancient fortress of Erebuni, which gave the once city life. Even before the first half of the twentieth century no one knew the whereabouts of Erebuni. Only in 1950, during the exploration of Arin-Berd, it was found that in this area about 100 hectares of ancient urban settlements are covered with a thick layer of alluvial soil. Almost in the center of the city stands a powerful citadel. Also in the middle of XX century was discovered inscription of Argishti I, which, as it turned out, after decryption, is a document to build a fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC.
Historians have found that the citadel of ancient Urartu – Erebuni is the first major military-strategic center of the country in the Ararat plain. The fortress was surrounded by thick walls in three rows and is an architectural complex with the palace, religious and economic structures. North-west side facing the Ararat valley, was occupied by the palace of the king and the temple.South-eastern and south-western part of the citadel were given commercial buildings. In the center area. In the palace there were two court, around which housed large halls ceremonial rooms, living rooms and king rooms for servants. The first courtyard was grand, built up a colonnade with a gallery is adjacent to the palace temple of sushi with the altar. Most of the buildings of the citadel was built of adobe bricks. Partly preserved height of the walls suggests that in that distant era, they have reached 12 meters. The walls, both outside and inside were plastered. The facades were painted in blue.Remains of multicolored murals suggest that Urartu richly painted walls of multi-figure compositions and floral ornaments. Along with the palace, an important place in the citadel occupied the temple of the god Haldi – the main triad of gods Urartian pantheon: Haldi, Teysheba, Shivini.
On the rich interior decoration of palaces and temples show the beautiful and magnificent frescoes on religious and secular themes: hunting, farm work. The walls of the temples were decorated with murals with scenes of sacrifice and the procession of the gods. Frescoes are valuable examples of art of the ancient state of Urartu.
Gyumri – the second largest city in Armenia, located in 126 kilometers from Yerevan, the Shirak plateau, east of the river Akhuryan. Center Shirak Marz.Modern Gyumri, has retained the features of the ancient city, situated at an altitude of 1550 meters above sea level, in the north-western part of Armenia. Located in the 8-9 point seismic zone. Gyumri crossed gorges Cherkez, Jajur etc.
Terrain – flat, covered with lakes, rivers and lava arrays with a capacity of 350 meters. Steppe vegetation. In river valleys grow acacia, maple, ash and other arid climate. The winters are very cold – up to -41 degrees Celsius.Summer relatively hot: up to 36. During the year, falling a little bit of rain (average 500 mm). The air is different medicinal properties. During the year, Gyumri receives about 2500 hours of sunlight and heat. Surrounding Gyumri rich building materials – tuff, basalt, diatomite, clay, as well as fertile black soil. A straight line from Gyumri to the Black Sea – 196 km.
According to the Armenian historiography ottsu Movsesy Khorenatsi (V century), the grandson of Hayk Nahapet Aramais many children sent his son, glutton Shara, along with his entire family and the economy in the near fertile black box. The latter was located at the northern foot of Mount Aragats.There plenty of water flowed. That land of plenty named after him – Chirac. It is known that the settlement where now located in Gyumri in the old days was called Kumayri. This name is usually associated with the name of the Cimmerians – tribes, invaded the western coast of the Black Sea with the East European Plain (VIII century BC. E.). About Kumayri already mentioned in VII-VI centuries. BC. Oe. renowned Greek military commander and historian Xenophon. In the Armenian bibliography Kumayri (the ancient name of Gyumri) was first mentioned in connection with the rebellion of 773-775 years, directed against Arab domination. In the Middle Ages Kumayri – a large settlement
In 1804, during the Russian-Persian war of 1804-1813 years Kumayri is part of the Russian Empire. In 1837, in Gyumri lays Russian fortress, in the same year he visited Nicholas I, the town was renamed in honor of Oleksandropil his wife Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. In 1840 Gyumri was officially proclaimed a city in 1850, became the center of the county Alexandropol Erivan Province. Oleksandropil, as border fortress city, soon became also a significant center of trade and crafts. In 1899, in connection with the construction of railway lines Tiflis-Alexandropol, then Oleksandropil-Yerevan, continued in 1906 to Julfa continue to Tabriz, Alexandropol became one of the important railway junctions. This was a turning point in the socio-economic and cultural life. In pre-Soviet period Oleksandropil was primarily a craft town. In Aleksandropol were plenty of shops, big and small shops and markets.
By the end of XIX century the city was inhabited by 32,000 people. After Tiflis and Baku, Alexandropol considered the third, largest and most important, trade and cultural center of the Caucasus. During this period, in Gyumri, there were about 10 schools and colleges. In the struggle for the establishment of Soviet power in Armenia occupies a special place May Rising railroad and depot workers Gyumri in 1920. Its leaders were Bagrat Gharibjanyan, Yegor Sevyan, Sarkis Musaelyan (shot). In 1924 he became the Soviet Oleksandropil was renamed Leninakan, and after independence, Armenia regained its historical name – Gyumri. Strongly affected by the disastrous Spitak earthquake in December 1988.
The town has five churches, one monastery and one Orthodox chapel. The most magnificent and historically important of these is the Church Amenaprkich (Vsespasitelya). The construction of the church began in 1859 and was completed in 1873. The Church has suffered greatly from the 1988 earthquake and is currently being restored.
Presumably, not far from the city of Gyumri was born the world-famous mathematician and astronomer, Ananias (Hananiah), Shirak (615). Also in Gyumri born composers Nikogaos and Armen Tigranyan, art Karekin Levonian (son ashug Jivani), People’s Artist of USSR Armyanckoy Shara Tallán, singer and actor Henrik Alaverdyan, Academician of Armenia Gevorg Gharibjanyan Andranik Shahinian, Aleksandr Hakobyan, Khachatur Koshtoyan Sergei Ambartsumian, Ruben dawn. C XIX century was called the city of Gyumri of poets and minstrels, crafts and arts. Gyumri-known musical and theatrical center, first Armenian opera (“Anush” by A. Tigranyan) was placed in the Municipal Theater of Gyumri. Gyumri – birthplace of illustrious Entertainers, witty anecdotes of heroes (Poloz Mukuch, harp Alec, Helar Simon Serozh, Vardanik, etc.).
Living in Gyumri are known for their sharp sense of humor (Gyumri, in some sense be called the capital of the “Armenian humor), traditionalism, hard work and ambition. In the city railway junction. Light, engineering and foodstuffs industries. Pedagogical Institute. Two of the theater. History Museum. Gallery. Historical and Architectural Reserve “Gyumri”. In Gyumri is 102-I The Russian military base.
Gyumri – the administrative center and second largest city of Armenia with a complex history, rich cultural heritage and urban traditions. Among the attractions of Gyumri various museums, theaters, churches and unique grocery market in the open.
In the vicinity of Gyumri is still attractive and picturesque landscapes, areas of archaeological excavations, well preserved and many ancient temples and monasteries, including the ruins of Gyumri (XIX cent.) Monastic complex Harichavank (VII-XIII cc.) Monastery Marmashen (988 -1029 years.) Cathedral in the former capital of the kingdom Bagratunies – Ani (XI cent.), the ruins of the Basilica of V century Anipemza and the famous monastery Harich (summer residence of the Catholicos, VII cent.) with the church Astvatsatsin (XII-XIII cc.) . Harich Monastery (7-13 century) was built of huge stones of various hues. Harich for centuries was the summer residence of Armenian Catholicos.
No less interesting ruins Loriberd (X-XII cc.) Near Stepanavan excavated settlements III millennium BC. Oe. About Vanadzor, the monastery Horakert (XII-XIII cc.), the ensemble Sanahin Monastery (presumably the IX.) and a unique Sanahin Bridge (XII century.) monastery in Haghpat (X cent.), the monastery Nor Getik or Goshavank (1188 ), monastery complex Haghartsin (XII-XIII cc.) monastery Makaravank (X cent.), etc. And, of course, deserves special attention famous resort Dilijan, lying in a beautiful wooded spurs of the mountain basin Aghstev.
Ttsak car (holey stone) – another famous monument, located in the town Toparli – represents a huge stone with a hole. According to legend, those who get through a otvrestie reach eternal happiness.
Also invited to visit the monuments:
Church 6. (Ruins) and the domed basilica Astvatsatsin (17.) – Both of tuff. In the mid-19 century. city has received regular planning. In Soviet times, the plans of 1925 (architect A. Tamanyan) and 1936-39 (architect MG Mazmanian, and others) in the central part of a system of areas of broad avenues.
According to the plan in 1960 (architect G. Isabskyan etc.) is formed radially-ring system layout with new squares, streets, squares, parks, continuing reconstruction of the center (street Aragats).
Also worth attention monument to Lenin (bronze, granite, 1954, the sculptor SD Merkurov, architect M. Grigorian) and the famous church of the city:
Church of the Virgin, Church of the Holy Nshan, Russian Chapel, Church of the Holy Akopov, Saviour, Church of St. Gregory.
Vanadzor – the third largest city of Armenia after Yerevan and Gyumri. The administrative center of marz of Lori. Located in the intermountain basin between Bazumskim and Pambak ridges at the confluence of the rivers Pambak, Tandzut and Vanadzor. The city is more than 25 square meters.km. City population – 107,394 people (2001), mostly Armenians. There is also a small number of Russian, Greek, Ukrainian. The city is located on the railway line Tbilisi-Gyumri. Development of chemical, machine building, light industry, there is a CHP.
Former title – Karaklis or Karakilis (“black church”), so named because in the city until 1828 there was a black church on the site which in 1831 was built new. In 1935, after the death of Kirov, the city was renamed to Vanadzor. The city got its present name in 1993
Distance to Yerevan 145 on the highway, 224 by rail.
The population of the city of Vanadzor is about 150 000 people. The city is located in the Lori region, Armenia. Formerly known as Vanadzor Vanadzor, after Sergei Kirov visited the city. Until 1935, the city was named Karakilisa, which means “black church”, because here there was an old black church that was destroyed in 1828 but in 1831 was built on the same site is new.
December 7, 1988 there was a terrible earthquake. The elements in the twinkling of an eye turned into ruins everything patiently, with love and for centuries was built Armenian people. But thanks to the patience, strength, love, the city again “alive”. After the earthquake, was rebuilt many buildings were built many homes, schools, shops, etc. And the city is re-living their ordinary, normal and prosperous life.
No data are available on the medieval settlement Karakilisa not survived. It is assumed that together with Gugark, settlements are located on the territory of Vanadzor, in the II century BC. AD was part of the Big Ike, and in the X century AD - Kyurikiyskogo kingdom. It is assumed that the name Karakilisa Tartar, which was given in the beginning of the XIII century.
Foreign conquerors – Persians, Turks, has repeatedly seized, looted and destroyed the city. In 1801, Laurie, along with Georgia joined Russia and became Kirovakan border garrison town. S1849, the Vanadzor entered the Yerevan province. The great educator of the Armenian people Kh shows that by 1820 there were only 500-600 Zhitlo, who moved from Yerevan. Later, in 1830, after the unification of Eastern Armenia to Russia, the city settled several hundred Armenian families who had migrated from the cities of Western Armenia – Kars, Ardahan, Erzurum and Bayazeta.
The city is located in the intermountain basin between Pambak Bazumskim and ridges, where the rivers merge Pambak and Tandzut, at an altitude of 1350 meters above sea level. In Vanadzor flow of three rivers – Tandzut, Pambak and Vanadzor. The climate is temperate and mild. Winter is relatively warm and summers are cool. The average winter temperature is -4.2 C, in summer about 20 C. The convenient geographical location and abundance of mineral water brought the city fame resort.
The city is rich in archaeological monuments.
Among the companies grow stronger cities include: chemical plants, chemical fiber plant of precision machines “Avtogenmash, Plant Automation”, knitted furniture and textile manufacturing associations of polymer adhesives.
In Vanadzor there is a school of painting, works of its most gifted students with demonstrated success at national, all-union and international exhibitions. The propaganda painting plays an important role local art gallery. One of the centers of cultural life of the city is the State Drama Theatre. Hovhannes Abelian. Composer Edward Kzartmyan created in the first music school. Vanadzor Music School trains for the whole of northern Armenia.
In Vanadzor are State Pedagogical Institute. Tumanyan, branches of the Yerevan State. Architectural University, statesman. Agricultural Academy, etc. Drama Theatre. Hovhannes Abelian, a puppet theater.
The modern city – a major industrial center of the republic. The leading role belongs to the chemical industry: chemical plant (production of mineral fertilizers, corundum, etc.), chemical fiber plant. Developed and Engineering (autogenous mills machinery, precision machinery, high-temperature heating), food (meat, etc. maslomolochny plants); textile knitting, sewing, spinning mills, building materials production. CHP.
On the territory and around the city – cyclopean structures 2 nd millennium BC. Oe. In Soviet times, Vanadzor – modern city with blocks of low-rise and high-rise buildings. Central City area (Kirov Square, the statue of Kirov, 1942, sculptor A. Sarksyan) built the public buildings, among them – the building of the city committee of the Communist Party of Armenia (1952-53, architect Z. Bakhshinyan) and residential buildings (1955 , architect A. Markarian). On the square Shaumyana – residential buildings 1960.Monument to the soldiers who fell in the Great Patriotic War (1967, sculptor A. Sarksyan, architects G. Hovsepian, A. Kanayan, A. Mirzoyan). Among the construction of the early 1970′s. - Department Store building (1972, architects S. Asoyan, R. Abrahamyan) Art Gallery (1972, The architect L. Khachatryan).
