Speaking about the cities of Armenia, our compatriots, at best, will be able to remember only one of them - Yerevan. Meanwhile, there are about 50 cities in Armenia, 45 of which are small (population up to 50 thousand people) and medium (population from 50 to 100 thousand people). And only in 3 largest cities - Yerevan, Vanadzor and Gyumri - the population exceeds the one hundred thousandth threshold. However, even tiny cities by Russian standards can cause genuine interest and surprise among travelers in Armenia.
Necessary
- - international passport,
- - a route drawn up in advance,
- - cash.
Instructions
Step 1
The city of Sevan is located at an altitude of 1900 meters above sea level, 200 meters from the lake of the same name. The settlement, on the site of which the city is now located, was founded by Russian settlers in 1842 and was called Elenovka. In 1935 the village was renamed Sevan, and in 1961 it received the status of a city. One of the attractions of Sevan is the Sevanavank monastery located nearby. It was erected at the beginning of the 9th century and was considered a place where monks who had sinned were sent.
However, residents of the city, of course, consider Sevan to be the biggest attraction - one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in the Caucasus.
Step 2
Jermuk is known to many as a balneological resort. Located on the Arpa River, the city is surrounded by picturesque meadows, lakes and forests. Here is the Jermuk waterfall and mineral springs, the properties of which have been valued for more than one century. To this day, the production of the mineral water of the same name has been established here.
Currently, the city has actively begun to develop a tourist direction: after all, Jermuk and its environs are one of the most amazing and beautiful places in Armenia.
Step 3
Ashtarak is located near Yerevan on the banks of the Kasakh River and is considered one of the most ancient Armenian cities. It contains a large number of churches dating back to the first millennium of our era. For example, the Tsiranavor church was built on the bank of Kasakh in the 5th century. In addition to the main function, Tsiranavor was also used as a defensive structure - from the outside, the church was surrounded by a double ring of fortress walls.
Another architectural monument, the Karmravor Church, is of interest to many travelers. It was built 3 centuries later than Tsiranavor, but it is the only church in Armenia, the tiles of which have survived to this day in an unchanged state. In addition to these ancient churches, the city has preserved the churches of St. Marine, St. Sarkis and Spitakavor.
Today Ashtarak is mainly focused on the agricultural industry - there is a winery in the city, on the basis of which strong wines and sherry are created.
Step 4
Vagharshapat is located 30 kilometers from Yerevan on the Ararat plain. In the II century AD, King Vagharsh founded the capital on the site of the present city, which became the center of Greater Armenia. In 1945 the city was renamed Echmiadzin; in 1992, the former name was returned to it (but both are still used in everyday life). Vagharshapat or Echmiadzin is not only the historical, but also the religious center of all Armenia. It is considered the cradle of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The city has a monastery with the residence of the Catholicos (head of the Armenian Church), a cathedral and religious educational institutions.
Step 5
The city of Gyumri is located in the Shirak basin at an altitude of just over 1,500 meters above sea level. In ancient times, the place where the city is now spread had a different name - Kumayri. The first mentions of him in the annals date back to the 8th century BC. NS. The further history of Gyumri is not easy. In the middle of the XVI century. instead of the whole of Eastern Armenia, the city went to the Persian Empire, and at the beginning of the 19th century. after the Russian-Persian war, it became part of the Russian Empire. After Nicholas I visited Gyumri in 1837, the city was renamed Alexandropol; in the same year a Russian military fortress was laid. Today Gyumri is one of the 3 largest cities in Armenia, a center of history, industry, and a large transport hub.
