Travel in Armenia

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).