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• Fact Monster - World - Kumayri, Armenia
• Lonely Planet - Gyumri, Armenia
• Official Site of the City of Gyumri, Armenia

Gyumri , city, western Armenia . It is believed to have been founded by the Greeks in 401 bce , but it did not have a continuous existence. A fortress was constructed on the site by the Russians in 1837, and in 1840 the town of Alexandropol was founded nearby. Alexandropol was a trading and administrative centre but subsequently underwent industrial development and was renamed Leninakan for the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in 1924. Leninakan was severely damaged by an earthquake that devastated northwestern Armenia on December 7, 1988. Almost all of the city’s multistory buildings collapsed, killing thousands and leaving many others homeless.

Gyumri is now the second city of Armenia in both industry and population and is the republic’s major textile centre. There are also engineering industries, including the manufacture of bicycles and scientific instruments, and food and other light industries, and the city is an important centre for machine building. There is a teacher-training institute. Pop. (2011) 121,976; (2022 est.) 111,200.

A Day in Gyumri: 10 Must-See Destinations in Armenia's Second City

#Culture and lifestyle

#Architecture

Exploring Gyumri: 10 Things to See in Armenia's Cultural Capital

Gyumri is Armenia’s second-largest city and its cultural capital. Dating back at least 5,000 years, Gyumri was part of multiple empires and was known throughout its history by different names, including Kumayri, Alexandrapol and Leninakan. 

The charming city boasts the best-preserved 19th century architecture in Armenia. You’ll feel its history and potential in fascinating juxtaposition. It’s a city of craftsmen, known for its friendly people and their sharp sense of humor. 

In this article, we will take a closer look at the top things to do and experience while you’re there. But we also recommend taking your time to enjoy Gyumri’s unique vibe and wander along its quaint avenues. Let the city surprise you!

1. Visit the Museums

There are an assortment of fascinating museums in Gyumri; some of them are situated in the homes of the famous residents they highlight. Visit the house-museums of authors Hovhannes Shiraz and Avetik Isahakyan, the Mher Mkrtchyan Museum dedicated to the life and work of Soviet-era actor “Frunzik” Mkrtchyan and the Aslamazyan Gallery, which displays the painted and ceramic works of sister artists Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan. At the latter, you can paint your own ceramic magnets.

The Dzitoghtsyan Museum, or the Museum of Urban Life and Culture, is one of the gems of Gyumri, preserving the feel of life from the 1800s. At that time, Gyumri was called Alexandrapol; it was a center of art, craft and culture. 

The museum is situated in the spacious home of one of the richest families of the time, a beautiful two story building made from red and black tuff. Inside, visitors can explore a 3D century cityscape of Alexandrapol, rugs, metalwork, historic clothing, musical instruments, rooms preserved in 19th century style and much, much more.

Newer attractions include the Museum of Illusions and the Topsy-Turvy Museum, which are especially fun for children. 

2. Explore the Kumayri Historical District

Step back in time by walking through some of Gyumri's oldest districts. You’ll find beautifully preserved 19th century buildings, cobblestone streets and intriguing courtyards in the Slabodka district, along Rustaveli Street, Gorki Street and Abovyan Street. Pay special attention to the gutters along the roofs of old homes downtown. Artisans in Gyumri were known for their intricate metalwork. 

We recommend exploring the restored Villa Kars, an intimate guest house with a courtyard and traditional wooden balconies. Originally, it was the home of a wealthy family. Now, the complex also boasts a beautiful ceramics studio with fine examples of locally designed dishware and artwork. 

Walk past the former girls’ gymnasium, the library, and famous balconies from Soviet-era films. The current Gyumri Technology Center is also worth a visit; it is located in the building of Armenia’s first university. 

3. Visit the Churches 

Gyumri has several beautiful churches in its city center, including Seven Wounds (“Yot Verk”), St. Nshan and All-Savior’s (“Amenaprkich”). The Seven Wounds church, constructed from black tuff stone, is distinctive for several reasons. During Soviet times, when almost all churches were closed, it remained open for services. When approaching the building, you can still see the domes which fell from the roof during the 1988 earthquake. St. Nshan is Gyumri’s oldest church, located on the city’s lovely Rustaveli Street. 

All-Savior’s Church was built between 1858 and 1873 under the leadership of architect Tadevos Andikyan. It is an exact copy of the cathedral in Ani, a former capital of Armenia, directly across the border from Gyumri. To create the architectural plan, Andikyan traveled every day from Gyumri to Ani by horse-drawn carriage. After major renovation works,  All-Savior’s reopened to the public in spring 2023.

Marmashen Monastery is located just outside of Gyumri near the village of Marmashen on the banks of the Akhuryan River. The complex’s five buildings date back to the 10th century; inscriptions on the walls of the primary church note that it was built between 986 and 1029 by Prince Vahram Pahlavuni. Take your time to feel the faith, history and craftsmanship in the walls and explore the engravings and cross-stones. Marmashen’s position on the banks of the river makes it a beautiful place for a picnic. Some tour companies also arrange kayaking excursions! 

4. Ride the Ferris Wheel 

Whether or not you have kids in tow, visit the Soviet-era amusement park in Gyumri’s central park. Ride the Ferris Wheel for an amazing panoramic view of the city and Mt. Aragats if the weather is clear. The park has lots of other fun rides, vantage points, statues, and wooded walking paths. The large red building you’ll see in the middle of the park is Tumo, a training center for creative technologies with multiple locations throughout Armenia. It is located in the renovated building of the theatre in which Armenia’s first opera – Anush – was performed.

5. Visit Mother Armenia and the Black Fortress

The Mother Armenia statue and park honors the victory of the Soviet Union in World War II. The complex is a pleasant two kilometer walk from Gyumri’s central park. When you reach it, enjoy boating at the small pond and explore the monuments to various cities of the Soviet Union. Then, walk up the grand stairway to the base of the statue, which personifies Armenia in female form. When looking at the statue from the front, you will clearly see a victorious woman; others claim that the backside resembles – although less obviously – an attacking dragon. 

Gyumri’s iconic Black Fortress (“Sev Berd”) is next door. Built in the 19th century from black tuff stone, the circular structure originally served as a military barracks and prison. Today, the restored fortress serves as a cultural and educational center, hosting various exhibitions, concerts, and events. There is a small museum inside. 

The view of the city from both Mother Armenia and the fortress is magnificent on a clear day!

6. Bargain in the Shuka 

You can be pretty sure to find the best prices for whatever’s on your grocery list at Gyumri’s colorful open marketplace (“shuka”). Shop for spices, nuts, dried fruits, pickled vegetables, freshly ground coffees, local cheeses, freshly butchered meats, and herbs and produce. You can also find clothing, souvenirs and an assortment of other items. In the shuka, it’s totally acceptable – and expected – to bargain. 

7. See a Play or Show

People from Gyumri are very proud of the famous Armenians who have hailed from their city, especially Soviet-era legend Mher “Frunzik'' Mkrtchyan. Visit his statue outside of the Vardan Ajemyan Theatre and check out the list of upcoming dramatic performances. You can also visit the Theatre of Reflections on Abovyan Street, which hosts smaller, more intimate performances. Just down the street, the Puppet Theater delights children of all ages. If you prefer music to drama, you can also explore classical and contemporary concerts throughout the city by visiting tomsarkgh.am.

8. Check out the Iron Fountain and Gyumri’s Statues

Gyumri's distinctive iron fountain was built in 1982 near the Polytechnic Institute. Created entirely from cast iron, it was designed by the famous architect Rafael Israelyan. The fountain stopped functioning in 1988; nevertheless, it’s worth visiting for its unique and intricate design created by mastermind Artur Tarkhanyan, the architect of the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex and Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan. 

Besides the fountain, there are many other monuments and structures worth visiting throughout the city. The statue dedicated to iconic 20th century singer-songwriter and diplomat Charles Aznavour is located at the square of the same name. Visit the statue of Armenian show-biz magnate Kirk Kirkorian on Abovyan Street, the monument to the textile factory workers on Garegin Nzhdeh Street, the monument to the victims of the earthquake behind All Savior’s Church, the statue of military leader Vartan Mamikonian on his hourse in the middle of the main square, and of course, the golden mushurba – a jug for drinking water specific to Gyumri – on Gorki Street!

9. Visit the Gyumri Beer Factory

The Gyumri Beer Factory is one of the largest in Armenia and a must-visit for beer lovers. Enjoy a tour of the factory and learn about the beer-making process. Make sure to taste some of the distinctive “Gyumri” brand light beer or “Alexandrapol” lager. While strolling downtown, admire the architecture of the old brewery building on Jivani Street in the Kumayri Historic District.

10. Try Local Food

Don’t leave Gyumri without trying local specialties. Taste chechil, a type of string cheese made and enjoyed in the Shirak region; panr khash, a comfort food made from chechil, lavash, onion, butter and boiled water; and kyalla, baked cow’s head, among other delicious dishes. Wash it all down with homemade fruit vodkas, flavored with peach, apricot, cornelian cherry or mulberry. 

Getting to Gyumri

It’s very easy to reach Gyumri from Yerevan; for a scenic and relaxed experience, take the train, which stops through multiple villages along the way. Otherwise, try a shared shuttle van or private taxi. It is also possible to reach Gyumri from Tbilisi on the transcaucasian railway or through a mini-bus. 

Published on June 26, 2023

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Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia, after the capital, Yerevan. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. Located in Shirak Province in the northwest part of Armenia, it is close to the border with Turkey, and not too far from Georgia either.

A brief history

The city has gone by many names. The first evidence of Gyumri was inscriptions from the time of the Urartian kingdom referring to “Kumayri”. This was its original name as far as we know. In the time of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, it was called Alexandrapol, named after Tsar Nikolas’ wife, Alexandra Fyodorovna. Later, Armenia became a member of the Soviet Union. Alexandrapol was then renamed Leninakan, after Vladimir Lenin. After the dissolution of the USSR, the First Republic of Armenia officially named the city Gyumri.

Gyumri has a historical reputation as being a center for arts.  Some of Armenia’s most famous writers were from Gyumri. Poets Avetik Isahakyan and Hovhannes Shiraz were both native Gyumretsis. There are museums in the city dedicated to these poets. The city has also been home to many painters, and still is. These days there are musical groups such as the Gohar Ensemble, and other orchestras and choirs, and a famous rock group called Bambir is from Gyumri.

Russia perhaps has a stronger influence in Gyumri than in other cities in Armenia. In 19th century Russian was already very widely spoken by the people in the city, and Russia had a military presence there. Even today, Russia’s military base in Armenia is located in Gyumri. Russian soldiers thus make up a small part of the population. Many kids go to Russian schools. Still, though, Armenian traditions and cultural values are just as strong in Gyumri as in any other place in Armenia.

The City Today

Today’s Gyumri, while still visibly damaged, nevertheless has beauty that shines through. You can see that there is still much leftover destruction from the 1988 earthquake, as a large percentage of its buildings were destroyed. However, you can still see how significant a city Gyumri was. The architecture is very unique and noteworthy. A main building component of the city’s structures is tuff, a volcanic rock. Many old significant buildings are made from black, red, or pink tuff. The designs and material appearance of the buildings is beautiful. Surprisingly, some of the areas in Gyumri that withstood the earthquake the most were streets of old buildings made in the traditional Gyumri style. You can learn a lot about how old Gyumri looked by walking around the streets. You can also visit the architecture museum and get a very detailed history.

A particularly impressive build in Gyumri is the Black Fortress, known in Armenian as Sev Berd. This was a Russian military base built in the 1830’s, shortly after Gyumri became part of the Russian Empire and was renamed “Alexandrapol”. It rests on top of a hill, very close to the border with Turkey. From Sev Berd, Russian troops defended Alexandrapol from several attempts by the Turks to besiege the city. Today the fortress is abandoned as a military outlet, and the inside is like a museum in which you can learn all about the time during the Russian Empire. Nowadays Sev Berd is used for many events including wedding receptions, parties, and even theater and musical performances.

The historical sites are not the only attraction of Gyumri today. There are also some very nice places that tourists can visit. On Rijkov Street, just off of the main Vardanants Square, has a number of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Herbs and Honey is a nice place to have tea and lunch. There is also a restaurant right in Vardanants Square called Old Armenia, in which they serve traditional food. Ponchik Monchik, a cafe restaurant, is found in two places in Gyumri. Locals enjoy going to these places, as well as the movie theater, right in Vardanants Square.

Gyumri / Photographer Ani Baghdasaryan

Traditionalism is strong here. Christianity is prevalent in all of Armenia, but especially in Gyumri. Churches make up some of the city’s largest and most significant structures, some of them in operation. Traditional Armenian customs are preserved by the citizens, who regularly practice hospitality, modesty, family values. People are very hard working, as this is required when living in this city. There is not a lot of work to be found right now, which is why many people move to Yerevan. But Gyumri still has many hard working citizens.

What does the future hold for Gyumri?

There is room for economic growth in Gyumri. One of the leading industries in the Armenian economy right now is IT. Gyumri is home to the Gyumri Technological Center (GTC), which holds the office of many tech companies working with people internationally. There are many talented and educated young people in Gyumri. There are youth centers that offer both younger and older kids to have a place to go to learn another language, take music lessons, and do things like poetry recitations, often for free. Many kids go to university, get a degree in a good profession and learn English. The people in general have an optimistic attitude. Many people find it easier to leave Gyumri and find opportunity elsewhere, but those who stay have strong characters. They have a lot to offer the rest of Armenia, and even other parts of the world.

The streets of Gyumri

Gyumri has gone through a number of difficult periods. Two earthquakes happened in the 20th century, and the effects of the 1988 one are still very evident. The city suffered from mass migration due to unsustainable living conditions and insufficient housing, plus a separation from Russia with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Despite all these recent hardships, there is hope for the city of Gyumri, as it is quite a significant and historical place. There is a lot of opportunity for tourism that is not being utilized at the moment. There are places ready to visits from foreigners, like Sev Berd and the museums, and there are places which will be interesting for visitors once they are ready, like the large, beautiful, old orange and black church in Vardanants Square.

What makes a city? Optimistic people, a willingness to support each other, and a strong sense of cultural values. This trumps the difficult recent history of destruction, migration, and poverty. It is still evident that the city is a solid society and can improve, and even thrive as an Armenian city.

One Day Cultural Tours in Armenia

One-Day Tour to Garni and Geghard

One-Day Tour to Tatev

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One-Day Tour to Dilijan

One-Day Tour to Aragats

One-Day Tour to Tsaghkadzor

One-Day Tour to Echmiadzin and Yereruyk

One-Day Tour to Dilijan and Sevan

One-Day Tour to Noravank and Tatev

One-Day Tour to Geghard, Garni, and Lake Sevan

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One-Day Cultural Tour Discovering the Wonders of Lori

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Interesting links.

A Day in Gyumri: A Guide to Armenia’s Second City

Last Updated on: 12th November 2020, 08:16 am

Gyumri, Armenia’s second city, is absent from most travelers’ itineraries. Admittedly, it wasn’t on mine until I realized I had an extra free day in the country. But I’m glad I went, as a walk around Gyumri is like stepping back into the 19th century. In this Gyumri guide, we’ll go over the top highlights in the city center along with nearby sites you shouldn’t miss, like the unique Black Fortress and the tranquil Marmashen Monastery.

With its origins dating back thousands of years to the Urartu period , Gyumri’s history is as old as Yerevan’s. Later, the city would be an important stronghold for the Persians, who took control in the 1500s and ruled for the next 300 years.

But much of Gyumri’s prominent architecture was built in the 19th century while the region was ruled by the Russian Empire. At the time, the city was called Alexandropole after Tsar Nicholas I’s wife, Alexandra Fyodorovna. Later during the Soviet era, the city changed its name again to Leninakan.

But few buildings from this era remain standing, as the concrete constructions couldn’t withstand the devastating earthquake of 1988. To this day, the city is still recovering, and evidence of the disaster can be seen on just about every block. Walking around Gyumri today, the contrast between the elegant black stone buildings and ruined apartment blocks is rather striking.

Central Gyumri can easily be explored independently. However, if you’re also hoping to visit some sites on the outskirts of town, such as the Black Fortress and Marmashen Monastery, it’s best to take a tour. Learn more below .

A Central Gyumri Guide

Central Gyumri is laidback and very walkable. The locations featured below are by no means all there is to see in Gyumri. But for those visiting as a day trip from Yerevan and who also want to see the Black Fortress and Marmashen Monastery, these central Gyumri locations are just about all you’d be able to fit into a single day.

Church of the Holy Savior

Our first stop for the day was Church of the Holy Savior, located on the southern side of the central Vartanants Square. One of the tallest buildings still standing in Gyumri, the church was consecrated in 1873.

On either side of it were a Greek Orthodox and a Catholic church, but local residents felt that an Armenian Apostolic Church ought to tower over the others. Therefore, many devout locals even chipped in for construction fees!

Designed by architect Tadeos Andikyan, the church’s style was influenced by the Cathedral of Ani, the largest building of the ancient Armenian capital (now just on the other side of the border in Turkey).

The Church of the Holy Savior was severely damaged by the 1988 earthquake which struck the city. But if it weren’t for the ruined original dome on display in the courtyard, first-time visitors would be none the wiser. 

The renovators have done an excellent job repairing the church while also maintaining its distinct 19th-century appearance.

Stepping inside, however, reveals an entirely different situation. The interior is far from complete, and still full of scaffolding, construction materials and dust. Most of the effort thus far seems to have been put into restoring the artwork around the new dome.

Considering how the Soviets used this building as a concert hall, it’s likely that the Church of the Holy Savior hasn’t seen any religious activity since the 1930s. Its eventual reopening then, will surely be a major event.

Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God (Our Lady of Seven Wounds)

Just on the opposite side of Vartanants Square, we visited the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, also locally known as ‘Our Lady of Seven Wounds.’ Constructed between 1873 and 1884, the cruciform-shaped church is home to the Diocese of Shirak Province.

Notably, this was one of the only cathedrals in Gyumri to remain active during Soviet rule.

While the cathedral belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church, the interior artwork bears resemblance to those of both Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches. 

Perhaps the multitude of styles were incorporated into the church because this was the only place where different Christian sects could pray.

The smaller domes that fell off in the 1988 earthquake are now placed outside. Overall, though, this church seems to be much better off than the Church of the Holy Savior.

Rizhkov Street

Just next to the church is the entrance to Rizhkov Street, Gyumri’s main pedestrian avenue and the city’s answer to Yerevan’s Northern Avenue . It’s named after Nikolai Rizhkhov, a former Soviet official who assisted with the post-1988 earthquake recovery.

This is where locals gather at restaurants on weekends or come to do their shopping. During lunchtime, I enjoyed some open-air seating outside an organic restaurant that conveniently had an English menu.

While most of the avenue is in pristine condition, some of the buildings have been left untouched since 1988, which makes for a remarkable contrast.

Walking the Streets

We continued walking the streets of central Gyumri, which I found to be a charming and laidback little city full of interesting architecture. While we didn’t have time to stop in any, Gyumri is home to a number of ‘house museums’ of famous poets, artists and actors. 

The Museum of Urban Life and National Architecture is also considered to be one of the city’s main highlights. But as we had two stops out of town on our itinerary, time wouldn’t allow for a visit. 

Speaking of architecture, one thing many of Gyumri’s classical buildings have in common is their color. In contrast to the ‘Pink City’ of Yerevan, Gyumri’s buildings are largely black. Most of the stone has been sourced from a nearby black tufa quarry to the west of town.

A walk around Gyumri provides an interesting glimpse into how Armenia would’ve looked in the 19th century, as many of the city’s most prominent structures date back to that time.  And with relatively little traffic, exploring the city on foot is a pleasure.

We also took a walk through Gyumri Central Park, established in the 1920s. Supposedly, Alexander Tamanian , the mastermind behind the urban layout and architecture of Yerevan, also oversaw some of the development of Gyumri. 

While not explicitly stated, perhaps he had a role in planning the large park, as he was clearly a fan of urban green spaces.

Though the park appears clean and well-maintained, certain areas offer morbid views of the disaster from which Armenia’s second city is still trying to recover.

The 1988 Earthquake

As mentioned above, Gyumri was struck by a devastating earthquake on December 7, 1988. A huge number of people were killed in the 6.8-magnitude quake, with estimates ranging from 25,000 – 55,000.

Many shoddily built Soviet-era buildings completely collapsed, as they were constructed during the USSR’s ‘era of stagnation.’ And while restoration efforts are a work in progress, central Gyumri still has entire blocks that appear untouched since ’88.

Our guide took us on a walk around one of these blocks. Seeing as how the buildings here hadn’t totally collapsed, this district probably fared better than many. 

One multistory building at the end of the road was under reconstruction, though fixing up the rest of the block will seemingly take years. 

But why is it taking so long to recover from an earthquake that happened over 30 years ago? Considering how it occurred just a few years before the collapse of the Soviet Union, it’s likely that a newly independent Armenia lacked the funds for a thorough recovery. 

Come to think of it, even Yerevan’s hallmark  Cascade Complex remains unfinished!

Interestingly, one of the areas still in recovery is an apartment courtyard that has featured prominently in Armenian cinema. While the significance was lost on me, the Armenian travelers on my tour were delighted to see the familiar scene.

The Black Fortress

Locally known as Sev Berd, the Black Fortress is situated on a hill outside of town. It was constructed in 1837, the same year Tsar Nicholas I changed the city’s name to Alexandropol.

The city, just near the border with the Ottoman Empire, was strategically important for the Russians in their various wars against the Ottomans. And while the Black Fortress never underwent a siege, perhaps its existence dissuaded enemy forces from attacking at all.

Russia still has a military base in Gyumri today, just nearby the Black Fortress. Feelings on the Russian presence seem to be mixed, but some residents fear that were the Russians to leave, they’d be vulnerable to a Turkish invasion.

Currently, the fortress’s interior has been stylishly redesigned and it serves as an event center. In fact, a wedding reception party was just beginning as we were leaving. 

Thankfully, modern additions were tastefully carried out, with the original architecture and other details having been left intact.

We were given several minutes to explore inside. I went up to the second floor and walked around the long circular hallway that stretches around the entire structure, though most of the rooms appeared to be vacant. 

As with Yerevan, Gyumri also has a Mother Armenia statue and it’s not too far from the fortress. Supposedly, there were even underground tunnels connecting the fortress with the statue!

Outside, take note of the graffiti carvings along the structure. They were carved by Russian soldiers serving at Sev Berd, who made sure to inscribe their names and hometowns.

The Black Fortress many not contain any mysteries, nor did it ever see any fighting. Nevertheless, the structure is simply cool to look at, and it offers some great views of the city, too. It’s well worth a visit if you’re already in Gyumri.

Marmashen Monastery

It wouldn’t be a proper day trip in Armenia without a visit to at least one ancient monastery. So before our return to Yerevan, we stopped at Marmashen Monastery, a peaceful complex of churches which dates back to over a thousand years ago.

Before hiking down to the churches, we stopped at rather peculiar spring. Water only comes out if a person places their left hand over the faucet, while nothing comes out if they use the right! (Or perhaps it’s the reverse – I can’t remember.)

I didn’t get the Armenian explanation of our guide, but I looked over to see that the spring is solar-powered, while there’s a quote on the sign that reads: ‘Every wife is her husband’s water spring, No other man is allowed to drink its water.’

Today, there are three main structures standing at Marmashen Monastery. The largest of them, Katoghike, was built in the 10th century. The church features a domed hall with four pylons, while the western side contains a gavit sepulcher.

Nearby to the south is a similar church called Holy Mother of God – essentially a smaller recreation. To the north, meanwhile, is another smaller church with its roof now missing.

The churches were reconstructed and rebuilt in the 13th century, and then again in 1900. Additionally, the monastery complex is home to ruins of other churches which archaeologists believe are about as old as the ones still standing.

The foundations of one of these ruined churches can still be seen in front of Katoghike. Notably, the bottom platform is circular, reminding me of the unique Zvartnots Cathedral near Etchmiadzin. 

Our group stepped inside Katoghike Church for a bit to admire the details. The restoration work here was handled by an Italian-Armenian couple who meticulously recreated the look and feel of the original.

And then to my surprise, our tour guide suddenly walked to the center of the room and started singing some beautiful Armenian church music. The church’s excellent acoustics really enhanced the celestial music’s power.

Marmashen Monastery is situated on the left bank of the Akhurian River. And following the performance, many of us went over for a view of the water, with the late afternoon sun making for perfect lighting conditions.

If you visit Marmashen Monastery, you may notice a cat wandering around the church grounds. A local man explained that as a kitten, all her siblings were killed by a fox, leaving her as the only survivor.

Despite the traumatic experience, the cat seems to be in good spirits. And she’s quite the attention seeker who’s more than happy to pose for a few photos.

Additional Info

Getting to Gyumri independently from Yerevan is easy enough. You can either take a marshrutka (minibus) or a train. Marshrutkas depart regularly from outside Zoravor Andranik metro station, and the ride lasts a few hours. The train, meanwhile, departs at 8am.

You can also get to Gyumri directly from Georgia, such as Tbilisi or other towns near the border.

While I’d been considering going there on my own, I also wanted to make sure to visit the Black Fortress and one of the main monasteries out of town. Even if I were to surpass the language barrier and strike a deal with a taxi driver in town, I estimated that the taxi fare to see the extra sites would come out to around the same as a group tour.

Therefore, I opted for the day tour with One Way Tour . They informed me that only an Armenian language tour would be available, but I didn’t mind as I was mainly concerned with transport.

Riding with the Armenian language tour was a unique experience. Unlike with the English/Russian tours, the driver was blasting Armenian folk songs (or at least modern renditions of them) for the entire day. 

It was rather annoying in the beginning, especially in the early morning, as I was hoping to do some reading on the bus.  But I got used to it by afternoon, and it was fun to see the passengers clapping and singing along.

While I couldn’t understand a thing the tour guide was saying all day, I was pleasantly surprised to find several English speakers on the tour with me. One woman was even kind enough to translate the important and interesting bits of information to me for most of the day!

For those who have the time, Gyumri seems like a laidback place to spend a night or two. As it has a railway station and numerous bus stops, it also serves as a convenient transport hub for getting around Armenia. Gyumri is a rather small city, but the closer you stay to Vartanants Square, the better.

For whatever reason, accommodation prices in Yerevan are considerably higher than those of nearby Tbilisi. This is in spite of most other things, like food and transport, costing the same amount. If budget isn’t an issue for you, then you should base yourself in the city center (within the circle or just outside of it).

Yerevan makes a great base from which to explore many other parts of Armenia. If you’re doing an extended stay in the city and want to save some money, staying outside the center will be fine. Just make sure that you’re within close distance of a metro station.

I stayed at Glide Hostel which I’d highly recommend for budget travelers. I opted for the private room with a private bathroom, but they also have some shared bathroom and dorm options available.

The guesthouse is located about 5 minutes on foot from Baregamutyun Station, the northernmost metro station. But you can still walk to the city center in about 30 minutes if the weather is nice. The staff were friendly and helpful, and a tasty breakfast was provided each morning.

Armenia and Artsakh T-shirts!

Shirak Marz

• 1 Introduction
• 5 Accommodations
• 7 Main Square overhaul
• 8 Armenians from Gyumri
• 9 Transport
• 11 Videos/DVDs about Gyumri
• 12 See also

Introduction

The city of Gyumri (officially 120,641 voters, briefly Kumayri, before that Leninakan, before that Alexandropol) is conspicuous for the large cemeteries, some full of the victims of the 1988 earthquake . Despite many well-intentioned efforts, the economy of the city remains a shambles ten years after the event. There is still a substantial international presence from various assistance projects. The past few years have seen noticeable progress in housing, as well as business, infrastructural and beautification efforts. As Armenia's largest old town, much of it showing earthquake damage, Gyumri provides the opportunity for very interesting walks. Gyumri's people had a great deal of pride in their city before the earthquake, which is today in large part replaced with despair at the lack of job opportunities.

The city is built on a north-south axis, with the center being very pedestrian friendly. The main square in fact has a couple of pedestrians-only streets leading away from it, two large churches anchoring the two ends, and fountains in the center. This used to be the big partly covered shuka (market) which was leveled by the Soviet government.

Until the Soviet expansion of Armenia's new capital of Yerevan, it was Gyumri, or Alexandropol as it was known as at the time that was the largest city of the republic. The older city architecture therefore is very nice. One of Armenia's more interesting characters was born here, George Gurdjieff . He was a spiritual leader who is virtually unknown in Armenia, but has a worldwide following. In 1926, League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Fridtjof Nansen , accompanied by his secretary, fellow Norwegian Vidkun Quisling of later dark repute, visited Gyumri and its huge complex of schools and orphanages sheltering 11,000 Armenian orphans under the auspices of the American Near East Relief.

The main square has a pair of churches, one standing, one a distinguished ruin awaiting reconstruction. There is a reputable European-style hotel, a well-reputed regional museum plus a city museum, the Russian Alexandropol fortress of 1834 on the W side of town, and probably more for the curious urban explorer, though Gyumri was battered in 1926 by a previous earthquake as well. Inside the city limits are several important archaeological sites. By the fortress is the Sev Ghul Chalcolithic through Iron Age settlement. Near the meat factory (by the train tracks) was excavated an Early Iron Age settlement/cemetery. Near the stadium, another Iron Age site had stone molds and a smelter for metal casting. In the NE part of Gyumri, on a hill in the area known as Vardbach, excavations revealed a Roman-period cemetery lying over a Bronze Age settlement. There is a medieval settlement with ruined 7th c. church that has been excavated in the Botanical Gardens. The city was site of a major Russian Army garrison and fortress since its conquest in 1804, a role it continues to play even today. The few thousand Russian troops still based in Armenia serve as a reminder that Russia would intervene militarily were Turkey to invade Armenia. Pending the unlikely event of an invasion, the Russian troops grow potatoes and find other ways to stay alive.

There is a very worthwhile city museum, with a good overview of the towns history, architecture, and cultural treasures. There are some Carzous and Aivazovskis hidden in this museum as well.

The only real attraction very nearby is Marmashen Monastery . Much further south, on the old highway to Yerevan (which is not in good shape) you can pre-arrange for a viewing of the ruins of Ani, from the Armenian side of the border, and a bit further south is the very nice Yereruyk Basilica , perched on the Armenian border with Turkey. The area surrounding the not so far town of Artik has its own set of attractions, including the impressive Harichavank Monastery , plus other sites such as Lmbatavank Church , Garnahovit Church , and others. If you can get permission to go behind the military line and visit Ani Overlook , where the extensive ruins of a Medieval Armenian capital across the river in Turkey are clearly visible, it is well worth the terrible road.

At an even higher elevation than Yerevan , Gyumri is a nice and cool change of pace in the summer, but the winter is longer and colder. The area is dry, much like the Ararat Valley.

Accommodations

Both the Berlin [1] and the Isuz are very comfortable, new, western hotels. My personal favorite is the Berlin though for its lower price and its proximity to the main square. In recent years many new hotel options have become available in addition to these two.

There are many excellent choices for food in Gyumri, all at very reasonable prices. Both the Berlin and Isuz Hotels have great food. The Berlin has more traditional choices, while the Isuz has great pizza in the complex, as well as other dishes. The city museum also has good food at good prices, in an incredible atmosphere. Another good food place that looks like it turns into some kind of disco at night is the Millenium.

Robinson's is a tree house restaurant that closes for the winter, but is a great place to get horovotz during the summer. There is a good pizza place called Kilinka on Kirov Street. For Georgian food, Vanator is never a bad choice.

Main Square overhaul

Ani Hakobyan, 05/23/2008 ArmeniaNow Gyumri reporter

The Gyumri Central Square will soon have a new look with the new monuments, fountains and children's game zone.

The municipality has provided 100 million drams ($333,000) for the project, which to be finished by September.

Monument "Vardanants" by Gyumri sculptor Artush Papoyan will be one of the most interesting elements of the square. Papoyan was the only sculptor who managed to submit a design project to the mayor and the urban-planning council of Gyumri in time and get their approval.

The monument fully cast of bronze will be composed of several figures and Papoyan says such multi-elements monument will be the first of its kind in Armenia.

"Vardan Mamikonyan (Armenian legendary commander) is on top of a 5.5 meter high platform in the clouds with cross and a banner in one hand, and a sword in the other. This is a character of Vardan who calls to arms," says Papoyan

"In the other platform is the Catholicos of all Armenians of those times Hovsep Vayotsdzortsi, Ghevond Yerets, Vardan's mother and Kamsarakan. This is my sixth monumental work but the first composed of many figures."

Lilit Aghekyan, press secretary of the Gyumri municipality says that in the middle of the central square there will be a stone carpet on 3,600 square meters made of 3-4 sorts of stones and proper coloring to fit the look of the square. The working regime of the square fountains will also be changed to have them work in 6 various ways.

"The future look of the square is still not seen but I like the idea. When the construction of the houses around is over, we will have a proper square. If only the colorful stones do not come off their place in a year or two," says Gyumri resident Ashot Manukyan.

No major reconstruction works were done in the central square of Gyumri for the last 20 years. Partial repair of pits is done every year because underground water channels cross the square. Aghekyan says the part of the square planned for the stone carpet has no water or sewage pipelines beneath, except for those old channels.

The square reconstruction works are planned to be finished by September before the start of the Town Day celebrations. After the installation of the monument, the central square of Gyumri will be renamed to Vardanants Square.

Meanwhile on the territory of the square the new building of the Gyumri municipality is yet under construction.

Armenians from Gyumri

These are Armenians who were born or who have lived in Gyumri:

Arthur Aleksanyan (wrestler) , Artur Aleksanyan , Flora Martirosyan , Frunzik Mkrtchyan , Gennady Timchenko , George Gurdjieff , Hovhannes Shiraz , Karen Smbatyan , Yurik Vardanyan

Kim Kardashian 's ancestral home in Gyumri is located at 143 Myasnikyan Street. She visited it on April 11, 2015 [1] .

It is easy and cheap to get to Gyumri from Yerevan . From the Kino Rosia/Zoravor Antranig Metro are the Marshrutnis (mini-buses) and shared taxis to Gyumri, taking about an hour and a half, and costing a few dollars. You can also take a bus from the bus station, or hire your own private cab from anywhere in town.

Videos/DVDs about Gyumri

• Gyumri: (1987) Armenifilm, dokumentary film,35mm color, Director Levon Mkrtchyan , narrator Azat Gasparyan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp07nWWmavM

• 1991 : Pilgrimage To Gyumri Ayk Studio Armenia 52min Maestro Loris Tjeknavorian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPp1mMfSKro

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9LrzZQGJ_w&feature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O77oh_HyQIA&feature=related
• Spitak Earthquake
• ↑ https://armenpress.am/en/article/801374
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• Gyumri’s Culture

The city experienced many changes throughout its existence, but the devastating earthquake of 1988 changed the face of the city, dramatically. Approximately 80 percent of the buildings in the city were destroyed and left about fifty thousand people homeless. However after 21 years of struggle there have been many positive changes, and the citizens of the city have shown an incredible appreciation for the historic values of Gyumri.

Gyumri is the city of masters. The craftsmen (stone masons, blacksmiths, jewelers, carpenters) express endless devotion towards their valuable skills, inherited from their ancestors.

Art, education and science are the highest values for the people of Gyumri. One of the greatest folk bards created his works here. Bards such as Sheram and Shirin were born and grew up here.

There are many museums in Gyumri, notably the Museum of Architecture and Urban Life of Gyumri , the Shirak Geological Museum containing the largest collection of artifacts in Armenia (about 30,000 pieces), and several house museums such as those of Avetik Isahakyan, Hovhannes Shiraz, the Aslamazyan Sisters and Mher Mkrtchyan.

There are dozens of universities and their branches in Gyumri: the Pedagogical University, State Architectural University of Armenia,  Anania Shirakatsi, “Progress”, “Haybusak”, Academy of Arts with departments of art, cinema and theater, music. There are also several colleges, as well. See more here .

Gyumri has 42 schools and colleges, 26 kindergartens, eight art and music schools. Gyumri art (painting) school is the oldest in the Southern Caucasus, having opened in 1921.

Gyumri is one of the world’s most athletic cities, mostly famous for its weightlifters and wrestlers. Gyumri had four Olympic champions, and 26 World and European champions. Gyumri athletes have set 52 world records. In terms of the number of world champions and records set per 10,000 residents, Gyumri is the most successful athletic city in the world.

In the city’s 28 sports schools, 7,200 sportsmen are developing their athletic skills. The city is also home of the Shirak football club.

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Top things to see and do in Gyumri Armenia

Gyumri is the second-largest city in Armenia and has a rich history and culture. It is also known for its unique architecture, which includes traditional Armenian buildings mixed with Russian-style structures from the Soviet era. Here are some reasons why you should visit Gyumri and what to do and see while you are there:

• Explore the historic architecture: Gyumri has many unique buildings that reflect its cultural heritage. Some of the most notable structures include the Sev Berd Fortress, the Alexander Tamanyan Memorial House-Museum, and the Aslamazyan Sisters' Gallery.
• Visit the Black Fortress: The Black Fortress is a ruined medieval castle that dates back to the 5th century. It is a popular tourist attraction and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
• Walk around Vardanants Square: Vardanants Square is the main square in Gyumri and is home to many historic buildings and monuments. It is also a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
• Learn about Gyumri's history: The Gyumri Historical Museum is an excellent place to learn about the city's rich history. It has many exhibits that showcase Gyumri's past, including its involvement in the Armenian Genocide.
• Enjoy the local cuisine: Gyumri has a thriving food scene, and there are many restaurants and cafes where you can try traditional Armenian dishes. Some of the most popular foods in Gyumri include Qyalla - beaf head cooked in oven,  khorovats (grilled meat) and dolma (stuffed grape leaves).
• Visit the Kumayri old town: Kumayri is the historic old town of Gyumri, with its traditional Armenian houses and cobbled streets. You can take a walking tour to explore the area's architecture and learn about its history.
• Attend cultural events: Gyumri is known for its vibrant cultural scene, and there are many events and festivals throughout the year. Some of the most popular events include the Gyumri International Biennial of Contemporary Art and the Gyumri Beer Festival.

Overall, Gyumri is a fascinating destination for those interested in Armenian culture and history. With its unique architecture, delicious food, and lively cultural scene, it is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Armenia.

The headquarters of the Governor was in the city. It was an important post for the Russian troops in Trans-Caucasus. The military barracks were established in the city (Poligons, Severski, Kazachi Post).     Being a bordering city-castle, it very soon became a significant center also for trade and crafts. At the end of the century, in 1899, Tiflis-Aleksandrapol, and then Aleksandrapol-Yerevan railway was constructed, which in 1906 reached Julfa, and then Tavris. The city became one of the important railway midpoints. This introduced great changes into its socio-economic and cultural life. Before the Soviet times Aleksandrapol was first of all a city of crafts. During the years of 1850-1860 the number of craftsmen reached more than 5,000.     Construction and metal processing, brick laying, hewer, carpentry, blacksmithing, copper processing were especially popular in town. The hewers and bricklayers were especially famous all over the country. Most of the craftsmen were involved in workers groups (hamkar), which remained functional till the beginning of the XX century. Manufacturing had a significant importance in the life of the city. Very soon beer, soap and leather production started. The trade and the market seriously developed. There were numerous shops in the city, large and small trade centers and markets. The population of the city gradually grew along with the development of the economy.     At the end of XIX century the population of Aleksandrapol reached 32,000. It was considered to be the third trade and cultural center in the Trans-Caucasus after Tiflis and Baku. During this period the town had around ten schools and collages. Arghoutian (male) and Sahakanushian (female) collages were the most outstanding ones, where apart from Armenian language, Russian, Latin and Greek languages were taught. There were also private collages in the city. The houses and other institutional buildings in Aleksandrapol were constructed on a flat area according to a certain plan, mainly around the old castle. In XVIII-XIX the town was already rich of architectural buildings (houses, shops, baths). Especially five old churches were famous. The four were Armenian churches, and one was Russian. The treasure was St. Prkich (Saviour) church, which was constructed in 1858-76 resembling Ani Catholic Cathedral and was famous of its monumentality, decorations and ornaments.     The town was famous of its schools, gusans (bards), folk singers (Jivani, Sheram, Fahraz, Haiat and others). Plays were performed in the town. A. Tigranyan opera "Anush" was first performed here in 1912.     Shirak lowland, Kumajri-Gyumri-Aleksandrapol-Leninakan-Gyumri is the homeland of Armenian cultural and scientific talented pioneers. Mathematician and Astrologist Anania Shirakatsi (615), who is famous all over the world, talented poets Avetik Isahakyan, Hovhanes Shiraz. Talented composers Nikoghayos and Armen Tigranyans, great bard Sheram (Grigor Talyan), Philologist and artist Garegin Levonyan (son of Bard Jivani), National Artist Sergei Merkurov, Shara Talyan, Academics Alexander Hakobyan, Khachatur Koshtoyan, Andranik Shahinyan, Gevorg Gharibjanyan, Sergey Hambardzumyan, Ruben Zaryan and others were born here.     After the establishment of the Soviet rule Aleksandrapol entered a new era of development. The industry, the science and the culture highly developed. Up to the beginning of 1930 the town served as the center of the state. In 1924, after the death of V. I. Lenin the town was named Leninakan after him. After Armenia gained its independence, the town was again renamed Gyumri. To be continued... Akhtala Monastery Areni village Etchmiadzin Cathedral Garni Temple Geghard Monastery Goshavank Monastery Haghartsin Monastery Haghpat Monastery Harichavank Hayravank Monastery Karmravor Church Katoghike Church Kecharis Monastery Kobayr Monastery Makaravank Monastery Mastara Church Marmashen Monastery Mughni Church Odzun Monastery Saghmosavank Saint Sarkis Cathedral Saint Hripsime Church Saint John the Baptist Church Sanahin Monastery Spitakavor Church St. Gayane Church St. Grigor Lusavorich church Tatev Monastery Tegher Monastery The Blue Mosque Yereruyk Basilica Akhtala Fortress Amberd Fortress Castle Berdavan Fortress Bjni Fortress Boloraberd (Proshaberd) Dashtadem Fortress Erebuni Fortress – Arin Berd Halidzor Fortress Kakavaberd Fortress Lori Fortress Meghri Fortress Ruins of Erebuni Fortress Dendropark Stepanavan Devil’s Bridge Dilijan National Park Garni Canyon Khndzoresk village Khosrov Forest State Reserve Kirants-Samson Gorge Mount Aragats Mount Ararat Mozrov Cave Noravank Birds Cave Noravank Gorge Shaki Waterfall Vorotan River Canyon Agarak Settlement Lchashen Settlement Zvartnots Airport Yerevan Hotels Vanadzor Hotels Tsakhkadzor Hotels Sevan Hotels Gyumri Hotels Goris Hotels Dilijan Hotels Aghveran Hotels Arame Art Gallery Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Cafesjian Center for the Arts Children’s Art Gallery History Museum of Armenia History Museum of Yerevan House Museum of Aram Khachaturian House Museum of Avetik Isahakian House Museum of Khachatur Abovyan House Museum of Martiros Saryan Matenadaran Middle East Museum Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of Folk Art Museum of Hovhannes Tumanyan Museum of Literature and Art Naregatsi Art Center Mother Armenia National Academic Theater National Gallery of Armenia Museum of Sergei Parajanov Sports and Concerts Complex State Pantomime Theater State Puppet Theater State Russian Drama Theater State Theater of Musical Comedy Yerevan Drama Theater Woodcraft Museum in Yerevan Cascade Complex Musaler Memorial Opera House Sardarapat Memorial Republic Square Noratus Khatchkar Field The National Assembly of Armenia The Genocide Memorial Zvartnots Cathedral Yerevan Train Station of Sasuntsi David Gyumri is the city of masters. The craftsmen, among them stone-cutters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths and carpenters carefully preserve the skills they have inherited from their grandpas and those that preceded them. The city of Gyumri is located 126 kilometers from capital Yerevan and it takes around two hours to get there. It’s one of the most popular cities of Armenia the population of which is most friendly and always ready to help. Other than that, they have a high sense of humor, which is felt at the very first moment you meet or come across a native Gyumri resident. Get Directions Image Gallery HIKING TOUR IN ARMENIA ARMENIA PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR WONDERS OF ARMENIA 10-DAY TOUR GOURMET TOUR IN ARMENIA Gyumri: brief history. The history of the settlement of Gyumri goes to hundreds of years ago and was even mentioned in Xenophon’s work called “Anabasis.” The city of Gyumri was not popular until the 19th century and before that it used to appear either under Persian, or Turkish rule because of which it was constantly being ruined and plundered. The most impressive period of this city started in the 19th century, when it was captured by Russia (back then Gyumri was under Persian control) and 400 families were released. In 1813 the treaty of Gyulistan was signed between Russia and Persia. Upon the treaty Gyumri appeared under Russian control, and it offered new perspectives for the city’s development. Gyumri bore defensive significance and therefore Russians strengthened the city turning it into a powerful bastion against Turkey and Persia. In 1837 the construction of the fortress was completed. Afterward, a Russian church was built within the fortress. So Gyumri became a fortress-city. Presently, Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia with approximately 150,000 people the majority of which are Armenians. Gyumri: Various Names Throughout its existence Gyumri has got several names – Kumayri, Gyumri, Aleksandrapol and Leninakan. The city was renamed Gyumri only in 1991. This said it should be noted, that the city even today is very often referred to as Leninakan. The city was called Kumayri during the Old and Middle Ages. The city was called Gyumri until 1837. The city was called Aleksandrapol within 1837-1924, that is in Russian Armenia. The city was called Leninakan during 1924-1990, that is during the Soviet period. The city was renamed Gyumri in 1991 and since then has been known so. Gyumri: Disastrous Earthquakes If this city were a human, then he/she would probably be one of the strongest and most optimistic ones. Gyumri has twice experienced disastrous earthquakes. The first was in October, 1926, and the second occurred on December 7, 1988. The city has yet not fully revived. The earthquake of 1988 destroyed a territory of 1.8 million square kilometers and around 100,000 people became homeless. The ruins can be seen even today. Gyumri: Climate While Gyurmi is suitable for a visit in any time of the year, it is worth visiting within middle spring to early fall period, if you can’t stand the cold. Winters are really cold in this city and the average January temperature usually reaches (-9.8) degrees Celsius. Summers are usually hot and the average temperature is 19 degrees Celsius. If the summer is very hot, then be prepared to face a temperature as high as 36 degrees Celsius. Gyumri: Places to Visit The city of Gyurmi is itself an interesting destination for every traveler, as sometimes even the simple buildings might attract the eye. Nevertheless, if you need specific places to visit and see in this beautiful and brave city, then consider the following: Saint Seven Wounds Church – This amazing church can be found in the central square. It was built in 1874-1886. The church was initially named Holy Mother Church but it’s more known as the Church of Seven Wounds because of the Holy Mother’s icon with seven wounds found in the martyrium. Black stone was used in the construction of the church. It’s no secret that a number of churches were closed during the Soviet Union period but this church continued to operate. There is one reason for this – the church has five different altars meant for people of various declarations of faith. There is an interesting story regarding the church, which has it that the church used to pay taxes to Russia and when the time had come to pay the taxes the church had not managed to gather the necessary amount of money. The Russian forces had come to expropriate the church’s property and to close it. At that time one of the priests knelt at the Main Altar and started praying to God asking Him to help them. While uttering his prayers, the priest was touching the ground with his head and suddenly a stone moved and having put it aside the priest discovered 30 poods of gold. Saint All Savior Church – The church was built in 1869-1874. The architect was Tadevos Antikyan. During the Soviet period it served as a philharmonic hall and was ruined during the 1988 earthquake. Presently the church is being repaired. Among other churches are Saint Nshan Church built in 1852-1856 (Abovyan Street), Saint Sargis Church built in 2008 (Golden Hill), Saint Hripsime Church built in 1991 (Franz Werfel Square) and Saint Hakob Church (Paruyr Sevak Street). The city is full of monuments. The majority of them are dedicated to Armenian artists (writer Avetik Isahakyan, brilliant actor Mher Mkrtchyan). In 2008 a monument to the victims of 1988 earthquake was erected in the city. Mother Armenia Monument – Those who have got acquainted with capital Yerevan’s places of interest no doubt have visited the Victory Park where the Mother Armenia Monument is located. Surprising as it might seem, there is another Mother Armenia Monument in Gyumri. To reach it and to have a closer look you have to climb a number of stairs, so if you are planning to see this monument make sure you are not tired otherwise you will either choose not to climb the stairs, or if you do climb, then you will feel most exhausted. The statue was completed in 1975. The architects were Ara Sargsyan and Erem Vardanyan. An interesting thing to know about the statue is that while it appears an ordinary statue for the Armenians it appears something out of ordinary for the Turkish side, because as you look from the Turkish border you see only the back of the statue and from the back the monument resembles a dragon. House-Museums If you love museums and especially house-museums, then there are a number of museums to consider: House-Museum of Hovhannes Shiraz – The house-museum has been operating since 2003 and is dedicated to beloved Armenian poet Hovhannes Shiraz. This house was gifted to the poet in 1983 but he actually never lived there as he died in 1984. Still if you would love to get acquainted with the poet’s life and works, it is worth to be visited. House-Museum of Avetik Isahakyan – This is the house where Armenian writer Avetik Isahakyan was born. The house was converted into a museum in 1975 and from that time on has been visited by such prominent Armenians like Catholicos of all Armenians Vazgen I and world-known writer William Saroyan. House-Museum of Mher Mkrtchyan – Known as Frunzik, Mher Mkrtchyan is one of the most beloved Armenian actors who will hardly be forgotten. Mher Mkrtchyan as a person and as an artist is irreplaceable for Armenians and there is no Armenian who hasn’t seen at least one movie in which he was featured and who doesn’t know by heart at least one phrase he made in those movies. The actor passed away in 1993 but he continuous to live for the Armenian people. The house-museum was officially opened in 2006 with the one goal to introduce the coming generations to the life and activities of an artist who he himself represented a great value for the Armenian culture . Gyumri: Getting There If you don’t have your own car or haven’t rented one, then there are three options to get to Gyumri – by taxi, by bus or by train. The first option is no doubt more convenient but is more expensive too. So if you don’t want to spend much money and traveling by bus or by train is not a big problem for you, then choose between the last two. Several things to know about the bus, more precisely minibus travel is that it lasts around two hours, and it will cost you 1500 Dram (approximately $4). The buses start from Sasuntsi David Station. As to traveling by train, the train also starts from Sasuntsi David Station. But there is one problem – you need to wake up really early as the train leaves at 7.40 am. Just like the buses it also costs 1500 Dram (approximately $4) but it takes longer to get to the city; around 5 hours. This option is slower compared to the rest but it gives a chance to enjoy the views; while the first half of the journey might appear boring for you, the second half promises to be interesting and abundant with beautiful scenes. Explore Similar Places An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck the region killing tens of thousands of people and injuring 130,000.  This all happened in less than 1 minute.  Shortly after, an aftershock of 5.3 magnitude destroyed the city even further.  In Gyumri, 62% of buildings which stood higher than 4 stories were destroyed ( 1 ).  This left 25,000 homeless.  To house the people who lost their homes, the government quickly built what were meant to be temporary shelters.  Till today, 2,500 families are still living in these makeshift homes which tend to lack basic needs such as water, electricity, and gas. Upon Armenia becoming and independent country, Gyumri’s challenges were overshadowed by Armenia’s national issues including the war with Azerbaijan for Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).  The result has been massive emigration of Gyumri’s citizenry to primarily the capital, Yerevan, and to Russia and other nations.  Some numbers suggest only 70,000 people remain in Gyumri, with people leaving daily in search of a better life.  Gyumri experiences the highest rate of depopulation and poverty anywhere in Armenia . GYUMRI’S CULTURE Gyumri is the city of masters. The craftsmen (stone masons, blacksmiths, jewelers, carpenters) express endless devotion towards their valuable skills, inherited from their ancestors. Art, education and science are the highest values for the people of Gyumri. One of the greatest folk bards created his works here. Bards such as Sheram and Shirin were born and grew up here. Currently there is a symphonic orchestra in Gyumri, a folk instrument orchestra, the “Gohar” music ensemble, the multiple international award-winning “Deghdzanik” children’s choir, Shaboyan’s dance ensemble, The Dance Center, Sports and Dance School, the Municipality Brass Band, the Dramatic Theater and the Puppet Theater. National and modern dances are taught in all of the kindergartens. In art schools, great attention is paid to the teaching of national instruments. There are dozens of universities and their branches in Gyumri: the Pedagogical University, State Architectural University of Armenia,  Anania Shirakatsi, “Progress”, “Haybusak”, Academy of Arts with departments of art, cinema and theater, music. There are also several colleges, as well. Gyumri has 42 schools and colleges, 26 kindergartens, eight art and music schools. Gyumri art (painting) school is the oldest in the Southern Caucasus, having opened in 1921. Gyumri is one of the world’s most athletic cities, mostly famous for its weightlifters and wrestlers. Gyumri had four Olympic champions, and 26 World and European champions. Gyumri athletes have set 52 world records. In terms of the number of world champions and records set per 10,000 residents, Gyumri is the most successful athletic city in the world. In the city’s 28 sports schools, 7,200 sportsmen are developing their athletic skills. The city is also home of the Shirak football club. GYUMRI’S HISTORY Gyumri, one of the oldest cities in the world, still hides mysteries and fascinating undiscovered values. There are many unexcavated archeological sites where evidence of early human history can be found. There are localities that contain data of people who lived in this area around 2700-2400 BC.  Gyumri and its surrounding areas have been populated for thousands of years. The settlement named Kumayri first is mentioned in 774, and then again in the 13th century. No further information about the settlement was recorded until the beginning of the 19th century. Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity as their official religion. Therefore, there are several hundred year old churches throughout its territory. In ancient times, Kumayri-Gyumri was the trade crossroad for different nations.  The roads to Armenian Dvin, to capital Ani would go through Gyumri to connect with Georgia and Trapizon.  Kumayri-Gyumri was a famous educational and scientific center. According to tradition famous calendar maker, geographer and mathematician Anania Shirakatsi, middle age renowned church figure and skilled master Barsegh Tchon, taught in Dprevank. Gyumri is situated 126 km from Yerevan (capital of the Republic of Armenia). It lies in the northwestern part of Armenia in the central Shirak Highland. It sits 1550 feet above sea level, with a territory of 4429 hectares. Gyumri is the regional center and has history dating back at least five thousand years. Geographically it is situated in the Shirak Valley, on the left bank of the Akhuryan river. Gyumri is just north from the highest mountain in Armenia; Aragats. Four branches of the Akhuryan river flow through the city; Gyumrichay, Ghorghoba, and Boshichay the river of the Cherkez canyon. The climate is very dry. History of Gyumri Gyumri is located in the northwestern part of the region and is the second-largest city of Armenia. The city has changed its name several times: in the 19th century it was known as Alexandrapol, then was renamed Leninakan during the Soviet period, and in 1992 when Armenia, at last, became an independent country, the city was renamed Gyumri. Unfortunately, on December 7, 1988, the city suffered a terrible earthquake. 15.000-17.000 people died and 25.000 were injured. The earthquake destroyed not only houses and apartment buildings but also the most important industrial factories of Leninakan. Many years have passed since the devastating earthquake but one can still feel the pain of the city.  Of course, those who could survive the horrible earthquake stood up again and started rebuilding the city. Now Gyumri is becoming one of the top tourist destinations in Armenia.  Sights of Gyumri Gyumri has long been considered the cultural capital of Armenia. The city is unique as it somehow managed to preserve the atmosphere of the 19th century. The Kumayri historic district of Gyumri is one of the few places in the Republic of Armenia with an authentic historical urban Armenian architecture. Luckily this district has survived two major earthquakes. It has over one thousand 18th and 19th-century buildings, which represent the traditions and culture of Armenian architecture. The city is rich with historical and cultural monuments. It is home to many churches including the Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs which is the seat of the Ordinariate fo r  Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern Europe for the Armenian Catholic Church.  Other churches of the city are the Church of the Holy Saviour or Surp Amenaprkich (1859–1873), Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God: also known as Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God (1873–1884), Surp Nshan Church of 1870 and many other churches and chapels. Museums of Gyumri The Architectural Museum of Gyumri  is one of the most interesting and visited museums in the country. The building of the museum used to be the house of a famous merchant Petros Dzitoghtsyan and was founded in 1872. It is built of red Tufa stone. The city is home to the house-museums of the great Armenian poets Avetik Isahakyan and Hovhannes Shiraz and the great actor Mher Mkrtchyan. They are all located on the same street in Gyumri.  The Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum, built in the 1880s, is home to more than 700 drawings, paintings and other works of the Aslamazyan sisters who were the Soviet-era artists.  The House-Museum of the prominent Armenian sculptor Sergey Merkurov is located in Gyumri. In 1912, Gyumri was home to the first opera show ever staged in Armenia, when composer Armen Tigranian presented Anoush to the public in Alexandropol. In 1923, the first Armenian opera theatre was opened in Gyumri, while the Vardan Ajemian State Drama Theatre was founded in 1928.  However, Gumri is first of all known for its talented people, who highly contributed to the cultural and sport life of the country. Many Olympic and world champion wrestlers, weightlifters and boxers are from Gyumri. No wonder that throughout centuries Gyumri was considered the "city of crafts and arts".  The Architectural Museum of Gyumri The Architectural Museum of Gyumri is the most attractive and the most visited museum in Gyumri. This museum is the old house which has represents Gyumri’s history, local culture, and everyday life. Login/Sign in Beauty and care Special project Finance and banks Law and law Moving / Flight Restaurants, bars, cafes Entertainment Gyumri: what to see in the second capital of Armenia Armenian Gyumri is often compared to Russian St. Petersburg. This is also the second largest city in the country, which has the unofficial status of a cultural capital, which in Soviet times bore the name of Vladimir Ilyich - although not Leningrad, but Leninakan. Another difference is that getting to Gyumri from the capital of Armenia is much easier than from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Instead of 700 km - only 120. But it is not only the proximity to Yerevan that attracts thousands of tourists here. Hundreds of talented artists, craftsmen and poets live here, who gladly exhibit their works for public contemplation. The city resembles a giant vernissage with an incalculable number of works of art performed by local artists. Thanks to their efforts, Gyumri looks like a bundle of colorful faces, moods, colors and tastes, to which we will go today. Electric train Abovyan street, vardanants square, iron fountain "friendship", black fortress, soviet hairdressing salon no. 1, other places of interest, where to stay, how to get to gyumri. You can get to Gyumri by sky. Planes from Moscow fly almost daily. The travel time will be about four hours, and the ticket price is usually between 5-10 thousand rubles. (20,000 – 40,000 drams). But still more often travelers from Russia arrive in Gyumri through Yerevan . From there, in addition to the plane, you can get to the city of artists by taxi, bus or train. Rules for entry into Armenia for Russians in 2023 year Yerevan and Gyumri are connected by the South Caucasus Railway. From three to five trains run between cities on a daily basis, depending on the season. Trains depart from the station on David of Sassoun Square. It is located on the outskirts of Yerevan, but can be easily reached by metro. The station building is visible from afar: it is decorated with a high spire. Opposite there is a monument to the hero of the Armenian folk epic David of Sasun. Regular trains to Gyumri leave at 07:55, 14:25 and 18:25. Travel time is a little over three hours. The ticket will cost 1400 drams per person. From Friday to Sunday, an additional express train runs from Yerevan to Gyumri. It takes less time - 2 hours 10 minutes, but also costs more - 2500 drams. More information can be found at SCR website . We will only add that the landscapes along the way are very colorful : Passengers drive past undulating plains, mountain horizons and the Akhuryan reservoir. Photo: Yulia Dyagileva The bus from Yerevan to Gyumri starts from the David of Sasun bus station. There is no clear timetable - the bus leaves when it is full. The trip will cost 1500 drams. Tickets are sold by the driver, you won’t be able to pay with a bank card, so have cash ready. You can also get to Gyumri by private eight-seater minibus. The trip also costs 1,500 drams, but the schedule is fixed. The most convenient way to get acquainted with it is in the Yev Yev application for the App Store and Google Play. The interface is intuitive: after selecting the number of passengers and the desired date, you are taken to a page with available flights. Travel time to Gyumri is about three hours. Get ready for a thrill. Although the views will be fascinating, the road itself is dangerous in places. Along the way there are many serpentines and less-than-improved places. You can get to Gyumri directly from your hotel or apartment. There are two services in Armenia – Yandex.Go and GG, but you can negotiate with taxi drivers directly. The price of a trip to Gyumri depends on the demand and class of the car and is in the region of 16–25,000 drams. It may be cheaper to rent a car in Move2Car . What to see in Gyumri Despite the fact that Gyumri is the second most populous city in Armenia, it is home to just over 120,000 people. There is a very calm atmosphere here, which encourages leisurely walks through its ancient two-story quarters: Catholic, peasant, Greek, Turkish, Russian - In each you will find interesting buildings. The city managed to preserve its gray hair, and with it, about a thousand 19th-century houses with striking sights. It is especially interesting to look at Abovyan Street. Photo: Mail.ru Abovyan Street in the city of Gyumri bears the name of the great writer, founder of new Armenian literature Khachatur Abovyan. This is one of the most interesting streets of the “historic quarter”. It is notable for the abundance of architectural monuments dating back two centuries and immerses the tourist in the history of the city. In the mid-19th century, Gyumri was renamed Alexandropol (in honor of the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Alexandra Fedorovna). During this period, the city became a major trading center and the third largest city in the Caucasus after Tbilisi and Baku. The distinctive architecture of Gyumri (called Alexandropol's Belle Epoche) is still the most visible legacy of Imperial Russia. Abovyan Street was created for people to walk along. It is pedestrian, which allows you to stop and look at each house. The details attract attention: masonry made of black and red tuff, wooden doors with signs “for letters”, openwork gutters, intricate patterns on the facades, carved balconies. There is no typical development here, from the word “at all”. Ancient buildings were erected not according to the designs of certified architects, but by local talented craftsmen. Therefore, Gyumri is called a city of architectural vernacular, that is, spontaneous popular development. In particular, one of these buildings houses a local history museum, where you can learn more about the history of the development of the non-standard city. Photo: Wikimedia.org ; Dyagileva Yulia A walk along Abovyan Street will lead you to another attraction of Gyumri – Vardanants Square. This is the historical and spiritual center of the city. Many of the city's most impressive structures are located here, including the city hall and two churches: the Church of the Holy Virgin (also known as the Seven Wounds) and the Church of the All Savior, which is being restored. Photo: Fotokonkurs.ru ; Dyagileva Yulia There are also several monuments significant for Armenians. The first is to Vahan Cheraz, an extremely interesting person. He is depicted wearing a pith hat and holding a cane. In his life, he managed to combine many roles - he was an archaeologist excavating the Egyptian pyramids, one of the founders of Armenian football, a politician of the First Armenian Republic and the creator of the scout movement in the early 1920s. for orphans who survived the genocide. Top 25 clubs and sports sections for children in Armenia and Artsakh Also on the square, in front of the Leninakan Hotel, there is a monument to the hero of the Avarayr Battle of 451 AD Vardan Mamikonyan. He led Christian rebels and valiantly opposed the troops of the Iranian Shah, who was imposing Zoroastrianism on the Armenians. What do Armenians really believe? The sixty thousand rebel army clashed with the two hundred thousand Persian army, in whose ranks there were even war elephants. The Armenians had no chance of winning with such a balance of power; they lost, but the Persian troops also suffered such losses that they were forced to retreat and leave Armenia alone. And Vardan Mamikonyan, who fell in an unequal battle, forever remained the savior of the country and the Orthodox faith. Armenians annually celebrate Vardanank (Վարդանանց տոն) in memory of the Battle of Avaray in February-March - the holiday of Vardan. Photo: Wikimedia.org Another significant monument on the square is the monument to the victims of the 1988 Spitak earthquake. The 30-second, magnitude 10 natural disaster claimed the lives of 25,000 residents of the Armenian SSR, made more than half a million people homeless and destroyed more than 300 settlements, and leveled 80% buildings in what was then Leninakan. The seven-meter bronze monument is a pyramidal sculpture. At its top is the image of a mother hugging two rescued children. They are held on four sides by almost twenty figures: a Soviet soldier saving a child from the rubble, a French rescuer with a service dog, volunteers, doctors and blood donors. At the foot is the inscription “To innocent victims, merciful hearts.” Photo: Fototerra.ru ; Dyagileva Yulia Another reminder of the terrible tragedy of 1988, no longer in the center, but on the outskirts of the city, is the Soviet “Friendship” fountain. It attracts a large number of tourists due to its gloomy grandeur, modernist, monumental forms. Top 9 Modernist Architecture Sites in Armenia The iconic object appeared in Gyumri in 1982, six years before the tragic events that turned the northern region of the city into ruins. The fountain was supposed to become a symbol of hope for a bright communist future. It was located on a square surrounded by flower beds and a small park. It was a prosperous area with dense buildings, where, in addition to residential buildings, there were many institutions and educational institutions, including the Polytechnic Institute. The design, designed by architect Arthur Tarkhanyan, consists of metal sheets formed in the shape of thousands of butterflies, opening their wings at the moment of takeoff. People from all over the republic came to see the modernist fountain. Even now, in a non-working state, it evokes strong sensations. Photo: Architime.ru ; Dyagileva Yulia The Black Fortress in Gyumri is an impressive fort near the city center, built during the Russian Empire after the Russo-Turkish War. The purpose of the building then was to protect the borders in the event of a new confrontation with Turkey. Afterwards the fort was turned into an artillery depot, then into a military prison. Today it is a public space with free entry. The Black Fortress functions as a cultural center. During the excursion here you can see the holy altar, which was erected in 2016 in honor of the arrival of the Pope. Visitors are also shown a large round stage intended for concerts, fortress walls, ancient lamps and other surroundings. Of particular interest to tourists is the well, which is 30 m deep. In the old days, it served as the main source of drinking water for soldiers. By the way, many of them left a memory of themselves: inscriptions with the names and names of their hometowns are scratched on the walls of the fortification. From the top of the Black Fortress there is a stunning panorama of the Akhuryan River and the city. Photo: Avatars.dzeninfra.ru If you are a little overgrown, or just need to trim the ends, then you should visit the oldest hairdresser in Armenia No. 1. It was built in 1941 and has only been renovated twice since then. The Soviet barbershop has preserved the flavor of old Gyumri, where the humor of hairdressers, the warm welcome of clients and “horata” (conversations) are inseparable from each other. The working tools of the hairdressing salon and the salon itself are almost the same age. Here, not only scissors, accessories, mirrors, cabinets and chairs, but also the old work order and traditions have been preserved in their original form. Photo: Katerina In addition to major attractions popular with group tourists, Gyumri offers a lot of smaller interesting locations. Studio Varem marem This workshop , where guests are invited to work with clay and make a souvenir with their own hands. Here you can also forever preserve yourself in the city’s history by making your name from Armenian letters on a colorful wall. The main thing is not to be too distracted by the handsome fluffy Aslan. Although many come solely for the sake of him . Cobweb Art Gallery In this gallery the master creates his works not with paints, not with body parts, but with spider webs. Artist Andranik Avetisyan works under the pseudonym Ado. In fishing stores he buys worms and flies and arranges a feast for the arthropods. Then he collects their nets and weaves them. In the collection you can find copies of “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci, “Starry Night” by Van Gogh, “Breath of Space” by Oleg Vysotsky. Museum "Kinodom" This place has the unofficial status of “Armenian Hollywood”. A cozy courtyard in Gyumri was once the setting for the film “Tango of Our Childhood” directed by Albert Mkrtchyan, and now the Museum of Cinema History operates here. The creators have been collecting a collection of filming props and posters for many years. The public is introduced to the most iconic films of Armenian cinema. Much has been written about the best Armenian museums and galleries. here . Gyumri is full of interesting locations, and it is not possible to put them in one article. But local guides are capable of this; they are ready to introduce guests to the most unexpected places and lead them along secret paths:       Hovhannes Frangulyan       Roza Avoyan       Khachik Khachatryan       Visual guide from Move2Armenia Sooner or later, exploring the sights of Gyumri will make you hungry. To solve this problem, we recommend two proven places: Family cafe Ponchik-Monchik open all day, has a cute modern design, and offers a ton of delicious options, not just donuts. In the cafe-bakery Nazuk They will be waiting for you from 09:00 to 22:00 to feed you delicious salads, pastries and confectionery delights. Features of the national cuisine of Armenia Many tourists come to Gyumri for an overnight stay. Two days is just enough to see all the main attractions of the city. You can stay overnight in: tavern ZERO . This is at the same time a guest house, a restaurant, a cafe, and a fast food restaurant. Guests are received very warmly here and the food is extremely tasty; mini-hotel KONJELAZIA . It can be said to have become another attraction of Gyumri. The creator is Italian. Design is a plague. We won't describe it. It's better to see this beauty with your own eyes. You can have a great time in Gyumri, and on the way back to Yerevan you can stop at Ashtarak and Etchmiadzin . Of course, having first read our articles about these cities. Have a nice trip! And if you have already been to Gyumri, share your impressions in the comments and leave your recommendations. articles: 17 No comments yet. Explore Gyumri's architectural history Walk the streets of Gyumri with a local guide. (Photo by Karen Nersisyan, My Armenia Program) Gyumri is one of Armenia's most distinctive cities and its second largest urban center. Known previously as Kumayri, Alexandrapol, and Leninakan, Gyumri's settlement dates to at least the fourth century BCE. It has served variously as military outpost, transportation hub, and trading post. Despite a catastrophic earthquake in 1988 and the social and economic hardships that followed, Gyumri has maintained a strong cultural identity and charm – including a well-preserved old town. Strolling through the narrow streets of Gyumri's historic district, visitors will find buildings and works of art that are both traditional and new, which signal the city's rebirth. The city tours are led by experts from Gyumri's City Research Center, a non-governmental organization founded in 2002 to help preserve the city's vibrant cultural and historic traditions. Meet your host Ashot Mirozyan, the founder of Gyumri City Research Center, is an architect by training and highly enthusiastic about Gyumri’s architecture. For the past 15 years or so, he has been engaged in many projects aimed at collecting information about Gyumri's cultural history, including its architectural styles. Gyumri's center has been rebuilt after the 1988 earthquake to become a technological and cultural hub once again. Photo by Karen Nersisyan, My Armenia Program Learn about Gyumri's 3000-year-old history from local experts at the City Research Center. Visitors point to a map of Gyumri, a city of more than 100,000 people. A resident of Gyumri poses with his horses. Gyumri's architecture reveals its long history as a military outpost, transportation hub, and trading post. Nearby Experiences Learn Armenian pottery traditions and techniques in Gyumri Tour the Gallery of Mariam and Eranuhi Aslamazyan Sisters Make your own souvenir from Armenian tuff stone Cook traditional Gyumri dishes at Chalet Gyumri Traditional 'taraz' costumes and photoshoot Visit a workshop and explore Gyumri with a local artist Similar experiences. Explore Vanand (Andok) fortress with Tandzaver team Bike to soviet youth camps through mountains Paint art by the mountains at Jermuk Art Gallery The Art of Printmaking at Dilijan Local Lore Museum and Gallery Trees that tell stories at Sisian History Museum Hear Samovar Stories at the Aksel Bakunts House Museum Stay informed. Sign up to learn more about upcoming events, activities, and our work to preserve and share Armenia's cultural heritage. 20 Facts About Gyumri Gyumri is an urban municipal community and the second-largest city in Armenia , serving as the administrative center of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country. FactSnippet No. 1,385,772 Today, Gyumri continues to grapple with the lasting effects of the 1988 earthquake, but remains known as the cultural hub of Armenia due to the many artists and craftsman who originated from the city. FactSnippet No. 1,385,773 People also liked Fun Fact  Gyumri Armenia  Interesting Fact Yerevan  Fact Fact About  Western Armenian Archaeological  Trivia Gyumri  Interesting Fact In 1837, Gyumri was renamed Alexandropol after Czar Nicholas I's wife, Princess Alexandra Fyodorovna. FactSnippet No. 1,385,774 Archaeological excavations conducted throughout the Soviet period have shown that the area of modern-day Gyumri has been populated since at least the third millennium BC. FactSnippet No. 1,385,775 Gyumri was celebrated as the Capital of Culture of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2013. FactSnippet No. 1,385,776 Related searches Gyumri is 126 kilometres north of the capital Yerevan at the central part of the Shirak plateau. FactSnippet No. 1,385,777 Population of Gyumri has gradually grown since 1840 after gaining the status of town. FactSnippet No. 1,385,778 The dialect of Gyumri is a variant of Karin dialect, closely related to Western Armenian . FactSnippet No. 1,385,779 The Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God of Gyumri - known as the Cathedral of the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God- is the seat of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Church. FactSnippet No. 1,385,780 Gyumri is home to many prominent museums of Armenia , including the House-Museums of sculptor Sergey Merkurov, poets Avetik Isahakyan and Hovhannes Shiraz , and actor Mher Mkrtchyan. FactSnippet No. 1,385,781 The Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture of Gyumri is an old mansion, housing collections related to both history and the everyday-life of Gyumri, as well as paintings and other works of art. FactSnippet No. 1,385,782 In 1912, Gyumri was home to the first opera show ever staged in Armenia , when composer Armen Tigranian presented Anoush to the public in Alexandropol. FactSnippet No. 1,385,783 Gyumri is known for its 19th-century architecture and urban constructions. FactSnippet No. 1,385,784 Gyumri was officially declared Commonwealth of Independent States cultural capital in 2013. FactSnippet No. 1,385,785 Gyumri is one of the most celebrated Armenian composers of folk music. FactSnippet No. 1,385,786 Restoration process of the damaged buildings of Gyumri has been spearheaded by Earthwatch to preserve the city's unique architecture. FactSnippet No. 1,385,787 Gyumri is considered to be the "laughter and humor capital" of Armenia . FactSnippet No. 1,385,788 Industrial sector in the provincial center Gyumri includes the production of building materials, hosiery and textile manufacturing, food processing and dairy products, alcoholic drinks, electronic machines, etc. FactSnippet No. 1,385,789 Gyumri has a large number of educational institutions, following the capital Yerevan in the number of educational institutions. FactSnippet No. 1,385,790 Gyumri has made a major contribution to the sporting life of Armenia . FactSnippet No. 1,385,791 Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser . Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. We're Hiring! Help Center GYUMRI: ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN OBSERVATIONS 2020, Polish Journal of Science Gyumri has been the cultural center of Armenia for centuries. The city has been renamed several times - Kumayri, Alexandropol, Leninakan and Gyumri at present. After the 1988 earthquake, the city was almost destroyed, but in the 2000s the city’s reconstruction began, and is still going on. The city in general and most of the buildings in particular are architectural heritage, thus the main focus today remains their reconstruction. Fortunately, almost all of the buildings have been renovated, all the architectural and design details of ancient Gyumri have been preserved: construction materials, colors, décors, windows, doors, floors, ornaments, composition. Hence, the present case study refers to Gyumri as a vivid example of how to preserve the ancient architectural heritage that not only enhances the city as a historical center but also makes it an excellent tourist brand. Related Papers The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences Andrey Ivanov Sustainable Engineering and Innovation Martin Harutyunyan There are a lot of scientific and research reports dedicated to Armenian architecture from the ancient times to nowadays. There are many interesting and thoroughly researched reports of architectural and historical value done by not only Armenian but also foreign historians, architects, and engineers. Exploring Armenian architecture's chronology and research reports, we noticed that after independence of the Republic of Armenia (since 1991) there are few scientific reports which include the stages of development of architecture of newly independent Armenia, the current state of the architectural heritage and their observance. So we decided to study that period trying to show the problems and essential events as well as to introduce that period by the stages of development also including some examples of architectural heritage. Cecilia Luschi This research focuses on medieval architectures in the Armenian region of Vayots Dzor. The research mission is carried out since 2014 by the University of Florence, School of Architecture. In this paper, we show the results of a part of this research focusing on ancient buildings in the cities of Areni, Noravank and Yegheghis. We propose a series of unpublished cartographic elaborations showing the main flows of spreading of architectural typologies in Armenia, and then we focus on the analysis of the main religious structures of the village of Yegheghis. These analyses are based on architectural graphic elaborations to investigate the architectural Design, Space and Composition of medieval Armenian structures. The aim is to highlight the elements that define their architectural shape: the compositional rules, the structural design and the relationships between plan and elevation. Starting from the architectural analysis on religious buildings, we investigate the Armenian architect... Dicle Aydın Alkiviadis Prepis Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Architecture: Heritage, Traditions and Innovations (AHTI 2022) Lyuba Kirakosyan An Investigation of an Important Armenian Church Architecture in terms of Urban Identity: Digor Khtzkong / Kent Kimliği Açısından Önemli Bir Ermeni Kilise Mimarisinin İncelenmesi: Digor Khtzkong Manastırı Merve Özkaynak Cultural heritage enables us to have information about past civilizations that form the identity of the built environment in a residential area. While cultural heritage structures reflect the material properties and techniques of the period they belong to, the architectural styles they adopted, and the level of civilization, they express the societies they belong to and the way of life of the societies, world view, management style and religious structure. For this reason, the sustainability of cultural heritage is important for the preservation of the local identity of societies and the continuity of cultural values. However, historical buildings such as mosques, churches, monasteries, chapels, synagogues, madrasas, inns, baths and castles, which reflect the identity of different regions, were built in masonry. Masonry structures, on the other hand, are not resistant to natural disasters such as earthquakes. In this context, it is aimed to examine the monastery, which consists of five churches from the Armenian churches in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. This monastery is Khıdskonk Monastery, which consists of the Churches of St. Karapet, Virgin Mary (Surp Asdvadzdzin), St. Stefanos, St. Krikor and St. Sarkis. The churches, which differ in terms of culture and architecture, are important in terms of having the first church plan typologies. The problem of the study is that the remains of four of the five churches that were built in the same region and that were recently built, and that only one church is partially preserved. Based on this problem, it is aimed to document and archive these churches, which are important for the Kars region, and to examine their plan typologies. In this context, the relationship between earthquake damage and typologies was investigated and evaluations were made for the churches surveyed in the sample area. As a result, by emphasizing the importance of cities for their identities, suggestions were made for the protection of cultural heritage. SOCIAL SCIENCE DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL Gizem Kuçak Toprak The design features of the new buildings to be designed in historical cities are discussed in detail nowadays, and various rules are tried to be determined. It is tried to answer questions such as whether the new building should be designed in an old city, it should resemble the old one, how much should it be similar, should it reflect the characteristics of the age. The main reason for the controversy of the issue is the concern about the damage of historical cities concerning protecting historical cities. Especially with the concept of tangible cultural heritage and the development of the idea that this heritage is a common heritage of all cultures, it has become a matter of making joint decisions together regarding new structures to be designed in historical cities. Especially with the development of the idea that imitation of historical buildings is perceived as a disrespect to history, it has become essential to determine the limits of designing the new building with modern features without harming the historical environment. This study aims to determine these limits and to create a guideline for the determined limits and for various detailed arrangements. Science Park Research Organization & Counselling Understanding about conservation is limited to ‘monument’ or ‘old work of art’ in the past compared with today’s new concepts like ‘historical and cultural heritage’, ‘heritage of modern architecture’ and ‘heritage of industry’. Turkey’s 20th century modern architecture was started with the early modernism buildings constructed all over Turkey, especially in Ankara and İstanbul in the first years of the Republic. This period includes all the works of architecture that were produced until the late 1980s, carrying the traces of modern movement, rationalist, purist, transparent, reinterpreting the traditional architectural values by means of modern material and seeking of independent form. In this study, the Mevlana Axis between Alaaddin Hill and the historical city centre and the works of architecture in the modernisation period between the early 1900s and 1980s on this axis, contribute to the city identity and handled in the context of modern architectural heritage are evaluated. Keywords: Modern architecture heritage, evaluation criteria, Konya. Loading Preview Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. 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It is believed to have been founded by the Greeks in 401 bce, but it did not have a continuous existence. A fortress was constructed on the site by the Russians in 1837, and in 1840 the town of Alexandropol was founded nearby. Alexandropol was a trading and Gyumri Gyumri (Armenian: Գյումրի, [a] pronounced) is an urban municipal community and the second-largest city in Armenia, serving as the administrative center of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country. By the end of the 19th century, when the city was known as Alexandropol, [b] it became the largest city of Russian-ruled Eastern Armenia with a population above that of Yerevan. A Day in Gyumri: 10 Must-See Destinations in Armenia's Second City 9. Visit the Gyumri Beer Factory. The Gyumri Beer Factory is one of the largest in Armenia and a must-visit for beer lovers. Enjoy a tour of the factory and learn about the beer-making process. Make sure to taste some of the distinctive "Gyumri" brand light beer or "Alexandrapol" lager. Gyumri / The Second Largest City of Armenia Gyumri has gone through a number of difficult periods. Two earthquakes happened in the 20th century, and the effects of the 1988 one are still very evident. The city suffered from mass migration due to unsustainable living conditions and insufficient housing, plus a separation from Russia with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. ... A Day in Gyumri: A Guide to Armenia's Second City With its origins dating back thousands of years to the Urartu period, Gyumri's history is as old as Yerevan's. Later, the city would be an important stronghold for the Persians, who took control in the 1500s and ruled for the next 300 years. But much of Gyumri's prominent architecture was built in the 19th century while the region was ... About Gyumri About Gyumri. Gyumri is situated 126 km from Yerevan (capital of the Republic of Armenia). It lies in the northwestern part of Armenia in the central Shirak Highland. It sits 1550 feet above sea level. The population of the city is over 150,000 people, with a territory of 4429 hectares. Gyumri is the regional center and has history dating back ... About Gyumri Kumayri is the original name of the ancient settlement. This name is found in historians' sources dating back to 773 CE. During the medieval period the settlement was called Gyumri.The city bore this name until the year 1837, when it was renamed Alexandrapol by Emperor of Russia Nicholas I, in honor of his wife Alexandra. This was the belle epoque of the city, when magnificent buildings and ... Gyumri The Gyumri Central Square will soon have a new look with the new monuments, fountains and children's game zone. The municipality has provided 100 million drams ($333,000) for the project, which to be finished by September. Monument "Vardanants" by Gyumri sculptor Artush Papoyan will be one of the most interesting elements of the square. Gyumri's Culture Gyumri had four Olympic champions, and 26 World and European champions. Gyumri athletes have set 52 world records. In terms of the number of world champions and records set per 10,000 residents, Gyumri is the most successful athletic city in the world. In the city's 28 sports schools, 7,200 sportsmen are developing their athletic skills. Top things to see and do in Gyumri Armenia Some of the most popular events include the Gyumri International Biennial of Contemporary Art and the Gyumri Beer Festival. Overall, Gyumri is a fascinating destination for those interested in Armenian culture and history. With its unique architecture, delicious food, and lively cultural scene, it is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Armenia. @ Gyumri > About > History In 1840 Gyumri is announced a city and after 10 years, in 1850 it becomes the center of Aleksandrapol region of Yerevan state. The headquarters of the Governor was in the city. It was an important post for the Russian troops in Trans-Caucasus. The military barracks were established in the city (Poligons, Severski, Kazachi Post). Gyumri Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and the capital of the Shirak Province in Northern Armenia. Much of the historic center dates to the days when Gyumri was an outpost of the Russian Czar in the Southern Caucasus, and the architecture reflects that. The buildings, of dark black stone are primarily 1800s Russian in style, with Armenian ... Gyumri Gyumri. Gyumri is the city of masters. The craftsmen, among them stone-cutters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths and carpenters carefully preserve the skills they have inherited from their grandpas and those that preceded them. The city of Gyumri is located 126 kilometers from capital Yerevan and it takes around two hours to get there. Gyumri GEOGRAPHY. Gyumri is situated 126 km from Yerevan (capital of the Republic of Armenia). It lies in the northwestern part of Armenia in the central Shirak Highland. It sits 1550 feet above sea level, with a territory of 4429 hectares. Gyumri is the regional center and has history dating back at least five thousand years. Gyumri Gyumri is located in the northwestern part of the region and is the second-largest city of Armenia. The city has changed its name several times: in the 19th century it was known as Alexandrapol, then was renamed Leninakan during the Soviet period, and in 1992 when Armenia, at last, became an independent country, the city was renamed Gyumri. 7 facts about Gyumri you might not know Facts about Gyumri: The first mention of Gyumri is in the 8th century BC as Kumayri by the Urartians. Jokes sound better when told in the Gyumri dialect. Gyumri has a wall of jokes. Gyumri has preserved authentic historical urban Armenian architecture. The oldest barbershop in Armenia is in Gyumri. The first Armenian Theater House was built in ... Gyumri tour and historical facts by local guide Armen Hovsepyan Discover the beautiful Armenian city of Gyumri and its old and rich history with our local guide Armen.— Learn more about Armen's project:https://arev.link/... Gyumri: what to see in the second capital of Armenia The station building is visible from afar: it is decorated with a high spire. Opposite there is a monument to the hero of the Armenian folk epic David of Sasun. Regular trains to Gyumri leave at 07:55, 14:25 and 18:25. Travel time is a little over three hours. The ticket will cost 1400 drams per person. Explore Gyumri's architectural history Gyumri's center has been rebuilt after the 1988 earthquake to become a technological and cultural hub once again. Learn about Gyumri's 3000-year-old history from local experts at the City Research Center. Visitors point to a map of Gyumri, a city of more than 100,000 people. A resident of Gyumri poses with his horses. Kumayri historic district The Kumayri historic district, also known as the Kumayri Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve, is the oldest part of Gyumri with its own unique architecture. It has more than a thousand buildings dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. The district is one of few places in Armenia, and the world, with authentic urban Armenian architecture.Almost all the structures of the Kumayri district ... 20 Facts About Gyumri FactSnippet No. 1,385,775. 5. Gyumri was celebrated as the Capital of Culture of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2013. FactSnippet No. 1,385,776. 6. Gyumri is 126 kilometres north of the capital Yerevan at the central part of the Shirak plateau. FactSnippet No. 1,385,777. 7. GYUMRI: ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN OBSERVATIONS Gyumri has been the cultural center of Armenia for centuries. The city has been renamed several times - Kumayri, Alexandropol, Leninakan and Gyumri at present. After the 1988 earthquake, the city was almost destroyed, but in the 2000s the city's ... Related Papers. The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis