Hrazdan

Hrazdan sits about 50 km north-east of Yerevan at roughly 1,750 metres altitude in the mountainous Kotayk Province and, with around 41,000 inhabitants, is one of northern Armenia's leading industrial cities. The town was created in 1959 by merging several mountain villages and the workers' settlement around the large Hrazdan thermal power plant and cement works; it takes its name from the Hrazdan River, which tumbles here from Lake Sevan towards Yerevan. In Soviet times Hrazdan was part of the energy backbone of Transcaucasia: its thermal plant supplied much of the Armenian SSR, and the town hosted several machinery and food-processing factories. The energy crisis of the 1990s and the temporary shutdown of the Metsamor nuclear plant only increased its strategic role. Today Hrazdan is shaped by Soviet architecture, ski tourism on nearby Mount Teghenis, the Hrazdan reservoir and Bjni fortress; it also serves as the capital of Kotayk Province and a railway junction on the line to Sevan.

Nearby cities

Abovyan

Abovyan is a modern industrial city located just north of Yerevan, serving as a major satellite town.

Charentsavan

Charentsavan was established in the mid-20th century as an industrial hub for machinery and tool manufacturing.

Yeghvard

Yeghvard is a small historic city in the Kotayk region, featuring medieval ruins and old churches.

Lchashen

Lchashen is a village near Lake Sevan, widely recognized for its important Bronze Age archaeological discoveries.

Sevan

Sevan is a popular resort town on the shores of Lake Sevan, Armenia's largest body of water.

Vanadzor

Vanadzor is an industrial and resort city in northern Armenia, surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests.

Dilijan

Often called the 'Armenian Switzerland', Dilijan is a spa town surrounded by dense forests and national parks.

Gavar

Gavar is a mountainous city located near Lake Sevan, known for its cold winters and historical monuments.

History & landmarks

Sevanavank

A monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan with scenic views.

Haghartsin Monastery

A 13th-century monastery complex hidden in the lush, emerald forests of Dilijan National Park.

Nature

Lake Akna

Lake Akna is a picturesque crater lake in the Geghama Mountains, surrounded by alpine meadows.

Hrazdan River

The Hrazdan is a major river in Armenia, flowing from Lake Sevan and passing through Yerevan.

Lake Parz

Lake Parz is a small forest lake in Dilijan National Park, known for its crystal-clear water.

Pambak River

The Pambak flows through northern Armenia, later joining the Dzoraget to form the Debed River.

More places

Hrazdan Cement Factory

The Hrazdan Cement Factory in the Kotayk Province was established in the 1970s to meet growing construction needs.

Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant

The Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant is one of the largest power plants in Armenia and primarily uses natural gas as fuel.

Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade

The Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade is a complex of hydroelectric power plants on the Hrazdan River, utilizing water from Lake Sevan.

Kotayk Plateau

An undulating highland stretching between the Hrazdan Valley and the Geghama Mountains.

Geghard Monastery

A medieval monastery being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs.

Garni Temple

A classical Hellenistic temple in Armenia, dedicated to the sun god Mithras.

Azat Valley

A picturesque valley in the Kotayk region, partly designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Erebuni State Reserve

A protected area for the conservation of rare wild wheat species and endemic flora of the Caucasus region.