Artik

Artik lies in the north-western Shirak Province, about 30 km south-east of Gyumri and 90 km north of Yerevan, at roughly 1,700 metres altitude on the southern slopes of the Aragats massif. The town, home to around 14,000 inhabitants, was granted city status in 1945 and has been famous since the 19th century for its huge open-pit quarries, terraced into the volcanic slope, which yield pink, beige and cream-coloured tuff. This stone has shaped countless buildings across Armenia, including much of Yerevan and Lenin's mausoleum in Moscow. Artik was severely damaged by the 1988 earthquake; many of the 1970s apartment blocks collapsed. The city is today a centre of tuff and basalt processing, with stone-cutting and sculpting workshops, a beautiful medieval Surb Gevorg church and, nearby, the 7th-century cross-domed Lmbatavank church.

Nearby cities

Gyumri

Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia, famous for its historical architecture and rich cultural heritage.

Spitak

Spitak is a rebuilt city that was almost completely destroyed by a catastrophic earthquake in 1988.

Armavir

Armavir is an ancient city that served as one of the historical capitals of Armenia, now a modern administrative center.

Byurakan

A scientific hub on the slopes of Mount Aragats, famous for its world-class astrophysical observatory and ancient churches.

Ashtarak

Ashtarak is an ancient city straddling the Kasagh River gorge, rich in medieval bridges and old churches.

Vagharshapat

Often referred to as Echmiadzin, this city is the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Metsamor

Metsamor is a modern city built to house the workers of Armenia's only nuclear power plant.

Tashir

Tashir is a town in the Lori Province known for its dairy products and cool alpine climate.

Stepanavan

Stepanavan is a northern resort city, cherished for its pine forests, cool climate, and the nearby Lori Berd ruins.

Vanadzor

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

Yeghvard

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

History & landmarks

Dmanisi

A world-renowned archaeological site where some of the oldest hominin fossils outside Africa were discovered.

Nature

Lake Arpi

Lake Arpi is located in northwestern Armenia and is the center of the national park of the same name.

Lake Kari

Lake Kari is a high-altitude mountain lake at the foot of Mount Aragats, formed mostly by meltwater.

Kasagh River

The Kasagh flows through western Armenia, creating a deep gorge along which many monasteries are located.

Pambak River

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

More places

Shirak Airport Cargo Center

The Shirak Airport Cargo Center in Gyumri serves as Armenia's secondary air freight hub.

Shirak Plain

A large high plateau in northwestern Armenia known for its cold winters and fertile soils.

Shirak Wheat Fields

The vast, golden wheat fields in the Shirak province ensure the country's grain supply and define the flat landscape.

Dashtadem Fortress

A substantial medieval fortress, continuously expanded from the 10th to the 19th centuries.

Mount Aragats

The highest mountain in Armenia, a massive inactive volcano with four peaks.

Aruchavank

The remains of one of the largest 7th-century Armenian churches, originally featuring a massive dome.

Amberd Fortress

A 7th-century fortress situated 2,300 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Aragats.

Ani

Ani was once a magnificent Armenian capital, now lying as an abandoned ruined city on the Turkish-Armenian border.