Gyumri

With around 110,000 inhabitants, Gyumri is Armenia's second largest city and the cultural heart of the north-western Shirak Province, sitting on the Akhurian plateau at roughly 1,550 metres altitude. In the 19th century the town flourished as Alexandropol, a Russian garrison and trading hub, developing a unique urban ensemble of merchant houses built from black and red volcanic tuff, wrought-iron balconies, inner courtyards and neoclassical churches, much of it preserved in the historic Kumayri district and around Vardanants Square. The catastrophic earthquake of 7 December 1988 measured 6.8 and killed roughly 25,000 people across the region; rebuilding has continued for decades. Gyumri is regarded as the secret capital of Armenian humour, folk music (the ashughs), handicrafts and ironwork, and still hosts a Russian military base alongside universities, museums and a lively arts quarter along the old railway line.

Nearby cities

Artik

Artik is widely known for its extensive tuff stone quarries, which have supplied building materials across the country.

Spitak

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

Tashir

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

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.

Stepanavan

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

Akhalkalaki

Akhalkalaki is located on the Javakheti Plateau near the Armenian border and has a predominantly Armenian population.

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.

Vanadzor

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

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.

Paravani Lake

Paravani Lake is the largest lake in Georgia by surface area, located on a volcanic plateau in the south of the country.

Lake Çıldır

Lake Çıldır is a large alpine lake in northeastern Turkey that completely freezes over during winter.

Pambak River

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

Kasagh River

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

More places

Shirak Wheat Fields

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

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.

Ani

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

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.

Javakheti Protected Areas

The volcanic plateau in southern Georgia is characterized by numerous lakes and a harsh, treeless landscape.

Javakheti Plateau

The vast, volcanic Javakheti Plateau in southern Georgia is known for its cool, harsh climate.