Vanadzor

With a population of 80,000 people, the city of Vanadzor is the third largest city of the Republic of Armenia and the administrative and cultural center of the Lori province. Founded in 1828, when Armenia was a part of the Russian empire, it was called Gharakilisa, meaning black church (the church still stands in the city). After the Sovietization of Armenia, the city was renamed Kirovakan in honor of a Soviel politician Sergei Kirov. In 1992, following the independence of Armenia, the city was renamed again, acquiring its current name, Vanadzor.

In the Soviet times, Vanadzor was a major industrial city, famous for its chemical production. But with the collapse of the economy after Soviet Union’s fall, many factories closed down, and today their abandoned buildings stand like ghosts from the past. Some of the old factory buildings today house production of garments, food, construction materials, etc․

The city is also a regional transport hub connecting the villages and towns through a network of public transport. The railway connecting Yerevan to Tbilisi runs through Vanadzor.

Vanadzor’s neoclassical architecture set against the green mountains surrounding the city creates its own unique atmosphere. Vanadzor is famous among the youth as the rock music capital of Armenia.

Indeed, many famous musicians and rocks bands originated here, including Vordan Karmir, Lav Eli, The Clocker, and others. Today, Vanadzor is rapidly developing, becoming one of Armenia’s educational, cultural, and tourism centers.

What to see in Vanadzor

Museum of Local Lore Lori Pambak
Tairov’s Summer House
Church of the Holy Mother of God
Vanadzor Fine Arts Museum
Vanadzor Agriculture Market
Stepan Zoryan House-Museum

Dsegh

Situated at an elevation of 1250-1350 meters above sea level, the village of Dsegh, surrounded by forested mountain slopes and deep canyons, is one of the highlights of the Debed canyon. Although the current name of the village was first mentioned in the 15th century, several sources suggest that the area was inhabited from ancient times. Dsegh is a famous village in Armenia for it is the birthplace of Armenia’s national poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. The house of the Tumanyan family, where the poet was born, today operates as a museum frequently visited by locals from all over Armenia, making the village a popular tourist destination.

There are many cultural and historical sites in and around the village. A unique All Savior khachkar dated back to 1281 is located in the old cemetery of Dsegh.

Another cross-stone, called Sirun Khach (Beautiful Cross), created in 1251 is located outside the village on the edge of the Marts gorge. Two medieval monasteries, the 13th-century Monastery of Forty Saints and the 10th-13th cc. Bardzrakash St. Gregory monastery, are located on the slopes of the canyons surrounding the village. Both are accessible via marked hiking trails. Another trail will take you to the Tsover Lake, a natural pond about 3 km southeast of the village.

Being a popular tourist destination, Dsegh offers several guest houses and b&bs for staying overnight. A new addition to the hospitality network of the village is the “WOW Glamping” campsite, offering comfortable accommodation in large tents above the village, with some stunning views of surrounding landscapes.

What to see in Dsegh

Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum
Bardzrakash St. Gregory Monastery
Sirun Khach cross-stone
Monastery of Forty Saints
All-Savior cross-stone
Tsover Lake

Odzun

Located on a vast plateau overlooking the majestic Debed canyon, about 10 km south of the town of Alaverdi, the village of Odzun is one of the ancient settlements of the Gugark province of the historic Kingdom of Armenia, and one of the largest villages in the country. Odzun is renowned in Armenia for it is not only the birthplace of one of the Catholicoi of the Armenian church, Hovhannes Odznetsi (John of Odzun), but also home to a unique Armenian church, the Basilica of Odzun, the history of which dates back to as early as the 4th century.

The village derives its name from the Armenian word “to ordain,” “otsel.” According to Christian tradition, in the 1st century Thomas the Apostle, one of the 12 apostles of Christ, had priests ordained here, thus the name of the village.

Odzun is a popular tourist destination among locals, as a result of which, the village has a more or less developed tourism infrastructure, including hotels, guest houses, marked hiking trails, etc.

What to see in and around Odzun

Odzun Basilica
Horomayr Monastery (3 km)
St. John Monastery of Ardvi (8.5 km)
Odzi Port (Dragon Belly) natural monument (8.2 km)