According to Nexticle.net, Goris is the administrative center of the Syunik region, located in the southeastern part of Armenia. The city is located in the valley of the Vararak River, 250 km from Yerevan. Goris is surrounded by rocky ridges, which are called Goris Stone Forest. And in fact, the stone pyramids towering here, pillars and columns of different colors, formed as a result of weathering, look like mighty trees. The stone forest of Goris is one of the few places on earth where you can see such remnants. You can look at this miracle of nature from the observation deck, which is located at the entrance to Goris. Another no less famous sight of Goris is cave settlements of Bartsravane, Keres, Khndzoresk and Shinuayre. They are located on the opposite bank of the Vararak River. The settlements were carved into the rock foundations and consisted of several tiers. The cave cities surrounding Goris were inhabited from ancient times until the middle of the 20th century.
To the west of Goris in the valley of the Vorotan River is the city of Sisian, where the Sisavan church of the 7th century with fragments of ancient paintings has been preserved. Not far from Sisian is the Shaki waterfall, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Armenia.. The waterfall was formed on the tributary of the Vorotan – the river Shaki. The waterfall is interesting because, due to the hydroelectric power station installed nearby, which uses the waters of the river, the flow of water periodically decreases, then increases, as if someone turns it on and off.
Also from Goris you can go to the south of the region to a wonderful monument of ancient architecture – Tatev Monastery. The monastery was founded in the 9th century on the site of an ancient sanctuary and had powerful fortifications, as it was located on the borders of the Syunik principality. Due to its strategic position, the monastery had to perform the functions of not only the religious center of Eastern Armenia but also the political center. That is why the monastery had powerful defensive fortifications, as well as many secret passages and vaults.
In addition, the Inter-Republican Reserve Karagelsky (Sevlich) is located in the vicinity of Goris, which was organized in 1987 with the aim of protecting the natural complex of the high-mountain lake Karagel (Sevlich). Lake Karagel lies at an altitude of 2658 m in the crater of an extinct volcano. Its length reaches 1950 m, maximum width – 1250 m, maximum depth – 7.8 m. The vegetation of the lake coast is represented mainly by meadow communities. In 1967, the Sevan trout was acclimatized in the lake. Recently, from Goris, you can go along the modern highway to the unrecognized
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which is located on the territory of Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh has been inhabited by Armenians since ancient times, and therefore its main attractions, as well as in Armenia, are numerous medieval Christian monasteries and fortresses.
Gyumri (Armenia)
Gyumri is located in the north-west of Armenia, 115 km from Yerevan, on the vast Shirak plateau. It is the center of the Shirak region and the second largest city in the state. The city has been known since the 2nd century BC. e., which makes it one of the most ancient cities of Armenia. Until 1837 it was called Kumayri. Later, by order of Nicholas I, it was renamed Alexandropol in honor of the emperor’s wife. In 1924, Alexandropol, which became Soviet, was renamed Leninakan, and after the declaration of independence of Armenia in 1991, it was named Gyumri. In 1988 Gyumri was significantly destroyed as a result of the Spitak earthquake. Today, the city is almost rebuilt, but some of its sights have disappeared forever.
In Gyumri, the Russian Black Fortress of the 19th century is interesting, from where you can see the whole city, Freedom Square with the churches of the 19th century Surb Amenaprkich and Surb Astvatsatsin, the City Park with numerous cafes, attractions and a zoo, an Art Gallery, the House-Museum of the sculptor Merkulov, the Museum of Local Lore and traditional Armenian buildings made of volcanic tuff.
10 km northwest of Gyumri is the ancient monastery of Marmashen.. The main monastery church – Katoghike – was built at the beginning of the 11th century. The monastery was destroyed by the Seljuks, but in the 13th century the princes of Pahlavuni undertook its restoration. It is believed that the tomb of Prince Vahram Pahlavuni is located here. Not far from here, near the village of Vahramaberd, you can see fragments of the walls of a fortress built during the time of the state of Urartu. South of Gyumri, near the border with Turkey, are the ruins of the capital of Armenia during the reign of the Bagratids (10-11 centuries) – Ani, which was called the city of 1001 churches and which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1319, and the city of Anipemza, in which the remains of the basilica of the 5th century have been preserved. A little to the east in the village of Harich is the monastery of Harichavank.. From the middle of the 19th century the monastery served as the summer residence of the Catholicoses. The churches of Surb Grigor of the 7th century and Surb Astvatsatsin of the 13th century and magnificent wall paintings of the 7th century are of interest here.
