Yeghegnadzor

Yeghegnadzor Եղեգնաձոր
Yeghegnadzor skyline
Country	Armenia
Marz	Vayots Dzor
First mentioned	5th century
Government
• Mayor	David Harutyunuan
Area
• Total	6 km2 (2 sq mi)
Elevation	1,194 m (3,917 ft)
Population  (2011 census)
• Total	7,944
• Density	1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+4 (GMT +4)
Area code	(+374) 281
Website	Official website
Sources: Population

Yeghegnadzor (Template:Lang-hy), is a town in Armenia and the capital of the Vayots Dzor Province. It is located 123 km south of the capital Yerevan, on the shores of Srkghonk River (Template:Lang-hy), at a height of 1194 meters above sea level. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 7,944.

Etymology

The name Yeghegnadzor is consisted of two Armenian words: yegheg (Template:Lang-hy) meaning cane, and dzor (Template:Lang-hy) meaning valley. Thus, the name of the town means "valley of canes". This means that this valley produces much cane.

History

General view of Yeghegnadzor

The settlement was first mentioned as Pondzatagh during the 5th century. Historically, it belongs to the Vayots Dzor canton of Syunik; the 9th province of Greater Armenia (Armenia Major). However, the excavated layer of a cemetery and the remains of a mausoleum from the 1st millennium BC testify that the area has been settled long before the 5th century. The remains of the Urartian fortress near the town dates back to the 7th century BC.

According to historical records from the 1st quarter of the 9th century, when Syunats Prince Philip, son of Vasak, moved his residence from Sisian to Vayots Dzor and fortified in Yeghegis, the name Yeghegnadzor or Yeghegyats Dzor spread across the entire province. During the Middle Ages, the Silk Road passed through the area of Vayots Dzor, particularly the road that currently links the town of Martuni with Yeghegnadzor. Many significant churches, monastic complexes, bridges and caravanserais were built in the region between the 10th and 13th centuries, when Yeghegnadzor was part of the Kingdom of Syunik under the rule of the Siunia dynasty.

The period between the 15th and 17th centuries is considered to be the darkest period in the history of Yeghegnadzor. The region was turned into a frequent battlefield between the invading troops of the Turkic and Iranian tribes. As a result, many significant monuments and prosperous villages were destroyed and the population was displaced. By the beginning of the 19th century, Yeghgnadzor was known as Keshishkend. After the Treaty of Turkmenchay of 1828, Yeghegnadzor became part of the Sharur-Daralagezsky Uyezd of the Erivan Governorate of the Russian Empire.

The entrance to Yeghegnadzor

Between 1918 and 1920 it was included in the short-lived Republic of Armenia.

After the Sovietization of Armenia, the town became one of the predominant centres of the resistance against the Soviet rule and formed the unrecognized Republic of Mountainous Armenia under the leadership of Garegin Nzhdeh. However, after falling to the Bolsheviks in July 1921, it became part of the Armenian SSR.

The town was known as Keshishkend until 1935 when it was renamed Mikoyan after the Bolshevik leader Anastas Mikoyan. On 6 December 1956, the town was renamed Yeghegnadzor, restoring its historical name.

Geography and climate

Landscape around Yeghegnadzor

Yeghegnadzor is situated at 1,194 metres above sea level. The lower and medium highlands are mainly semi-deserts. It is built across the right and left banks of the Srkghonk River, a tributary of the Arpa River. The town is immediately bordered by the villag of Gladzor from the north.

The town has a dry continental climate and large diurnal temperature fluctuations with the average annual rainfalls of 400 mm and mountain-valley winds. The average air temperature in January is 5-6◦C, with a coldest temperature of -22◦C and highest of +35◦C in July. The climate is mild with snowy winters and warm summers.

The surrounding areas of the town are home to some mammals including bezoar ibex, wolf and fox; reptiles including adder and viper; and birds including partridge and sparrow.

Demographics

The Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God in Yeghegnadzor, dating back to the 12th century

Population

Many ancestors of Yeghegnadzor's population migrated from Khoy and Salmast in Iran.

Year	1831	1897	1926	1939	1959	1980	2001	2011
Population	332	1,307	1,583	2,567	3,567	7,053	8,178	7,944

Religion

The vast majority of Yeghegnadzor populeation are ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Vayots Dzor, headed by Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan. The Holy Mother of God Cathedral (known also as Surp Sarkis) in Yeghegnadzor is the seat of the diocese.

Culture

The archaeological museum

Yeghegnadzor is the largest town and the cultural centre of Vayots Dzor Province. It has a cultural palace, a public library and an archaeological museum. The town is also home to an art school, a sports school and a musical academy. There is an amphitheater in the Momik public park at the centre of the town. The park is also home to a vishapakar (dragon stone) dating back to the 2nd millennium BC.

The people in Yeghegnadzor are mainly conservative. They largely celebrate the religious and traditional feasts, including Trndez and Vardavar. However, the most popular celebration in the town is the harvest festival, taking place every year on the second Sunday of October. Locals from all villages take part in the parade on cars decorated with flowers, bringing their own crops, berries typical to their territories. Theatrical shows and concerts are being held during the festival.

Monuments

Noravank monastic complex

• Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, formerly known as Surp Sarkis church, built in the 12th century and renovated in 1878. The basilica is located at the center of Yeghegnadzor and serves as the seat of the Vayots Dzor Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
• Proshaberd fortress (Boloraberd fortress) of the 13th century, located few kilometers to the north-east of Yeghegnadzor, near the villages of Gladzor and Vernashen.
• The historic University of Gladzor of the 13th century, located in the village of Gladzor at the outskirts of Yeghegnadzor.
• Agarakadzor bridge, 13th century.
• Noravank monastic complex of the 13th century, located few kilometers away from Yeghegnadzor, to the southwest of the town.
• Spitakavor Monastery of the Holy Mother of God built in 1321, located just to the north of Yeghegnadzor near the village of Vernashen.

Transportation

The M-2 Motorway that connect Armenia from north to south, passes through the town.

On the other hand, Yeghegnadzor is domestically connected with other parts of Vayots Dzor through the H-40 and H-47 Roads.

Economy

Inside Yeghegnadzor

The economy of the town is based on the construction sector and food-processing industry. Among the largest industrial plants of the town are the wine factory, the cheese factory and the cannery. There are many firms as well for electro-mechanical tools production. Light productions of building materials, textile, carpet and jewellery are also found in the town.

During the Soviet period, Yeghegnadzor used to be one of the industrial centres of the Armenian SSR. The relay factory of Yeghegnadzor used to accommodate 1100 workers. The knitwear factory used to accommodate more than 500 workers, while the shoe factory had around 200 workers.

Agriculture, including farming, cattle-breeding and bee-keeping are found in the suburbs of Yeghegnadzor.

Education

In 2004, the Giteliq University was opened in the town. Currently it has 12 faculties. The Yeghegnadzor campus of the Armenian State University of Economics is operating since 2008.

Currently, there are 4 public schools as well as 3 kindergartens operating in Yeghegnadzor.

Sport

Yeghegnadzor City Stadium

Arpa FC of Yeghegnadzor -founded as Momik FC in 1992- used to represent the town in the Armenian Premier League football competition. Like many other Armenian football clubs, Arpa FC was dissolved in early 2003 and is currently inactive from professional football.

The Yeghegnadzor City Stadium opened in 1985, is able to accommodate around 500 spectators.

External links

• Cilicia.com entry on the region
• Yeghegnadzor travel guide from Wikivoyage