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| Gyumri Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Andranik Andranik Vahe Manukian Gyumri-Alexandrapol has been famous not only for its craftsmen, men of arts and cultural values but also for its churches. I saw a town amateur of church Dwellers about twenty thousand not so much, They have no bread for feeding their kids But they built seven temples, eyed the wits. |
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| In his famous song "Eyed the Wits" bard Jivani characterized the love of the
Gyumri people towards churches. People called Gyumri "The Town of Seven
Churches". In fact, seven churches were built in Gyumri, among them four
Armenian Apostolic churches, a Russian, a Greek and Catholic churches. The
Catholic church was built in 1852. The construction works were led by
clergyman Alexander Araratyan, whose gravestone is situated in the
churchyard. All the ecclesiastical expenditure was covered by the catholic
families living in the neighborhood. The only Greek church (founded in 1850), called "Uroms" church, was built by means of the Bayandur villagers, the priest of which was Ter-Kostandin. The Russian church with a curved cross, called "Plplan" was built on Teryan Street. Because of the emitting brightness of the dome the people called it "Plplan" church (meaning "Shining" in translation). There were no ecclesiastical ceremonies conducted in this church. When any high-rank officer died, the corpse was placed in the church for the entire night and buried in the near-by cemetery the next day. The church of "Gyughatsots" (St. Grigor Enlighter) was built in 1862. This name was given to the church not because most visitors were poor peasants but because of the construction the peasants carried out with their expenditure and according to their own "taste", without maintaining the symmetries accepted in the Armenian architecture. Therefore, judging by the external view, people named it "Gyughatsots". There used to be an elementary school working within the church. Later on the church was turned into a corn store and given to a beer-producing factory. Almost all the other churches shared the same fate during the atheistic years of Soviet Armenia. One of the four Apostolic churches in Gyumri is "Saint Nshan" or the "Sev Zham", built in 1870. The construction works were headed by the spiritual leader, clergyman Ananikyan. Sahganushian gymnasium operated within the church. During the years of Soviet Power the church was turned into an observatory, at the opening of which V. Hambardzumyan was present. There is an interesting incident connected with the observatory. The circular lightning caused significant damage to the astronomical equipment by penetrating into the church from the dome, and its cross would bend because of it. The observatory didn't reopen after its closing, while the cross erects later on and gets back its previous appearance. During the earthquake of 1988 Saint Nshan got damaged, but at present it is being reconstructed by the mayor's efforts. It is said that an Armenian believer was once kicked out of the Greek Church, and by doing so the people of Gyumri became motivated to build the church "Amenaprkitch". The highest church among the ones built in the town is "Uroms". In 1854-1873 under the direction of Tadevos Andikyan "Saint Amenaprkitch" church was built in the centre of Gyumri, following the model of the Ani Temple. Because of its size the church casted a shadow on the Greek and Catholic churches, situated on the two sides. "Amenaprkitch" was consecrated in 1873. The churches of Gyumri, "Saint Astvatsatsin" or "Saint Yotverk" was built in 17th century. At first the church was log. There was Arghutyan women's school built in front of the "Saint Astvatsatsin" Church, the sponsor of which was Ghayram Arghutyan, a well-known Armenian merchant from Tiflis. Ghazaros Aghayan taught in this school. The name "Saint Yotverk" represents the message of the picture "Yotverk", kept in the church, which was made on the manuscript by Ghukas Avetaranich. This picture symbolizes the seven wounds of the Blessed Virgin. The seven words uttered by Crucified Christ "plunged" into Maria's heart. The manuscript was brought to Aleksandropol by refugees. Then catholicos Nerses Ashtaraketsi takes the picture to Echmiadzin in order to save the people from drought. The picture rescues the people from the claws of drought. Nevertheless, the picture of Yotverk was returned to Gyumri and since then has been kept in "Saint Yotverk" church. Despite the fact that "Amenaprkitch" exceeds it in its size, "Saint Yotverk" became the church of the town due to its significance. During the soviet times only Echmiadzin Temple and Saint Yotverk church functioned on the territory of Armenia. When the other churches in the town were closed, one of the vestries of "Saint Yotverk" served for the Catholics, while the other - for Russian believers. That is how the main church of the town united all the believers. Now, when the spiritual life awakens in Gyumri after 70 year-old sleep, the role and the significance of the church is extremely great in remaining steady in belief _____________History Edit This Old Gyumri Old Gyumri Pidjikian Hamik Shirak is one of the chief towns of Airarat province in historic Armenia. It lies on the middle and lower reaches of the river Akhurian and occupies about 3730 square kilometers. Set at 1530 sea level, Shirak plateau is mainly in black earth belt. The biggest river of the region is Akhurian that originates from lake Arpi and dividing the plateau into two parts joins the Araks in the South. The river has several tributaries that wash the valley. Historic district Shirak has been inhabited since the early stone age. The flora and the fauna, the latter is argumentated by various discoveries remains of fossils, give an evidence that the region was favorable for gathering, hunting and sources of flint, dacite, volcanic glass served as raw materials for making stone tools. At the end of the 4th century BC Shirak turns into the bronze age. Numerous places with historic monuments, castles testify to this period. Though in Shirak region Enolitic monuments haven't been studied yet, but early rich bronze age culture is supposed to have been undoubtfully inherited by the previous one. In early bronze age are utilized not only foothills but also highly mountainious regions that are 2000 meters above the sea level. The early and late bronze age (20-12 centuries BC) gave birth to the development of economy, culture and social relations that are witnessed by various monuments and archeological units. In this period in Armenian chains, according to Hittite and Assoryan sources, are created tribal communities. In the 12 century BC in Armenian plateau begins treatment of iron favoured the further development of Shirak's economy and social relations, growth of agriculture, cattle-breeding and arts. In the 9th century BC in the pond of Vana lake is creared Urartu state which with its simultaneous growth began to occupy and override neighbour tribes, making their territories its organic part. The first Urartu kings (Argishti I 786-764 BC) two cuneiform records remain, where he tells us about Eriarkh's invasion of Shirak and about its booty. Victorious records of Van's kingdom contain rich material about the population of Shirak, about highly developed agriculture and cattle-raising of this period there is a version that Shirak originates from the name Eriarkh that is recorded in Urartu cuneiforms. For many centuries Shirak has been one of the main hearths of wheat cultivation. After the fall of Urartu Shirak was still one of the organic parts of Armenian kingdom and which later turned into a satrap Achemenid Iran. One of the best manisfestation of Shirak culture of this period is Beniamin antique residence (5-2BC) in the royal house of which is vividly outlined the influence of Achemenid culture and its local mainfestation. During the last years of reign of king Ervand (3 century BC) the royal residence moved from capital Armavir to newly estabilished Ervandashat town that was in the south of Shirak, in the place where the waters of the river Araks join the waters of Akhurian. King Artashes I reign (189-160 BC) brought about a rapid advance in national economy, culture and it became especially powerful and prevalent under the Armenian king Tigranes the Great (95-55 BC). Written records gave evidence that Shirak being on the crossroads was bound up with cultural centers of neighbouring countries. Artashat-Sebastapolic highway, that was mentioned in Pyetingeryan boards, passed through Shirak to Georgia and Abkhazia. The importance of this way was also highly estimated in middle ages. During the Arshakids reign (half of the 1 century AD) when feudal relations rooted in Armenia, Shirak previously regalprovince was given to a great Kamsar family. At the beginning of the 4th century after having adopted Christianity in Armenia as state religion, new types of religious constructions began to be built among which cathedral Yererots and others that have survived up to nowdays as masterpieces of middle Armenian architecture. After the fall of Arshaks reign and after seizure of Armenia by Arabs, Kamsar nobility was still at the power in Shirak. This was a period of rising of material and cultural level; the province became famous for its numerous astounding architectural monuments, for its cultural workers and service men. At Bagratids time (9-11 centuries) the province was on a new rise. In 961 Ani was estabilished as capital and in a short time it became one of the biggest and popular cities in the East. The population was about 100.000 in the 11-13 centuries. The fast upsurge of the city was conditioned not only by the economic rise but also by its suitable geographical position; it was nearly in the heart of the Bagratunyants kingdom and with its convenient ways was tied both with various parts of Armenia and with Georgia, Caucasus Alban, Iran, the Mediterraneian, Byzantine and with the districts neighbouring the Black Sea. Arts, culture, trade are flourished in the city. Ani had a wide market square, numerous hotels and inns. In the second half of the 10 century the descendants of Kamsar family - Pahlavuni generation who had been cut off social life, played an active part in economic, cultural, military, political life of the province. A lot of castles, barracks, cloister composites as Haringe, Horomos, Khtkong, Marmashen etc, were not only hearts of religion and art but they were also great industrial economic units. Numerous historical-archeological monuments in Shirak region, several lithographs and family cemetry in Marmashen cloister testify to energetic activity of Pahlavuni generation in constructing. There was a considerable abatement in national economy, culture when the province was occupied by turks and after the fall of Bagratunyan family. Only in 1199 when the province was set free from turks and the Zakaryans began to rule the country. They brought about a rapid advance in economy, culture, arts. In the 12-13 centuries are highly developed outer and inner trades. But at the same time inner fights in nobilities all over the territory of Iran, rising of dines prevented the further development of trade. The situation made them find out new ways of trade with Poland, Russia etc. This short "flight" of Shirak was interrupted by the seizure of Mongolians and Tatars who ruled the country in the 13-14 centuries. In 1555 Sephid Iran and Ottoman Turkish concluded a treaty according to which Armenia was divided into two parts: Western Armenia became an organic part of Iran and Eastern Armenia - part of Turkey. This political situation survived till the 19 century. After Russo-Persian war of 1804-1813 according to Gylistan treaty Western Shirak became an integral part of Russia. Within the years of 1829-1830 a lot of Armenian families from Western Shirak towns Kars and Karin migrated to this part. In 1837 Russian tsar Nikolay I paid a visit to Shirak. On the river Akhurian near the village Gyumri was built a fortress and a stronghold town which was called Alexandrapol in honour of tsarina, which later in 1924 was renamed Leninakan and in 1992 Gyumri. Gyumri is one of the ancient towns of Armenia. All over the territory of town you can find several monuments, fortress-residence, mausoleum fields, churches testifying to the fact that there has been life here for more than 5000 years. For the first time it is mentioned in the 8 century manuscript as Kumayri by historician Gevond. Here in Shirak province in 744 took place a victorious battle against Arabic usurpers. For many centuries Kumayri has been mentioned in variations Koumiri, Kimiri, Giumri. In 1992 the town was again renamed Giumri. In 1849 was created province Yerevan and district Alexandrapol, which with its borders mainly corresponded to the eastern part of historic Shirak. Later the western part of Shirak was included in region Kars. Very soon Alexandrapol became one of the biggest flourishing towns in Shirak. In 1897 according to general census its population was 131417, including 120 villages. In 1899 when the first railroad was built, it turned into an important transport junction. At the turn of the 20 century the population of town was 51000. Industry, arts, trade, education and culture were in the process of development. The First World War, revolutions, Turkish intervention of 1918-1920 that was accompanied booty massdere destroyed the industry of the province and made thousands of people migrate. Especially Turkish occupation of 1918-1921 was very cruel. After the establishment of Soviet Power a new page began in the life of province. In 1924 Alexandrapol was renamed Leninakan and Leninakan province was abolished. According to a new territorial -administration division Shirak was divided into 5 regions. In 1926 the total population was 54857 but in 1988 204.000. The development of industry, culture and science ceased when terrible earthquake of 1988 began. According to new administration division of Armenian Republic Shirak region with its capital Gyumri occupies the same territory. |
