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Gyumri

Coordinates: 40°47′22″N 43°50′51″E / 40.78944°N 43.84750°E / 40.78944; 43.84750
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Gyumri
Գյումրի
The statue of Mher Mkrtchyan • Dzitoghtsyan Museum in old Gyumri • The statue of Andranik Ozanian Gyumri Skyline • Central park of Gyumri Gyumri Vardananats Square • Shirak Province's administration
The statue of Mher Mkrtchyan • Dzitoghtsyan Museum in old Gyumri • The statue of Andranik Ozanian
Gyumri Skyline • Central park of Gyumri
Gyumri Vardananats Square • Shirak Province's administration
Official seal of Gyumri Գյումրի
Seal
Country Armenia
MarzShirak
Established401 BC
Government
 • MayorVartan Ghukasyan
Area
 • City
45 km2 (17 sq mi)
Elevation
1,509.3696 m (4,952.0000 ft)
Population
 (2009)
 • Density3,253/km2 (8,430/sq mi)
 • Metro
146,400
Time zoneUTC+4 (GMT+4)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+5 (GMT+5)
Websitewww.gyumri.am
Sources: Population [1]

40°47′22″N 43°50′51″E / 40.78944°N 43.84750°E / 40.78944; 43.84750 Gyumri (Template:Lang-hy, also Romanized as Kumayri, Kümri, Gumry, Gümrü, Gumri, Gimri, Kyumayri, and Kyumri) is the capital and largest city of the Shirak Province in northwest Armenia. It is located about 120 km from the capital Yerevan, and, with a population of 168,918 (2008; up from 150,917 reported at the 2001 census), is the second-largest city in Armenia.

The name of the city has been changed many times in history. It was first known as Kumayri or Gyumri, then Alexandropol (also, Alexandrapol, Alexandropol’, Aleksandropol’, Alek’pol, Alek’sandrobol, and Alek’sandrapol, 1840–1924), then Leninakan (Template:Lang-hy , 1924–1990), then again as Gyumri.

The city is situated on a 126 km distance north to Yerevan in the central part of the Shirak Highland, at an approximate height of 1550 meters above sea level. The Akhurian River passes through the western suburbs of Gyumri. Gyumri's climate is characterised with very severe and cold winters, where the minimum temperature could fall down to −41 °C (−42 °F). On the other hand, summers in Gyumri are relatively hot with temperatures could reach up to 36 °C (97 °F). The annual precipitation makes up to 500 millimetres (20 in) in average.

History

Old Alexandrapol with the Surb Amenaperkich (The Holy Saviour) Church

Gyumri is one of the oldest localities in Armenia. The region of Gyumri is mentioned in different Urartian inscriptions since 8th century BC.[2] The first settlement at the location occupied by today's city of Gyumri is believed to have been founded some time in the 5th century BC, perhaps ca. 401 BC, by Greek colonists.[1] An alternative theory suggests that the city was founded by Cimmerians, based on the fact that Cimmerians conquered the region in 720 BC and that the original name of the city was Kumayri.[2] Historians believe that Xenophon passed through Gyumri during his return to the Black Sea, immortalized in his Anabasis.[3]

During the Middle Ages Gyumri was known as a great settlement,[2] and the center of Armenian rebellion against the Islamic regime (733-755)

Panorama of Gyumri

Gyumri continued to develop in the 19th century, when, along with its surroundings, it became part of Russia, as a result of the Russo-Persian War (1804-1813). Gyumri came under Russian control in 1804 around 25 years earlier than the rest of Eastern Armenia. During this period it was one of the best-known cities of the Trans-Caucasus region. In 1829, on the heels of the Russo-Turkish War there was a major influx of population as about 3000 families from the Eastern Turkish cities like Kars, Erzurum, Doğubeyazıt and other places in the Ottoman Empire settled in Gyumri.

Russian poet Alexander Pushkin visited Gyumri during his journey to Erzurum in 1829.

In 1837 Russian Czar Nicholas I arrived in Gyumri and renamed the town Alexandropol. The name was chosen in honor of Czar Nicholas I's wife, Princess Charlotte of Prussia, who had changed her name to Alexandra Fyodorovna after converting to Orthodox Christianity. During the Soviet era Gyumri was renamed Leninakan in Lenin's honor. A major Russian fortress was built on the site in 1837. In the 1840s, Alexandrapol (a town since 1840) was quickly growing. It was an important outpost for the Imperial Russian military in the Transcaucasus, where their military barracks were established (Poligons, Severski, Kazachi Post).

Geopolitics

The Ottomans captured Gyumri in May 11, 1918 during the Caucasus Campaign in World War I but withdrew from it on December 24, 1918 after signing the Armistice of Mudros. During the Turkish-Armenian War, Turkey attacked Gyumri and occupied the city on November 7, 1920, after winning the Battle of Alexandropol. After the battle, the Turkish forces were headquartered in Gyumri. From this city the Turks presented the Armenians with an ultimatum that Armenia was forced to accept—otherwise Turkey would have invaded Yerevan, Armenia's capital, from their headquarters in Gyumri. Armenia was forced to sign the Treaty of Alexandropol to stop the Turkish advance towards Yerevan, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Armenia, thus ending the Turkish-Armenian War. Turkish forces withdrew from Alexandropol afterwards Treaty of Kars.

In 1924 the name was changed to Leninakan after the deceased Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. Leninakan was a major industrial center for the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and its second largest city, after Yerevan, the capital. The city suffered major damage during the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, which devastated large parts of the country.

The current name of the city was chosen in 1990, at the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Russian 102nd Military Base is located in the city. Today, Gyumri is Armenia's second largest city.

Main sites

Surb Neshan Church
Surb Hakob Church

As an old town, Gyumri has a rich history and unique style of architecture, but unfortunately it lost many of its historical and cultural buildings after the disastrous 1988 earthquake.

During the centuries Gyumri, the "city of trades and arts", has been famous for its schools, theaters, gusans and ashoughs. The first opera performance in Armenia took place in Gyumri in 1912, and the first Armenian opera theatre was also opened here in 1923.[4]

Kumayri

The Kumayri historic district in the city of Gyumri is like an open air museum. It is the old part of Gyumri with more than one thousand 18th and 19th century buildings and is the only place in the Republic of Armenia to see an authentic historic Armenian city. Nearly all the buildings in the Kumayri district have survived two major earthquakes, in 1926 and 1988. The distrcit lies at the core of present-day Gyumri, but archeological excavations have shown that the area has been populated since at least the third millennium BC. Numerous dwelling places, graves and settlements have been found. The first recorded mention of Kumayri is from 773 and describes the revolt against Arab domination led by Artavazd Mamikonyan that resulted in a revival of Armenian statehood. Later, during and after the reign of the Bagratids, Kumayri developed into a well-built modern town that was a center of commerce for the region.

Sev Ghul

Sev Ghul (meaning "Black Sentry") is a Russian fortress in Gyumri dating to the 1830s. It is built on a hill, heavily armed and in case of a siege, the fortress site could accommodate 15,000 soldiers and officers. At present, the 102nd military division of the Russian Federation is stationed here. The statue of "Mother Armenia" of Gyumri is erected on an adjacent hill.

Other sites

  • The Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum built in the 1880s, housing nearly 700 drawings, paintings and other works of The, the Soviet-era artists "Aslamazyan sisters".
  • The Dzitoghtsyan House-Museum or the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life of Gyumri, an old Gyumri mansion, houses collections covering both the history and everyday life of Gyumri as well as paintings and other works of art.
  • The Merkurov House-Museum.
  • House-Museum of Avetik Isahakyan.
  • House-Museum of Hovhannes Shiraz.
  • House-Museum of Mher Mkrtchyan.
  • Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God or the Seven Wounds of the Holy Mother of God, built in the 17th century.
  • Church of the Holy Saviour or Surb Amenaprkich, constructed between 1859-1873. Designed to resemble the Cathedral of Ani. The church was heavily damaged by the 1988 Spitak earthquake and is currently under reconstruction.
  • Surb Neshan Apostolic Church, built in 1870.
  • The Russian Orthodox church of Saint Nikolai the Wondeworker, also known as "Plplan Zham" (the Shimmering Chapel), built in 1879-80.
  • Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church of Gyumri.
  • Saint Jacob of Nisibis Apostolic Church (Surb Hakob Mtsbinetsi), built in 2005 in the centre of the city.
  • Gyumri's Central Park, founded in the 1920s on the site of the old city cemetery.

The restoration project of the damaged buildings of Gyumri has been spearheaded by Earthwatch to preserve the city's unique architecture.[5]

Economy and Transportation

Trolleybus lines in Gyumri
  • The economy of Gyumri is mostly depended on construction sector, tourism and banking services. Industry as well has a big share in the domestic product. The most important industrial activities are the production of building materials, yarn and textile manufacturing and food industries. Gyumri is home to Shirak "Gyumri" Beer Company.
  • During the pre-Soviet era, Alexandropol was considered to be the third most important trade and cultural center in the Trans-Caucasus after Tiflis and Baku (Yerevan would not rise to prominence until being proclaimed the capital of the independent Republic of Armenia in 1918 and Armenian SSR in 1920). At the end of the 19th century, the population of Alexandropol reached 32,100 residents, mostly Armenians. The first rail link to Alexandropol was finished in 1899, which was the Tiflis-Alexandropol railway. The rail line was then extended from Alexandropol to Yerevan, Jolfa (in 1906), and Tabriz. As a result, Alexandropol became an important rail hub.

Air transportation

Gyumri is served by the Shirak Airport, located about 5 km from the centre of the town. The airport offers regular flights to Moscow, Sochi and Rostov-on-Don. It also serves as an alternate airport to Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport. Being located on top of high mountains, the Shirak Airport is not of much preferable destinations for most air carriers.

The airport was renovated in 2007, after becoming under the supervision of Armenia International Airports CJSC, which is owned by the Argentine company Corporacion America headed by the Armenian businessman from Argentina Eduardo Eurnekian. During the renovation, the runway was repaved and work was done on the airport lighting and the main terminal. Enhancement works on other airport facilities are under process. According to Artem Movsisian, head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia, Corporacion America will have to turn the airport in Gyumri into a first-class airport. He also said the company has pledged to invest $10 million in 2007 to start modernization programme and within the upcoming years it will invest more to make the airport comply with international standards.[6]

Education, Religion and Sports

A renovated school in Gyumri
Gyumri City Stadium
  • Gyumri has a large number of educational institutions. It is considered the main cultural and educational centre of northern Armenia. The city has three major higher educational centers: the Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute named after Hovhannes Shiraz, "Progress" Gyumri University and "Imastaser Anania Shirakatsi" Gyumri University. Branches of Yerevan State University are also operating in the city. Currently, there are 47 public education schools, 23 nursery schools and 7 special schools for music are operating regularly in the city. Gyumri has a rich heritage of art and cultural legacy, and is considered to be the capital of Armenian humor.[7]
  • Almost the entire population of Gyumri belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Gyumri is the home of the Diocese of Shirak with the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God. The Armenian Catholic Church has a tiny community in Armenia headed by the Eparchy of Armenia and Eastern Europe which is based in Gyumri.[8] The presence of the small Russian Orthodox community in the city is marked with Saint Nikolai the Wonderworker's Church.[9]
  • Gyumri has a major contribution in the sports life of Armenia. Many olympic and world champion wrestlers, weightlifters and boxers are from Gyumri. The city is notable for its worldwide champions in individual types of sports, such as Robert Emmiyan in long jump, Yurik Vardanian in weightlifting and Ara Abrahamian in Greco-Roman wrestling. The city is home to the Armenian football (soccer) team FC Shirak. They play their home games at Gyumri City Stadium, built in 1924. Other teams from Gyumri are Aragats and Kumairi. The all-time leading scorer for the Armenia national football team Artur Petrosyan is from Gyumri. Lots of special sport schools are serving the young generation of Gyumri such as the School of Gymnastics, the School of Atheltics (named after Robert Emmiyan), the School of football (named after Levon Ishtoyan) and other special schools of boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, martial arts and chess.

Twin cities

Demographics

Vardanants Square

The population of Gyumri has gradually grown since 1840 after gaining the status of town. The huge decline of the population was due to the disastrous earthquake of 1988. The residents here have a distinct look and style, and a boundless pride in their city. Their own dialect is very close to Western Armenian.

Population chart of Gyumri throughout the history:[10]

Year Population
1829 ~600
1830 4,000
1850 15,000
1873 20,000
1897 30,600
1914 51,300
1923 58,600
1939 67,700
1959 108,400
1970 164,966
1984 222,000
1989 122,587
2001 150,917
2008 168,918

Famous natives

Statue of Avetik Isahakyan in Gyumri

Ararat Sarkissian, artist

See also

Film documentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp07nWWmavM http://armshop.in.ua/product/hovhannes-shiraz/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp07nWWmavM

References

  1. ^ Armstats:Population
  2. ^ a b Template:Ru icon Leninakan in Great Soviet Encyclopedia [dead link‍]
  3. ^ || GyumriTown.com | The #1 Internet Site for Gyumri Armenia |||
  4. ^ Vocalno-enciklopedicheskiy slovar, by M. Again (in Russian) [dead link‍]
  5. ^ Georgia Brown (May 2, 2007). Andy Burnham (ed.). "Rebuilding Armenia". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Armenian Civil Aviation Department - Gyumri Airport
  7. ^ "Virtual Tourist: Gyumri - The capital city of humor of Armenia". Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Armenian Catholic Church:The Eparchy of Armenia & Oriental Europe
  9. ^ www.gov.am:Religious organizations in Armenia (in Armenian)
  10. ^ Municipality of Gyumri:Population [dead link‍]

Footnotes

  • ^ See: Encyclopedia Britannica
  • Adrian Room, Placenames of the World: Origins and Meanings of the Names for Over 5000 Natural Features, Countries, Capitals, Territories, Cities and Historical Sites, McFarland, 1997, ISBN 978-0-7864-1814-5 (pbk) p. 192
  • ^ See http://www.gyumri.am/eng/history.html
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