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Syunik

Syunik is one of the most beautiful provinces in Armenia with magnificent landscapes, picturesque towns and villages. This marz is surrounded by the Zangezur mountains and it’s the important southern gateway of Armenia. Vorotan, Vokhdzhu, Megri rivers flow the territory of the marz. This mountainous area is rich in high mountain ranges, alpine meadows and caves. Kapan is the capital of marz.

In close proximity there’s Goris, one of the most beautiful towns of Armenia. Fascinating architecture, landscape, unusual and delicious cuisine, which can be found only here, represent the charm of this city. For those who want to visit Karabakh or the south of the country, Goris and Sisian are great places to have a rest before a trip.

Goris

In a mountain valley surrounded by rocky ridges and cliffs there’s a small but well-planned town of Goris. At the beginning of the era there were ancient settlements here, however, the first signs of urban life emerged in Goris only in the second half of the past century.

According to the master plan, the urban area was formed by 36 streets, intersecting at right angles. In the south-eastern part of the town there was planned a square, surrounded by two-storey stone buildings for public and commercial use. Next to the square there was arranged a small public garden occupying 17,000 sq. m. Each citizen, who wanted to build a house on the territory specified by the plan, was provided with a land plot of nearly 1,800 sq. m. Construction was accompanied by a number of mandatory conditions: houses should be erected on the red line, at least façade parts should be made of stone, external shapes of houses should harmonize with those nearby.

It should be noted that urban planners had completed the desired plan of urban area, and the town turned to be a comfortable place for living with sturdy houses, rectangular paved streets, and reasonably located downtown. The streets of Goris differed not only by names. Six main streets of 24 meters each were intersected with six secondary ones of 17 meters. This “net” formed blocks of 106x212 meters each, which were very convenient for citizens. Already in the 19th century Goris was a perfect example of a well-planned green and cozy provincial town surrounded by picturesque mountain landscape.

Keres village ruins

Not far from Goris, on the left bank of the rapid mountain river Varavak flowing down a hillside there are ruins of the Keres village. Some people believe that Goris got its name from this village. Inhabitants of this village that comes down the hill in the form of terraces, have been living here in half cave and cave dwellings.

This area of Zangezur has always been rich in natural caves. Since ancient times, they have been used like dwellings. After the onset of metal tools they were expanded and completed by forming rather large settlements. Ancestors of local people decided to settle there for several reasons. Firstly, these dwellings were economical in use, secondly, its location on steep slopes allowed a limited number of defenders to efficiently defend themselves from attackers, and finally, these dwellings were more reliable during frequent earthquakes in this region. A part of this area with rock dwellings remained in the vicinity of Goris-Khndzoresk, Shinuhayr, Bartsravan. In this region there are also several quite well preserved monasteries and temples.

Sisian

Sisian is located in the mountains of Syunik province, 217 km south of Yerevan, just a few kilometers from the main road between Yerevan and Stepanakert. Neighborhoods around the city are rugged and hilly, while Ltsen and Arevis villages are adorned with forests.

The climate is mild and temperate continental. The average temperature in January is about -5C , while in July it’s about 18C. The annual rainfall is approximately 360 mm.

The main river is Vorotan, around which 4 basins have been built.

Sisian is a paradise for nature lovers. Animals that can be found here include bears, wolves, foxes, rabbits, goats and badgers. A wide variety of birds can be determined, including quails, ducks, falcons and eagles. Rivers and basins of this region are abound in fish, the most expensive of which is a well-known trout.

 

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