Yeghegnadzor

Yeghegnadzor Եղեգնաձոր
Yeghegnadzor landscape
Yeghegnadzor Եղեգնաձոր
Coordinates:
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	GMT +4 (UTC+4)
Area code(s)	(+374) 281
Website	Official website
Sources: Population

Yeghegnadzor (Armenian: Եղեգնաձոր), is a town in Armenia and the capital of the Vayots Dzor Province. The name of the town means "the valley of canes" in the Armenian language. It is located 123 km south of the capital Yerevan, on the shores of Srkoghunk River (Armenian: Սրկողունք), at a height of 1194 meters above sea level.

As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 7,944.

Geography and climate

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 Srkoghunk tributary of the Arpa River and is flanked by the villages of Gladzor and Vernashen.

The area has severe 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.

History

Yeghegnadzor is one of the ancient settlements located in the Vayots Dzor canton of the historic province of Syunik; the 9th province of Greater Armenia (Armenia Major). The excavated layer of a cemetery and the remains of a mausoleum from the 1st millennium BC serves as a proof.

However, the settlement was first mentioned during the 5th century. The ruins of a medieval fortress could be found near the town.

The area Vayots Dzor was also named Yeghegnadzor or Yeghegyats Dzor. According to data dating back to the 1st quarter of the 9th century, when Syunats Prince Philip, son of Vasak, moved his residence from Sisian to Vayots Dzor and established it in Yeghegis, the name Yeghegnadzor or Yeghegyats Dzor spread across the entire province.

During the Middle Ages, Yeghgnadzor was known as Pondzatagh. Later, it was known as Yeghegyats and Yeghegnadzor. Starting from the early 19th century, Yeghegnadzor was known as Keshishkend until 1935 when it was renamed Mikoyan after the Bolshevik leader Anastas Mikoyan.

Economy and education

Yeghegnadzor City Stadium

The economy of the town is based on the construction sector and food-processing industry. The most notable industrial plant of the town is the wine factory. There are many firms as well for electro-mechanical tools production. Light production of canned foods, stone processing, textile, carpet and jewellery are also found in the town. However, agricultural and cattle breeding are the main activity of the population in the suburbs of Yeghegnadzor.

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 was home to 500 workers, while the shoe factory had around 200 workers.

The Armenian State University of Economics opened its Yeghegnadzor branch in 2008. Currently, the town is home to a high school, 2 primary schools as well as 3 kindergartens. There are also an art school, sports school, cultural center, geological museum and a library operating in the town.

Demographics

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

Year	1831	1897	1926	1939	1959	1980	2001	2009
Population	332	1307	1583	2567	3567	7053	8178	8200

Historical sites

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

• 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 Monastery 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.

Panorama of Yeghegnadzor

External links

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