Armavir, Armenia

Armavir (Armenian: Արմավիր [ɑɾmɑˈviɾ]), is a town and urban municipal community located in the west of Armenia serving as the administrative centre of Armavir Province. It was founded in 1931 by the government of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 29,319, down from 46,900 as reported in the 1989 census. As of the 2022 census, the population of the town is 27,470. Currently, the town has a population of 38,495 as per the 2023 official estimate. The town was known as Sardarapat before 1935, and Hoktemberyan from 1935 to 1995. Currently, Armavir is the seat of the Diocese of Armavir of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Name Armenian and foreign historians and archaeologists have given the name of the city and the site of Armavir as: Aramayir, Aramuria, Argishti, Argishtikhiana, Argishtikhinilini, Argishtihinili, Armayir, Armenia, Armav(i) i-ara, Old Armavir, Armauria, Armoria, Blur, «Abandoned capital» — Blur, Plur - Blur, BLUR, burial ground, settlement (in the form of Russian "Plur"). Numerous cuneiform inscriptions have been found in the Armavir region and near the Blur hill. Capital City of Armavir «Ancient Armenian settlement» (Movses Khorenatsi, Sebeos, Ghevond Alishan, Mikayel Chamchyan, Mesrop Smbatyants, Aleksandr Yeritsyan, Sergey Glinka, Babken Arakelyan, Gevorg Tiratsyan), «Pre-Urartian Armavir», «The capital Armavir of the Haykids dynasty as presented in the historiography of Khorenatsi», citing[9] the arguments of Movses Khorenatsi's «History of Armenia» regarding the founding of Armavir by Aramayis, grandson of Hayk, on the eastern hill of Armavir, and the construction of the main temple. The name «Urartian fortress-city of Argishtikhinili». «The capital Armavir of the Ervanduni (Orontid) dynasty», Archaeologists Karo Ghafadaryan, A. Martirosyan[13], and Inessa Karapetyan gave the site both the names Armavir and Argishtikhinili. Archaeologists B. Arakelyan and G. Tiratsyan, consistently following the historiography of Armenian chroniclers, gave the city and the site the name «Capital Armavir». The buildings and structures discovered on the territory of the Armavir site received various, sometimes contradictory, names. Archaeologist G. Tiratsyan characterized the structure on the summit of the eastern hill as «remains of an ancient temple», «ancient Armenian temple». B. Arakelyan named the structures as «sanctuary of Armavir», «monumental structure of the capital Armavir, probably a temple». Inessa Karapetyan calls the ruins on the summit of the Armavir hill the Urartian temple of Susi. Armenologist Rafael Ishkhanyan named the archive-depository of cuneiforms on the summit of the hill as the «libraries of Armavir». Geography Location of the city of Armavir Archaeologists have disagreements regarding the location of the city of Armavir. A large group of archaeologists considers the location of the city to be the eastern and western hills of Armavir and the areas between them. According to the conviction of Babken Arakelyan, the head of the archaeological expedition in Armavir in 1962–1969, the main residential part of the capital was located on the eastern hill of Armavir and in the residential areas around the hill, while the «monumental structure», the citadel, the sanctuary-temple economy, structures of cultural, economic, and defensive significance, as well as triple-row walls, were located on the eastern hill of Armavir. The Citadel and the Temple were surrounded by an outer triple-row wall. According to archaeologists, the capital Armavir was spread over an area of more than 10,000 square meters, and by the "geography" of the distribution of stone inscriptions, it encompassed the administrative territories of 12–14 villages of the modern Armavir region of the Armavir province. Thus, the eastern gate of the city was Mokhrabur-Kyultapa, located on the border of the villages of Armavir and Arevik; to the north — the "Dik Kamurj" (Old Bridge) on the Alashkert-Armavir-Haykavan highway; to the west — the hill range of the villages of Amasia, Nor Armavir, and Nor Amasia; to the south — the river Yeraskh (Arax). The hill and the city were protected by a network of canals and ditches, and in the intervals between them were located the agricultural estates of the capital Armavir, barracks, stables, forges, and other craft-stable complexes — "quarters of artisans". Location of the Sos (Plane Tree) Forest The city of Armavir and the Sos (Plane Tree) Forest spread around it were located in the Aragatsotn district of the Ararat Valley, on the right and left banks of the river Yeraskh (Arax) or the river Armavir, on the eastern and western hills of Armavir and the adjacent territories, in the vicinity of the modern villages of Armavir province: Armavir, Haykavan, Jrashen, Nor Artagers, Bambakashat, Nor Artagers, Nor Armavir, Nalbandyan, Aygeshat, Janfida, and Amasia. Sos (Plane Tree) Forest of Armavir An artificial forest within the administrative territory of the capital Armavir. A forest belt irrigated by artificial canals that were part of the defensive system of the capital Armavir. According to Khorenatsi, the Sos Forest was founded by the patriarch Armenak — Aramanyak. It covered more than 1000 hectares of the Armavir region. The forest mainly consisted of plane trees (sos). The plane tree is known to the Armenian people also as "chinar". Even now, in the villages of the Armavir region, when cultivating the land, tree trunks emerge from under the soil. Several species of plane tree-chinar are known, which can still be seen in the areas of the villages of the Armavir province. The Greek historian-commander Claudius Ptolemy[24], having visited Armavir, admired the beauty of the forest:«Aramanyak founded a forest of plane trees in this area — the Sos (Plane Tree) Forest. The historian reports that in Armenia it was customary to make predictions based on the rustling of plane tree leaves. There was a female plane tree and a male plane tree — the female ones rustle more; the priest-soothsayers made calculations — the outcome of war and victory, the number of sacrifices. The forest was a kind of meteorological station where the periodicity of droughts, hailstorms, floods, and other phenomena was determined. The Sos Forest was a sacred place; dedicated to this forest was Anushavan Sos-anver, the grandson of Ara the Beautiful, who was a high priest, soothsayer, and oracle. The plane tree was a symbol of pagan Armenia, equal to the Masis (Ararat) mountains. The Armenians went into battle with banners depicting the Sos Forest. On a fresco found in Artske, Aram the Conqueror holds a plane tree leaf between his fingers. The forest existed for 2300 years, from the 25th century BC to the 2nd century AD. The historians do not report how this forest was destroyed, from which no trace has remained». Mokhrabur-Kyultapa Located on the border of the villages of Armavir and Arevik in the Armavir province. Locals call it Kyultapa. It is located east of the hill of the capital Armavir, at a distance of 1.5–2 kilometers. It is highly probable that the settlement served as the eastern entrance — the gate — to the capital Armavir, as elderly locals remember that until 1953 there were remains of some kind of wall here. Systematic excavations at this site were carried out by archaeologist Emma Khanzadyan. The archaeologist considered the settlement to be the result of the accumulation of construction layers from the 3rd millennium BC:«...on the hill, round dwellings built of mudbrick were discovered, on the clay floors of which (in pits) were found burnt grains, sheaves of wheat and barley ears, millstones, grindstones, and pestles. A significant group also consists of bones of large and small cattle. In the Arevik settlement, crafts were developed (metallurgy, leatherworking, pottery, weaving, stoneworking, and bone carving). Weaving tools were found (bone spindle whorls, needles, loom weights, etc.). Particularly noteworthy are clay hearths and their various supports (round, horseshoe-shaped, horned, and tripods), large clay vessels, deep basins and bowls, spoons, some of which have a matte surface, while the majority have a black, silver-shiny surface, decorated mainly with combinations of birds, spirals, pits, and protrusions». History Ancient Period (6th millennium BC — 8th century BC) The Armavir region has been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC. Evidence includes two rock carvings dating back to the 15th–12th millennia BC (the "Star Sky Maps") and the "Sacred Stone" found on the eastern hill of Armavir, as well as traces of Cyclopean structures in the caves of the hill. Archaeologists have found various obsidian instruments, bronze objects, and pottery from this period. Armavir has been inhabited since the 6th–5th millennia BC . A settlement from the 3rd millennium BC has also been discovered near Armavir, between the villages of Armavir and Arevik (Mokhrabur-Kyultapa). Here, round dwellings made of mud-brick, grain grinders, millstones, and bones of large and small cattle were found, indicating developed cattle breeding and agriculture. Urartian Period: Argishtikhinili (8th—5th centuries BC) King Argishti I of Urartu (c. 786–764 BC) founded a fortress on the site of the future city in 776 BC and named it Argishtikhinili . The fortress-city was located on the eastern outskirts of Armavir and served as an administrative-economic and cult center. The country of Aza(ni), on whose territory Argishtikhinili was founded, is mentioned in the annals of Argishti I. The inscriptions state: "By the greatness of the god Khaldi... in Argishtikhinili, the country of Aza(ni) is an enemy land". King Sarduri II (8th century BC) left about nine undamaged and two damaged inscriptions in the Armavir region concerning the repair of the city, the construction of palaces and sanctuaries, as well as the triple wall of the city. Under pressure from Assyria, Sarduri intended to move the capital of the country from Van (Tushpa) to Armavir. His coronation took place in Armavir, and the Gates of Khaldi were built there, but his successors abandoned this intention. Achaemenid and Hellenistic Periods (5th—2nd centuries BC) After the fall of Urartu (6th century BC), the region became part of the Satrapy of Armenia within the Achaemenid Empire . Clay tablets from the Achaemenid period written in the Elamite language, containing episodes from the Epic of Gilgamesh, have been found in the Armavir area . The Elamite inscription from Armavir (found in 1988 during excavations of the citadel) is a unique archaeological phenomenon — it is the only Elamite inscription found on the Armenian Highlands. It consists of three clay tablets (one intact and two damaged) and tells of the Great Flood and the Epic of Gilgamesh. Armavir — Capital of the Orontid Dynasty (331—189 BC) In 331 BC, when Armenia under the Orontid dynasty asserted its independence from the Achaemenid Empire, Armavir was chosen as the capital of Armenia . According to Movses Khorenatsi, Aramais built a house for himself on a hill on the river bank and named it Armavir after himself, while naming the river after his grandson Yerast — Yeraskh (Arax) . According to the chronology of Mikael Chamchyan, Aramais founded Armavir in the 20th century of the 2nd millennium BC — in 1980 BC. Numerous inscriptions from the 3rd century BC in Ancient Greek have been found in the Armavir area, including poetry by Hesiod, lines from Euripides, a list of Macedonian months, and names of Orontid kings [36]. Armavir was the capital of Armenia from 331 to 189 BC. The following kings ruled here: Orontes II (331 – c. 323 BC), Artontes (c. 323–305 BC), Artavazd I (c. 305–247 BC), Vagharshak I (247–225 BC), Arshat I (225–212 BC), Orontes III (212–201 BC). Armavir under the Artashesid and Arsacid Dynasties (189 BC — 428 AD) In 189–185 BC, Armavir was the capital of Artashes I of the Artashesid dynasty. From 185 BC until the donation of Armavir by Tiridates III to the Kamsarakan nakharar house, Armavir was transformed into the royal city of the heirs to the Armenian throne . According to the 5th-century Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi, Armavir was the first capital of the Kingdom of Armenia (although, from a geographical standpoint, the first capital of Armenia was Van). Movses' history preserves a tradition that when King Valarsace the Parthian settled in Armavir (c. 149 BC), he built a temple there and asked prince Smbat of the Bagratuni dynasty to give up his religion and worship idols, but Smbat refused to comply. Before the adoption of Christianity, according to Movses Khorenatsi, there were three pagan temples in Armavir — the Temple of the Moon, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of Ancestral Memory. From the 6th millennium BC until the adoption of Christianity, the capital Armavir served as the spiritual-religious center of Armenia. In Hellenistic Armavir, there were two main types of libraries-chanceries: royal (where royal correspondence and official decrees were kept) and temple (where religious and historical literature was concentrated). Movses also relates that when King Tigranes II (whom he places on the throne from 90 to 36 BC), in order to take revenge on Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, sent an expedition to Palestine, he carried a great number of Jews into captivity and settled them in Armavir and in Vardges. Movses goes on to state that later Jews were transferred from Armavir to Yervandashat, and under King Artashes I, were again transferred into the new capital Artashat. When King Shapur II of Persia invaded Armenia (360–370), he led away from Artashat 30,000 Armenian and 9,000 Jewish families, the latter brought by King Tigranes from Judea, and then completely destroyed the city. Medieval Armavir (7th—18th centuries) Until the Arab conquest in 645 AD, Armavir was part of the Ayrarat Kingdom (331–190 BC), then Greater Armenia (190 BC – 428 AD), occasionally being occupied by the Romans and Parthians. After the fall of Greater Armenia in 428 AD, it became part of the Sasanian Empire. In the 8th century, Armavir was a center of nakharar houses; in the 9th–13th centuries, it was the city of Armavir. The city and the Armavir plain were part of Vanand, the Bagratid kingdom, and in the 13th century, part of the Zakarid principality. From the 13th century, the villages of Aliso and Blur existed on the site of the city. In 1242, the troops of Lenk-Timur destroyed ancient Armavir. The Alis(u) and Blur quarters remained viable and had the status of temporary settlements in the 13th–17th centuries . Destruction of Ancient Armavir During the rule of the Seljuk Turks in Eastern Armenia (13th–18th centuries), treasure hunters first turned the buildings of the ancient capital into ruins . Then the Persian commander of the region, Hasan Khan, decided to build a new fortress — Sardarapat. The ruins of Armavir served as a ready quarry for the fortress. By order of the sardar, starting in 1719, the still-standing city walls on the hills of Armavir, the remains of the citadel, and the temples were demolished. Fortress construction gained momentum in 1789–1819. The stones of the capital were used to build and construct the houses of residents of the villages of Armavir, Aygevan, Aygeshat, Nor Artagers, Sardarapat, as well as chapels and churches. The Armenian historical monuments have largely been destroyed or neglected. Modern Town Modern Period: Sardarapat — Hoktemberyan — Armavir After the unification of the Alis(u) and Blur quarters in 1613, the settlement of Armavir (Kurdukuli) emerged. The modern settlement was founded as the rural settlement of Sardarapat (in Armenian: Sardarapat); its name combines the Persian title "Sardar" ("victor, commander-in-chief") and "abad" (Iranian: "city"). From 1867, Armavir was a district center. By the decision of the Soviet government, the settlement of Armavir was founded as Sardarapat on 26 July 1931, only 8 km north of the ancient city of Armavir, to become the regional centre of the Hoktemberyan raion created earlier in 1930 (known as Ghurdughuli raion until 1935) . In 1935, the name of the settlement was changed from Sardarapat to Hoktemberyan in honor of the 1917 October Revolution. On 1 October 1938, Hoktemberyan received the status of an urban-type settlement, and in 1947 — the status of a town. On 24 March 1967, Hoktemberyan became a city of republican subordination. Following the independence of Armenia in 1991, Hoktemberyan was renamed Armavir on 7 November 1995, to become the provincial centre of the newly formed Armavir Province, as per the 1995 administrative reforms of Armenia. Soviet Period At the beginning, Armavir was home to Armenian families who migrated from Javakheti, Shirak and Zangezur. During the 1940s, many Yazidis and Kurds from the nearby villages also settled in Hoktemberyan. With the rapid development of the settlement as an industrial hub, Hoktemberyan was given the status of a town in 1947. The population of the town was further increased in the 1950s and 1960s upon the arrival of repatriated Armenian families from Iran, Syria and Lebanon. In 1966, the Armavir branch of the Yerevan Brandy Company was opened. Independent Armenia After Armenia gained independence (1991), the town was renamed Armavir. Today, Armavir is the administrative centre of Armavir Province. The town hosts the provincial administration, court, prosecutor's office, as well as cultural and educational institutions. In 2016, the town celebrated the 85th anniversary of its foundation, with the presence of delegates from the Russian cities of Armavir and Shakhty. Geography Modern-day Armavir occupies an area of 8.51 km² within the fertile Ararat plain, at a road distance of 47 km west of the capital Yerevan. The territory around Armavir is among the most important regions of Ancient Armenia. The town is built 6 km northeast of the ancient city of Argishtikhinili and 8 km north of historic Armavir [79]. The region corresponds with the Aragatsotn canton of the ancient Armenian Kingdom. The town is surrounded by many large villages including Sardarapat, Norapat, Mrgashat, Maysisyan and Noravan. Armavir has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with cold winters and hot summers. Climate Armavir has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk), with cold winters and hot summers. Demographics Upon its foundation in 1931, the town was originally populated by Armenians from Javakheti, Shirak and Zangezur. Later, Yazidis, Kurds and Assyrians from the nearby villages have also settled in Armavir. Many Armenians from Iran, Syria and Lebanon were resettled in Armavir during the 1950s and 1960s, as part of the Armenian repatriation process. The town's population reached its peak with around 47,000 during the final years of the Soviet Union. Following the independence of Armenia and the resulting economic crisis, it has drastically declined, showing 32,034 in the 2001 census, 29,319 in the 2011 census, and around 28,900 as per the 2016 official estimate. As of the 2023 official estimate, the town has a population of 38,495. Culture The territory of modern-day Armavir is surrounded with many archaeological sites that are considered major centers of ancient Armenian civilization, including the nearby settlements of Metsamor, ancient Armavir, and ancient Argishtikhinili. Currently, Armavir is served by a cultural center, commonly known as the Red Club. It is also home to a music school, a school of arts, five public libraries, and a theatrical group. There is a private zoological/botanical garden at the northeastern vicinity of the town. Saint Gregory of Narek Cathedral The main church of modern Armavir was built in the 2000s and consecrated on 30 May 2014. It is named after Saint Gregory of Narek (951–1003) — the great Armenian poet, philosopher and theologian, author of the "Book of Lamentations". Since its consecration, the church has become the seat of the Diocese of Armavir of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Charles Aznavour Park The central park of the town is named after the great French chansonnier of Armenian origin, Charles Aznavour (1924–2018). A monument to Aznavour has been installed in the park. Archaeological Museum of Armavir The museum displays artifacts found during excavations of ancient Armavir: ceramics, tools, jewelry, coins, and cuneiform tablets. Ancient Armavir (archaeological site) The ruins of the ancient capital are located 8 km southwest of the modern town. The first exploratory excavations were carried out here in 1880, but systematic excavations of Armavir began only in 1962. Archaeological study of Armavir has revealed the multi-layered nature of the city's history [108]. The oldest layer dates to the Urartian period (8th–7th centuries BC), followed by ancient Armenian Hellenistic (3rd–2nd centuries BC) and medieval (10th–13th centuries) layers . The Sos Forest (Sacred Forest) An artificial forest on the administrative territory of the capital Armavir. According to Khorenatsi, the Sos (Plane) Forest was founded by Patriarch Armenak-Aramanyak. The forest covered more than 1000 hectares and was considered sacred. The forest mainly grew plane trees (sos in Armenian). The plane tree was a symbol of pagan Armenia, equal to Mounts Ararat and Aragats. Armenians went to the battlefield with banners depicting the Sos Forest. The Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy (90–168 AD), who visited Armavir, admired the beauty of the forest. The forest existed for 2,300 years — from the 25th century BC to the 2nd century AD. Historians do not report how this forest was destroyed, of which no trace remains. Theater of Armavir The theater of Armavir used the southern slope of the Armavir hill as an arena for theatrical performances — the area of the large Tsakhkavank cave, reaching the Arax River. At the head of the theater, right on the top of the hill, were located the temple of Anahit and the statue of the Mother of Gods of Armenia. In the 69s BC, Prince Artavazd (the future King of Armenia Artavazd II) organized a theater and theatrical performances in Armavir, as well as Navasard games and pan-Armenian horse races. Economy and Transportation Since its foundation, Armavir has gradually developed as an important centre for industries, as well as services. The industry of the town is mainly based on food-processing and building materials production. The cotton mill of Armavir opened in 1928 was the first industrial plant of the town. The Hoktemberyan Cannery, which opened in 1943, was among the largest food-processing plants in the Soviet Union [14]. The Armavir branch of the Yerevan Brandy Company has operated since 1966. The glass factory of Armavir is a major glass container producer for the entire republic. There is a water treatment facility in the eastern suburbs of the town. As a provincial centre, Armavir is home to many branches of prominent banks currently operating in Armenia. Armavir air base was built near the town during the early 20th century and became one of the largest jet pilot training centers for the Soviet Air Force. The town of Armavir is founded on the basis of the train station operating since 1927, as a railway junction between Yerevan and Leninakan/Gyumri [20]. The station was renovated in the 2000s. In November 2009, the station was provided with an electric locomotive that connects Armavir with the Aragatsavan station and northwestern Armenia. The town is also connected with Yerevan and central Armenia through the M-5 Motorway. The H-17 regional road connects Armavir with Gyumri and other parts of northern Armenia. Education As of 2015, Armavir has 10 public schools, 12 nurseries, 2 intermediate colleges, 3 sport schools, and a school for children with special needs. Armavir is also home to the Tigran Mets Sports and Military College. The Armavir provincial medical centre is located in the town as well. Sports FC Armavir was the football club who represented the town during the Soviet years. It was founded in 1965 as FC Sevan Hoktemberyan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, FC Armavir participated in the Armenian Leagues mainly throughout the 1990s. The club was dissolved in 2003 due to financial difficulties. The club used to play their home games at the Jubilee Stadium which has a capacity of 10,000 spectators. In 1985, the stadium hosted one group match during the FIFA World Youth Championship hosted by the Soviet Union. Nowadays, it is serving the young teams of the Armavir football school. In February 2017, the Football Federation of Armenia has launched the construction of a football academy in Armavir. With an approximate cost of US$3 million, the construction is being jointly financed by the FFA, UEFA and FIFA. It is expected to be completed by October 2019. Martial arts including judo, muay thai sambo and taekwondo are also popular in the town. The Mayor's cup tournament of judo is annually held in Armavir. The town's sport school was entirely renovated in 2007. Notable people Arame, pop singer Arajik Marutjan, amateur welterweight boxer Twin towns – sister cities Armavir is twinned with: Allauch, France Armavir, Russia Feodosiya, Ukraine Shakhty, Russia Kerman, Iran The following are no longer active as of 2018: Galveston, Texas, United States See also Armavir (ancient city) Armavir (village) Armavir, Russia References External links www.armavir.agro.am Further reading (in French) Tirac'yan, Georg. "Armawir." Translated from Armenian by Aida Tcharkhtchian and edited by Jean-Pierre Mahé. Revue des Études Arméniennes. vol. 27, 1998–2000, pp. 135–300.