Stepanakert
Stepanakert
Geographical Position
Stepanakert is the capital as well as the largest city in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The city has a population of 50,000 Armenians. This popular vacation destination is a wonderful place for tourists. The temperature in Stepanakert typically varies, depending on the season. The weather is characterized with warm winters and cool summers.
General Description
According to medieval Armenian sources, this area was first called Vararakn. In 1847, it was renamed Khankendi. In 1923, the settlement was given its final name of Stepanakert by the Soviet government in the honor of Stepan Shahumyan.
In 1926, municipal authorities adopted a new city layout designed by the prominent Armenian architect, Alexander Tamanian. Two additional designs for expansion were approved later on in the 1930s and 1960s, both of which retained Tamanian's initial plan. Many schools and two "polyclinics" were established, and an Armenian Dramatic Theatre was founded in 1932 and named after Maxim Gorky. Stepanakert served as Nagorno-Karabakh's main economic center. By the mid-1980s, there were nineteen production facilities in the city.
Near Stepanakert in Khojaly there is an airport. In 2009, the construction of a new passenger terminal began. Repair work is also being conducted on the main runway. Air navigation equipment is also being installed in the airport. Karabakh is expected to have a regular flight service with Armenia by the end of 2010.
Stepanakert is centrally located in the republic and makes the perfect base for day trips. You can stay in other cities to cut down the daily drives, but there are only a handful of western style hotels outside of Stepanakert and Shushi. Stepanakert is the best place for day trips to Gandzasar and Shushi. The roads to these sights are in good condition. There is a new north-south highway in Karabakh linking Martakert in the north, and Hadrut in the south, with Stepanakert right in the middle.
The main tourist site in Stepanakert is the monument popularly called "Mamik and Babik" or “We Are Our Mountains”, an old Armenian man and woman hewn from rock. They represent the mountain people of Karabakh. Aside from this there is also a small museum near the main market, where you can discover local specialties like Jingalov Hats, mulberry raisins, mulberry vodka, and other goodies. The main square of town which hosts the Hotel Armenia, Parliament building, and a beloved park, is a great place to see the Stepanakert locals. Stepanakert is also the home of the Artsakh State Museum.
