VANADZOR: WHAT TO EXPECT?
It is already the second bus that I miss to Vanadzor for a simple reason. I do not know the subtle art of “throwing myself inside” at the right time it does not matter when you come, the important thing is the right position and the right angle. Luck smiled on me only 2 hours late, I paid 1000 drams and went.
The first stop was the “Kirovakan” hotel, where I was going to spend the night. The hotel is located in the highest part of the city, from where the whole of Vanadzor will appear in front of you with its beauty. One night’s accommodation was 7500 AMD.
The hotel has been accepting guests since 1980. It is one of the most popular hotels in Soviet Armenia, there are still interesting stories and memories inside the walls, which I will touch upon in a separate article. Years ago, in the third city of Armenia, due to work, I met Samvel Khalatyan, a playwright from Vanadzor, a satirist, an honored cultural figure of the Republic of Armenia. Whoever communicated with him will definitely agree that he is one of the “spices” of Vanadzor, which is unique and not found anywhere else. “Vanadzor is famous for its 7 wonders in the solar system, but it has 8th, 9th, 10th and many other wonders,” he confessed. Years later I decided to get acquainted with those wonders. And what I will present is only a part of Vanadzor.
WHAT TO DO
Tairov summer house, is located at 31 Zakaryan street, Vanadzor city. It was built in 1895, it was the summer house of a rich Armenian winemaker, during the Soviet years it was the building of “Hayastan” sanatorium in Kirovakan. Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Tairov was the founder of “Vestnik vinodeliya” magazine. The scientific works were devoted to horticultural statistics, nutrition of grape vines in sandy soils, a number of issues related to wine.
“VANADZOR IS FAMOUS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM FOR ITS 7 WONDERS, BUT IT HAS 8TH, 9TH, 10TH AND MANY MORE WONDERS”
- The door of the first floor of one of the high floors of the “Jungle” district will suggest that you are not mistaken. A special world where as soon as you enter you forget about the feeling of time. A world full of stories, sculptures, interesting sentences, thoughts, with which the walls are decorated. By the way, everyone can be a part of art or craft here. Sculptor Bogdan always has half-finished works that you can complete yourself.
- In the three-story building of Tumanyan Square at 52 Tigran Mets Avenue in Vanadzor, about 1800 museum objects are preserved: paintings, sculptures, decorative-applied art, graphics are displayed. The Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts is named after Vanadzor-based artist Carlos Abovyan, whose works are also on display here and differ from other works because the artist depicts crosses instead of eyes in portraits. One of the unique specimens of the Vanadzor Museum of Fine Arts is Benik Petrosyan’s “Children’s Sorrow” sculpture. After the excursions you can notice candies near the sculpture. The children leave candies next to the sculpture, they think it will make the girl happy.
Value
How to get to Vanadzor: Yerevan, from Kilikia bus station, paying 1000 AMD. You are there in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The average cost of a hotel is 7500 AMD per night.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
Yes, you can find a small Greek corner in Vanadzor. Garegin Makinyan from Vanadzor and Inga Rusidu brought new tastes to their birthplace. They skillfully make “sweets”, “chips” and “gyros” under the name of “Aster”. The couple smiles and says sincerely․ “The people of Vanadzor found it very difficult to come to terms with the idea that from now on there should be other sweets next to the gata. We introduced the Greek cuisine to the locals through receptions. There were names that only “ran away” from hearing.” Today there is almost no house without Greek sweets on the table, but the modern sweets are the same as gata.
20 years ago Karine was buying “Narine” lactic acid product for a child from Yerevan. He often wondered why there was no production in Vanadzor, so she decided to correct the gap. In the past, containers filled with lactic acid were bottles of yogurt, collected, washed, and sterilized. There was only one pharmacy ready to sell. – Over the years, the serving egg, labels, glasses changed. “The development process was very interesting,” Karine recalls. In addition to “Narine”, Karine makes yoghurts. In stores you can find 5 types of yogurt with strawberry, apple, cherry, peach, raspberry flavors. By the way, she also makes buttermilk cheese.
The only pub in Vanadzor is located at 20 Tigran Mets Avenue, which again differs in its type. If you are in Vanadzor, take time to visit a pub. People are united here, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday interesting events are organized, the most favorite of which are the movie screenings.
The only pub in Vanadzor is located at 20 Tigran Mets Avenue, which again differs in its type. If you are in Vanadzor, take time to visit a pub. People are united here, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday interesting events are organized, the most favorite of which are the movie screenings.
Do not be surprised when you meet young bikers in Vanadzor. It is true that when I met them I was in a hurry. The destination was Batumi, they were going to the expected vacation. The boys unanimously say ․ “Speed is our life, if you ride a motorcycle sensibly, nothing will happen. They remembered that in the past, when the locals saw them on their motorcycles, they looked the other way, today that problem does not exist. They are loved and accepted, and from time to time they organize motorcades. By the way, I even managed to ride a motorcycle, I was running through the streets of Vanadzor. We are still exploring Vanadzor, during which, I presented everything with your own eyes.