Gyumri Sights: Churches, Fortress, Museums
Gyumri’s sights are its churches, its fortress and a district of more than 1,000 mostly 18th and 19th century buildings in black and orange tuff, the Kumayri historic district. The district is on Armenia’s UNESCO Tentative List, not the World Heritage List. The city was known as Kumayri, Alexandropol (1837 to 1924) and Leninakan (1924 to 1990), and it is Armenia’s second city, not its capital. Most sights lie within about 1.5 km of Vardanants Square; the fortress and Mother Armenia statue are on a ridge about 2.5 km west.
Vardanants Square
The square was laid out in the 1930s and is framed by the neoclassical city hall, fountains and two churches that face each other. At its centre stands a bronze equestrian monument of 2008 to Vardan Mamikonian and the knights of the Battle of Avarayr in 451.
The churches and the 1988 earthquake
The earthquake of 7 December 1988 killed roughly 15,000 to 17,000 people in Gyumri, and the churches and memorials here are places of remembrance. Speak quietly and dress modestly.
Holy Saviour Church (Surb Amenaprkich) was built from 1858 to 1872 by Tadeos Andikyan and consecrated in 1873. The earthquake badly damaged it, a full renovation began in 2002 and it was re-consecrated on 7 December 2024, so it is open again. The memorial to the earthquake victims, by sculptor Frid Soghoyan and architect Razmik Manukian and opened on 7 December 2008, stands in the square behind it.
Yot Verk, the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, was built from 1873 to 1884. Its two small domes fell in 1988 and the fallen domes are displayed in the churchyard as a reminder. Entry to the grounds is free.
Black Fortress (Sev Berd)
Russian engineers built the circular black tuff fortress between 1834 and 1847. The Balasanyan family bought it in 2012, and it now serves as an event venue. The grounds and ramparts are usually open to walk around, and they give wide views over the city and towards Aragats; check ahead for hours. The Russian 102nd military base lies next to it, so do not photograph military sites.
Mother Armenia
The statue on the hill beside the fortress dates from 1975 and was made by Ara Sargsian, Gaspar Gasparyan and Yerem Vartanyan, with architect Rafik Yeghoyan. It holds wheat in its hands, unlike the Yerevan statue, which holds a sword. It is a monument to admire from outside and not a place to climb.
House-museums and galleries
mus.am has the current hours and prices.
- Dzitoghtsyan Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life, 47 Haghtanak Ave, open most days about 11:00 to 17:00. A ticket of about 1,500 to 2,000 AMD also covers the Merkurov House-Museum, which shows work of the sculptor Sergey Merkurov.
- Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery, 242 Abovyan St, Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 to 17:00, 1,000 AMD for foreigners.
- Mher Mkrtchyan Museum, 30 Rustaveli St, Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00, 1,000 AMD for foreigners.
- Hovhannes Shiraz House-Museum, 101 Varpetats St, 1,000 AMD for foreigners.
- Avetik Isahakyan House-Museum, 91 Varpetats St, Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 18:00, 1,500 AMD for foreigners.
Other stops
The Russian chapel of St Michael stands on the Hill of Honor, a northern knoll with a military cemetery; the chapel was built in 1879 and 1880. The Iron Fountain in a northern suburb is a Soviet-era steel monument that survived the 1988 earthquake. It no longer runs and sits in a bare clearing, and it is free to visit at any hour.
Read more: Walking tours in Gyumri links these sights into a 2.5 km circuit.
Booking help
Guided city tours that include the old town can be compared on GetYourGuide .