History

Vanadzor has a very significant place in Armenia’s history with a documented history of more than one thousand years. Copper, bronze and pottery artifacts have been found at Kosi Choter by prominent archeologists dating to the early Bronze period. Located in the Dimats district of Vanadzor, about 2 km from the city center is a Bronze-Age site with relecs from the Middle Ages. This area, called Tagavoranist, is clearly a castle and excavations have begun at this site. Significant findings at this site have proven the area was inhabited beginning in the 3rd century BC.

In the beginning of 20th century the heroic battle of Gharakilisa took place in Vanadzor (known then as Gharakilisa). This battle, together with the battles of Bash-Aparan and Sardarapat marked the establishment and maintenance of the Armenian statehood following the First World War. This battle was of extreme significant as Armenians were under siege on three fronts and if any failed, the Armenian people would have been overrun.

With the incorporation of Armenia into the Soviet Union, Vanadzor (Kirovakan during the Soviet period) became an industrial center focusing on chemical, textile and other manufacturing. Kirovakan was also a significant scientific- technological center with an emphasis on mechanical engineering.

On December 7, 1988 the devastating Spitak Earthquake left Vanadzor, Spitak, Gyumri and the surrounding area with more than 25,000 people dead and more than 100,000 left homeless. This combined with dual blockade by neighboring Azerbaijan and Turkey, the collapse of the Soviet Union and Armenia’s declaration of independence, left Vanadzor’s population weary and its economy devastated.

Today, things have vastly improved for Vanadzor’s population and the city is in the midst of repair and reconstruction. Soon, it is expected that Vanadzor will live it up its historical reputation as the city of Artists.