Tsaghkadzor

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Tsaghkadzor
From top, left to right: Panoramic winter view of Tsaghkadzor Kecharis Monastery • Tsaghkadzor landscape Tsaghkadzor ski resort • Tsaghkadzor Sports Complex Mariott Tsaghkadzor • Tsaghkadzor ski lift Panoramic summer view of Tsaghkadzor
From top, left to right:
Panoramic winter view of Tsaghkadzor
Kecharis Monastery • Tsaghkadzor landscape
Tsaghkadzor ski resort • Tsaghkadzor Sports Complex
Mariott Tsaghkadzor • Tsaghkadzor ski lift
Panoramic summer view of Tsaghkadzor
CountryArmenia
MarzKotayk
First mentioned3rd century
Government
 • MayorArtur Harutyunyan
Area
 • Total4 km2 (2 sq mi)
Elevation
1,841 m (6,040 ft)
Population
 (2011 census)
 • Total1,256
 • Density310/km2 (810/sq mi)
WebsiteOfficial website
Sources: Population[1]

Tsaghkadzor (Armenian: Ծաղկաձոր, also Romanized as Tsakhkadzor) is a spa town and a popular health resort in Armenia, located north of the capital Yerevan in the Kotayk Province. According to the 2011 census, the town has a population of 1,256, down from 3,350 reported in the 1989 census.

Etymology

Tsaghkadzor literally means valley of flowers in Armenian. The name of Tsaghkadzor is associated with the name of the nearby Tsaghkunyats Mountains, located to the west of the town.

Originally, it was known as Tsaghkunyats Dzor (Ծաղկունյաց ձոր) by its foundation during the 3rd century. In the 11th century, the town was known as Kecharuyk (Կեչառույք) or Kecharis (Armenian: Կեչառիս) derived from the Kecharis Principality under the Armenian Pahlavuni family. Later, during the 17th century, the towns was called Darachichag by the Turkic invaders, keeping the name until 1947, when it was renamed Tsaghkadzor.

History

Traditional houses in Tsaghkadzor

Historically, the territory of modern-day Tsaghkadzor is associated with the Varazhnunik canton of Ayrarat province of Ancient Armenia.

Tsaghkadzor was first mentioned as Tsaghkunyats Dzor during the 3rd century when it was formed as as small settltment and quickly became the most favourite hunting ground for the Arsacid kings of Armenia. During the the 4th and 5th centuries, Tsaghkunyats Dzor along the surrounding lands and forests was placed under the governance of the Varazhnuni noble family by the Arsacid kings. Later between the 5th and 7th centuries, the region was granted to the Kamsarakan and Amatuni families, under the Persian rule. Between the 7th and 9th centuries, Armenia suffered from the Arab Islamic occupation.

In the 9th century, Tsaghkunyats Dzor became part of the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia established in 885. Starting from the 10th century, the houses of Kamsarakan and Pahlavuni -both related with the Arsacid dynasty by origins- were merged and governed the cantons of Aragatsotn, Kotayk and Varazhnunik. Prince Grigor Magistros of the Pahlavuni family became the head of the Kecharis Principality and built the Kecharis Monastery in 1033, in honor of Gregory the Illuminator. In 1051, he also built the Surp Nshan Church (Holy Sign Church). During this period, the town was known as Kecharuyk.

In mid-11th century, the region suffered from the Seljuk invasion led by Tughril and later by his successor Alp Arslan. However, with the establishment of the Zakarid Principality of Armenia in 1201 under the Georgian protectorate, Kecharuyk witnessed a significant rise in the economic and cultural life under the rule of the Khaghbakyan and later by the Proshyan noble families, during the 13th and the 14th centuries. After the Mongols captured Ani in 1236, Armenia turned into a Mongol protectorate as part of the Ilkhanate, and the Zakarids became vassals to the Mongols. After the fall of the Ilkhanate in mid-14th century, the Zakarid princes ruled over Lori, Shirak, Kotayk and Ararat plain until 1360 when they fell to the invading Turkic tribes.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Kecharuyk became part of the Erivan Beglarbegi within the Safavid Persia. The town of Kecharuyk became to be known as Darachichak under the Persian rule. During the first half of the 18th century, Darachichak became part of the Erivan Khanate under the rule of the Afsharid dynasty and later under the Qajar dynasty of Persia. It remained under the Persian rule until 1827-1828, when Eastern Armenia was ceded by the Russian Empire as a result of the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28 and the signing of the Treaty of Turkmenchay. With the fall of the Russian Empire and after the decisive Armenian victories over the Turks in the battles of Sardarabad, Abaran, and Gharakilisa, the entire region of Kotayk became part of the independent Armenia in May 1918.

The hawk sculpture at the central Tsaghkunyats Square

After 2 years of brief independence, Armenia became part of the Soviet Union in December 1920. In 1947 the settlement was renamed Tsaghkadzor. During the Soviet era, Tsaghkadzor has been developed as a major spa town and health resort, intending to attract a large number of tourists. Many monumental buildings and dachas previously built by the wealthy merchants of Yerevan and Tiflis, were either nationalized in favour of the state or sold in auctions. In 1958, it was given the status of an urban-type settlement. In 1959, it became part of the Hrazdan raion. Later in 1984, Tsaghkadzor was given the status of a town.

After the independence of Armenia, Tsaghkadzor entered a new era of redevelopment starting from 2000. With the foundation of many luxurious hotels and sanatoriums, the town became a major winter resort attracting a large number of ski and snowboard enthusiasts from all over the world, to become one of the most developed touristic destinations in Armenia.

On 11 August 2008, around 90 American Peace Corps volunteers, trainees and staff members were relocated[2] to Tsaghkadzor from the Republic of Georgia as a precaution during the military conflict with Russia.

Geography

Mount Teghenis, vertical drop 850m/2,790 ft

Tsaghkadzor is located 50 kilometers north of the capital Yerevan and 3 kilometers east of the provincial centre Hrazdan. Surrounded with alpine meadows, the town is situated on the southeastern slope of Mount Teghenis, at a height of 1841 meters above sea level.[3] Tsaghkadzor is surrounded by the Tsaghkunyats mountain range from the west, and the town of Hrazdan from the east.

Summers in Tsaghkadzor are characterized with mild climate, while winters are cold and snowy.

Demographics

Downtown Tsaghkadzor with the Kecharis Monastery in the background

The residents of Alaverdi are ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Kotayk, headed by Archbishop Arakel Karamyan. The Kecharis Monastery in Tsaghkadzor is the seat of the diocese.

Here is the population timeline of Tsaghkadzor since 1873:

Year 1873 1897 1926 1939 1959 1976 1989 1991 2001 2011
Population 169 345 618 654 1,029 2,000 3,350 2,900 1,618 1,256

Culture

Tsaghkadzor has a cultural palace and a public library.

Heritage

  • Kecharis Monastery, is one of the most important religious complexes of Eastern Armenia and one of the well-preserved medieval architectural samples of the Armenian Highland. It was founded at the beginning of the 11th century, consisted of 4 separate adjacent churches. The main church of the complex is the Saint Gregory Church built in 1033. The church of Surp Nshan built in 1051, is located to the south of Saint Gregory Church. The Katoghike Church built at the beginning of the 13th century, stands to the south of Surp Nshan Church. The fourth church of the complex is the Church of Surp Harutyun of 1220.
  • House-museum of Brothers Orbeli, is dedicated to the Armenian scientists Ruben, Levon and Joseph Orbeli who were native of Tsaghkadzor. Professor Ruben Orbeli was the founder of marine archaeology and one of the major specialists of ocean engineering. Physiologist Levon Orbeli was a prominent member of the USSR and Armenian SSR academies of science. Scientist Joseph Orbeli was an orientalist specialized in medieval history of South Caucasus. He administered the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg between 1934 and 1951.[4]

Transportation

Tsaghkadzor is accessible through the H-5 Road from the southeast, as well as the H-28 Road from the northwest. The H-29 Road connects the town with Gegharkunik and northeastern Armenia, via the town of Hrazdan.

Economy and tourism

The ski resort as seen from the ski lift during summer
The highest lift at 2819 metres on Mount Teghenis

The infrastructure of tourism is highly developed in Tsaghkadzor, with many luxurious hotels, resorts and amusement facilities. The Tsaghkadzor ski resort is located just above the town, on a height of 1750 meters above sea level. During the recent years the ski resort was fully modernized. All ropeway lifts are manufactured and operated by Leitner Group. The current structure replaced existing soviet era lifts, mostly following their path. There were initially three consecutive lifts stretching from the foot of the mountain (1969m above sea level) up till the mountain peak (2819m), with the first and second lifts ending at 2234m and 2465m above sea level respectively. In 2006 a fourth lift was added, stretching from the end of the first stage towards an opposite hilltop, thus adding two trails, both leading down to the foot of the slopes.[5] Apart from the lifts the resort offers ski and snowboard rental as well as skiing instructors. The skiing season in Tsaghkadzor normally starts in mid December and stretches well into March with the top slopes often fit for skiing in April.

Many luxury hotels and resorts serve the town during the summer and winter seasons including the Marriott Tsaghkadzor Hotel, Multi Rest House Hotel, Golden Palace Hotel and Resort, Best Western Alva Hotel and Spa, Baden-Baden Hotel, World of Gold Hotel, Kecharis Hotel, Alpina Holiday Home, Writers Creativity House Complex, Splendor Resort, Nairi Hotel, Tsaghkaovit Hotel, Aliq Recreation Zone and the Tsaghkadzor Sports Complex Hotel.

The "Senator Royale" casino of Tsaghkadzor is among the largest entertainment centers in Armenia.

Sport

The view from the second ski route at the Tsaghkadzor ski resort

The Olympic Sports Complex of Tsaghkadzor was opened in 1967, specifically to serve for the preparation of the Soviet athletes for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Entirely renovated in 2007, it is considered one of the most developed training facilities in the South Caucasus region. The complex provides training areas for 35 types of sports including a regular-sized association football pitch with athletics track, indoor sports hall, indoor swimming pool, diving pool, skiing and snowboarding tracks, fitness halls, modern hotel and sanatorium with many other facilities.

The ski resort of the town operating since 1986, is the centre of winter sports in Armenia.

Sister cities

See also

References

  1. ^ Kotayk
  2. ^ http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1364
  3. ^ Avout Tsaghkadzor
  4. ^ "Tsaghkadzor official web: Orbeli brothers' house-museum".
  5. ^ WinterArmenia Ski Info
  6. ^ "Sister cities". Tsaghkadzor official website. Archived from the original on May 11, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-27. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tsaghkadzor.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tsaghkadzor.
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