The history of the Spitak begins from 4-1 millennia BC. Proof of this is the tools and household items of the Neolithic period found during excavations in the Spitak area.
Spitak was called “Hamamlu” or “Hamamli” until 1949, which probably originated from the Persian word “hamam” (bath). The name Spitak is associated with the limestone mines around the city.
Spitak was a developed industrial city until the devastating 1988 earthquake. It had 14 industrial factories, which were closed and partially destroyed during the earthquake.
Here you can visit St. Hovhannes chapel and Trchkan Waterfall, which is the highest waterfall in Armenia.
LORI map
LORI map
Akhtala | Ախթալա | |
church | ekexeci | եկեղեցի |
Ախթալա եկեղեցի | եկեղեցի Ախթալա | Akhtala Monastery |
haghpat | Հաղպատ | |
Sanahin | Սանահին | |
Bardzrakash | Բարձրաքաշ Սուրբ Գրիգորի վանք | Բարձրաքաշ |
Dsegh | Dsex | Դսեղ |
Debet | Դեբեդ | |
Lermontov | Լերմոնտովո | |
Vanadzor | Վանաձոր | |
Lori Berd | Լոռի բերդ | |
Odzun | Օձուն | |
Սուրբ Նիկողայոս եկեղեցի | Surb nikolay ekexeci | Church of Nicholas |
Stepanavan | Ստեփանավան | |
Stepanavan dendropark | Ստեփանավանի Դենդրոպարկ | |
Urasar | Ջրաշուշանների լիճ | Ուրասար |
Tashir | Տաշիր | |
Achqasar | Աչքասար | |
Spitak | Սպիտակ |
Akhtala Church
In the town of Akhtala amidst pristine nature, stands the Akhtala monastery. Its wonderfully preserved frescos with their Byzantine-like color schemes and purely Armenian themes dazzle tourists.
Akhtala
Akhtala (in the middle ages known as Agarak, since 12-13th centuries Pghindzavank, granted with the status of the town since 1995) is located in the Lori Region, along Shamlugh river, in the valley of Debed river and on the slopes of Lalvar mountain.
Sanahin Monastery
Sanahin and Haghpat monastic complexes in Lori region are both included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. A visit there will take you back in history to the 10th century, a period when they once thrived and used to be the most important centers of education and culture.
Haghpat Monastery
Sanahin and Haghpat monastic complexes in Lori region are both included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. A visit there will take you back in history to the 10th century, a period when they once thrived and used to be the most important centers of education and culture.
Alaverdi City
Stepanavan Dendropark ,is in arboretum located near the Gyulagarak village, Lori Province, Armenia. Located around 85 km north of the capital Yerevan, the park was founded in 1931 by Polish engineer-forester Edmund Leonowicz. The arboretum is 35 ha in total of which 17.5 ha consist of natural forest and 15 ha of ornamental trees.
Odzun Church
The temple of Odzun stands out among the numerous monasteries in Lori as having the most extensive history. The current building, a domed basilica, dates back to the 5th century.
Dzoraget Canyon
The river Dzoraget in Lori region is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It originates from the slopes of Javakhk mountain range. At the feet of the city of Stepanavan the river irrupts into 100-120m deep gorges. It is there, on the upper stream of the gorge that Lore fortress stands. This is the perfect place for hiking and relishing the moments amidst the tranquil of Lori’s diverse nature.
Tsover Lake
Nestled right in the middle of magnificent nature, the lake and the area around it provide a haven for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors with an abundance of enthusiasm and a passion for horse riding and mountain biking are going to love the experience as well.
Dsegh Village
No matter it’s your first adventurous discovery trip or not, no matter you are local in Armenia or just visited to explore it, your time will not be wasted if you visit Dsegh. Here you will enjoy your rest and live unforgettable emotions in rich Armenian nature, you will get acquitted with rich historical-cultural heritage etcetera.
Debet Village
What can inspire learning more than a totally green rural environment? Debed is here, which has hosted one of the most important educational centers of Lori region, COAF since 2018. It is worth once seeing the harmony achieved in Debed between nature and architecture instead of reading lengthy descriptions.
Fioletovo Village
Have you ever wondered about how life was in the Tsarist Russia? Then you should visit the village of Fioletovo and see it. The village is inhabited by Molokans, who were deported during the rule of Tsarist Russia and settled here, originally called Nikitinskoye. For 2 centuries the community has kept its identity and traditions, even its architectural features.
Lermontovo Village
Two unique villages to visit in Armenia and in the Lori region are Lermontovo and Fioletovo, two Molokan villages that were settled in the 1800s by Spiritual Christians coming from Russia.
In the villages, you’ll find different architecture and a culture that is slightly different than Armenian.
Vanadzor City
Vanadzor, a modern city, which meanwhile cherishes the memories of its Soviet past. After touring the city, it is worth having a picnic in the quiet of the Botanical Garden, another Soviet heritage, and then going up to the Artek camp, where children from all the Soviet countries would spend their pioneer vacations.
Dendropark of Stepanavan
Over 500 species of trees from different parts of the world and the fresh air make this a must-visit destination. Among the outstanding specimens of the park are 5 Californian sequoias, which will become huge in a few hundred years.
St. Nikoghayos Church
This is a Russian Orthodox church in the village of Amrakits, Lori region. It was built in 1848 (according to other sources in 1879) for the Russian Orthodox village of Nikolaka (now Amrakits) founded by the Ukrainian Cossacks. It owes its current look to the reconstruction of 1910-1914.
Lori Fortress
Lori Fortress is within a walking distance from Dendropark. The fortress was built by Davit Anhoghin, who made Lori the capital of the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom. Even though the castle is in ruins, it makes the structure even more spectacular, oozing charm and the history of centuries.
Stepanavan City
Stepananvan currently has around 10,000 residents and is green and a wonderful place if you love the outdoors! It is home to the iconic Stepanavan Dendropark which is a must-visit when there!
Water Lily Lake (Urasar)
The lake is the cradle of one of the most beautiful and rarest flowers in the Armenian highlands – water lilies. Admire? Yes, you can. Touch? No, you can’t. They are registered in Armenia’s Red Data Book. This, however, is not the only lake with water lilies in Lori region. A similar one is Lake Liman, found in Tashir community, Saratovka.
Achkasar Mountain
Achkasar is the highest peak in the region of Lori with a height of 3196m. When in Lori, climbing a mountain holds as much mystery and allure as going down to Lake Achkasar and chilling out. The average walking distance to the lake is 21km.
Trchkan Waterfall
Trchkan waterfall is a standing evidence of environmental activists’ struggle and victory. They succeeded in suspending a project to build a hydroelectric power plant in here years ago. It stands out among the waterfalls in Armenia with its height of 23.5 meters and an average water consumption of about 1.5 tons per second.
Spitak City
The town was completely destroyed during the earthquake and was rebuilt in a slightly different location just after. Today, it is home to just around 11,000 residents and is situated along the Pambak River.
Bardzrakash St. Gregory Monastery
The monastery nestles at the edge of a deep canyon, a spectacular and awe-inspiring site itself. The oldest inscriptions at the site date back to the 8th century. In the complex, you can see the family tomb of one of the most famous ruling families of Armenia, the Mamikonyans, two churches, an oil mill, and remains of khachkars.
Download the map we developed. There you will find all you need as a tourist: sights, museums, food courts, post offices, banks, ATMs, terminals, public toilets, free wi-fi and other places. The offline map has a navigation feature. The map is available regardless of Internet availability.