In the center of the Lori region located the city of Stepanavan. The city was named after the famous Armenian Communist revolutionary and political figure Stepan Shahumyan, whose legacy still remains an important historical and cultural landscape of the city and surrounding villages.
The Shahumyan House Museum is one of the most interesting museums in the region. The memorial complex surrounds the cultural and entertainment center. This creates a curious visual contrast between the late Soviet architecture of the center and the pre-revolutionary architecture of the house museum.
Stepanavan’s Soviet past created many stories. One of the most striking stories of that period is related to the Caves of Communists. In this picturesque grotto with a waterfall, the first revolutionaries hid from persecution. It is believed that the Cave is the place where the Armenian communist movement originated.
But Stepanavan is not only known for the events in the recent days. The history of the region is much older and multilayered.
One of the most significant monuments to the religious tradition of the district is the church Tormakovank which dates back to the 6-7th century. It was built on the foundation of a pagan abode. Now the temple is in a dilapidated state, but the majestic vaults of the ancient church are still impressive, especially in combination with the background of the green sea of herbs and flowers over which it towers.
St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker Russian Orthodox Church, located in the village of Amrakitz also deserves special attention. This church was built by Ukrainian Cossacks who settled in Armenia in the early 19th century. The church was badly damaged during the 1988 Spitak earthquake, but it remains an important monument of neo-Russian-style in the architecture of Modern.
The biggest attraction of the district Stepanavan is Dendropark. It was founded in 1931 and contains hundreds of different species of trees and plants that have been grown there. But despite the fact that Dendropark is very popular with locals and tourists thanks to the exceptional flora, the surrounding area “drowns in vegetation”. The Dzoraget Canyon, named after the river Dzoraget on which the city was built, fascinates the scenery of pine forests and limestone peaks.
On the left bank of the river is the ancient Armenian fortress of Lori Berd. The citadel of the fortress was built in the 10th century, it occupied an area of 9 hectares and was defended by a powerful defensive wall about 200 meters long. The fortress was the cultural and economic center of the region. Now, the fortress is abandoned, but it is still a treasure trove for archaeologists and a tourist attraction.
Stepanavan is not inferior to neighboring destinations in terms of hotel infrastructure. Accommodation facilities are in large quantities in the city and surrounding area. The atmospheric guest house Tormak is perfect for budget travelers. The guest house organically combines environmental friendliness and an innovative approach.
There are several hotels in the immediate vicinity of Dendropark. Sochut Resort is a classic type hotel with all amenities. The natural surroundings of the park and high standards of service guarantee you an unforgettable experience. GRIG HOUSE ECO Resort is also located near Dendropark. This is a completely different format of accommodation. An unconventional cottage hotel in a forest setting will surprise you with unusual rooms and delicious food.
If you need accommodation in the city, we recommend staying in Lori Adventure. It is camping in the most picturesque and green place in Stepanavan. There is also a particular area on the campsite where you can study rock climbing and enjoy the beautiful views.
You can have dinner in Stepanavan in the restaurant Catchinge Stepanavan. This atmospheric place will impress you with a range of dishes and high-quality service.
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.
