Armavir is the capital city of the Armavir Marz of Armenia. The city of Armavir cannot be described as one with many attractive sights and destinations for tourists. But if you visit Etchmiadzin, don’t miss the chance to see the city as it is another large city of the Armavir Marz and the religious center of Armenia.
Armavir, more frequently called Hoktemberyan, is the capital of the Armavir Marz in Armenia.
The origins of the city’s name date back to one of the Ancient Armenian capital cities, Armavir’s name. The ruins of the ancient Armavir can be found nearby the modern-day city.
On the territory of the nowadays Armavir city, the historical Aragatsotn canton of Airarat province was located.
It is interesting to know that there is also such a city, called Armavir, in Russia. In the 19th century, it was established by the Armenian community of that region.
Basic Information about Armavir City of Armenia
The modern Armavir city of Armenia was established in 1931 by the Soviet Armenian government. Initially, until 1935, the city of Armavir was known as Sardarapat.
From 1935 up to 1992 the city was officially renamed Hoktemberyan (in honor of the October revolution).
The city of Hoktemberyan was initially established as a railway station, connecting Yerevan and Gyumri. But, gradually, it grew and developed as one of the industrial and cultural centers of the country.
The city was officially given its ancient name, Armavir, only in 1992, after the USSR collapse.
Armavir City Location and Area
Armavir city is situated in the western part of the Republic of Armenia, Armavir Marz. It is known for its location in the territory of splendid Ararat valley.
The total area of the city of Armavir is around 8.5 sq. km (or approximately 3.3 sq. mi).
Armavir City Population
At the moment of its establishment, the city of Armavir (then Hoktemberyan) became home to hundreds and thousands of Armenian families, migrated to Armenia’s Armavir Marz from Javakhk (Armenian-populated region in Georgia), Zangezur and Shirak.
Starting from the 1940s, there are also numerous Yazidi, Kurd and Assyrian families, settled in this city from the nearby villages of the Armavir Marz.
According to the official census as of 2011, the population of Armavir city is around 29300 people.
Climate of Armavir, Armenia
Armavir city’s location in the valley of Ararat Plain mostly conditions its climate. It can be characterized as a city with dry climate. Summers are exceptionally hot, and winters are quite cold here.
The average low temperature for Armavir city is -11o C, which can be in January. The average high temperature is around 34o C, mostly seen in July and August, which are the hottest and driest months in the city.
The precipitation level in average is relatively high during May, June and November (1-4 mm). So, if you don’t like rainy weather, you should avoid coming to Armavir especially in November, since it is the wettest month in Armavir during the year.
How to Get to Armavir City?
Getting to Armavir is quite easy because there are vans (also known as “marshrutka”), regularly departing from Yerevan’s Kilikia bus station during the day.
There is also the option of taking a taxi to Armavir city (100 AMD or 0.2 USD per 1 km). Their total cost will be around 3000-5000 AMD, depending on your location where you take the taxi from.
Some tourist companies and agencies offer day tours from Yerevan to Armavir city. Those tours usually include guide services and lunch as well.
If you want to get around Armavir, you must know that the city is not very big and it is easy to go for a walk on foot!
When your visit to Armavir city is over and you want to get out of the town, there are taxis and the same minibuses available. They also regularly depart from Armavir’s bus station (known as “Avtokayan”) to Yerevan.
Things to See in Armavir, Armenia
Armavir, as mentioned above, is not the richest place in Armenia, but still there are some exciting things to see. If you decide to see this large city of the Armavir Marz, you should know some notable places to see and to be!
Thing to See in Armavir, Armenia #1: Sardarapat Memorial and Museum
Sardarapat is the main site near the city of Armavir. It is the memorial, dedicated to the victory over Turkey (after the battles in Sardarapat). The monument is located around 11 km from Armavir city and around 20 km from Yerevan.
There is also a large museum, one of the most significant ethnographic museums in Armenia, adjacent and attached to the monument of Sardarapat.
The huge ethnographic museum will offer you an opportunity to gain some insight on Armenians’ historical past. The interesting exhibition provides the chance of looking back at the ancient Armenians’ lifestyle, as well as modern one.
The bell tower of the Sardarapat memorial overlooks the Turkish border. It indicates the place where a small army of hungry and poorly armed Armenian soldiers and refugees won Turks in a decisive battle near Sardarapat (May of 1918). This battle saved Armenia from extinction from the world map.
Thing to See in Armavir, Armenia #2: Metsamor Archeological Site
The Armavir Marz of Armenia is full of archeological sites, indeed. One of them is Metsamor archeological site, located around 35 km from Yerevan.
There is also a museum, attached to the site, displaying some precious ancient art crafts and items.
This is a quite a seldom visited place, but if you are a lover of history and archeological sites, this is a must-see place for you!
Thing to See in Armavir, Armenia #3: Armavir Archeological Site
Just like in case of Metsamor archeological site, this one is also a must-see destination for locals and tourists.
Armavir archeological site is located around 4 km from Sardarapat Memorial. You can see the excavations and ruins of ancient Armenian capital city, Armavir, displayed here.
Thing to See in Armavir, Armenia #4: Yervandashat Archeological Site
Yervandashat or Ervandashat archeological site is situated near the border with Turkey, around 35 km from Armavir city.
This is the place of excavations of an ancient Armenian city, Yervandashat. Yervandashat archeological site, like the previously described two archeological sites, has a significant historical importance. It offers its visitors the opportunity to get introduced to the life and working styles of ancient people.
Thing to See in Armavir, Armenia #5: Surb Grigor Narekatsi Church
The church of Surb Grigor Narekatsi or Saint Gregory of Narek is the only church of Armavir city of Armenia. Earlier, in the place of this church, there was a cinema.
Later, in 2009, there was the church of Saint Sargis built in its place.
Only in 2011, the construction of Surb Grigor Narekatsi began. The church was opened in May of 2014. The Saint Gregory of Narek belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church (Diocese of Armavir).
