Vanadzor is a famous resort town in northern Armenia which is known for many spa resorts and hotels built there. The picturesque city has amazingly clean and pure air, mineral spring waters and mild climate and warmly welcomes everyone to enjoy the nature and the city.
Vanadzor city is the capital of the Lori Marz of Armenia. It is the third largest city in the country which has an attractively designed city center, as well as countryside.
Most of Vanadzor Armenia was built during the Soviet period. Previously, the city was famous for its chemical plant, one of the most significant symbols of the town for decades.
Currently, Vanadzor has a lot of attractions, as well as many comfortable and modern resort centers and hotels to offer. If you are planning to travel to Armenia and organize your holidays here, Vanadzor is a must-visit resort for you!
Vanadzor, Armenia| Basic Information
Vanadzor city was founded as Gharakilisa in 1828 which, during the Soviet era, was renamed Kirovakan. Only in 1992, after the declaration of Armenia’s independence, the city received its present name, Vanadzor.
As mentioned earlier, it’s the third largest city of Armenia, coming after Yerevan and Gyumri.
Presently, Vanadzor is also the seat of the Diocese of Gugark of the Apostolic Church of Armenia.
Vanadzor City Location & Area
Vanadzor is located in the Lori Marz, the northwestern part of the Republic of Armenia, about 130 km (or 80 miles) from Yerevan.
It is situated around 1350 meters above sea level, in Pambak River’s valley. Vanadzor Armenia is surrounded with Bazum and Pambak mountains.
The total area of Vanadzor city is 25.1 sq. kilometers or 9.7 sq. miles.
Population of Vanadzor, Armenia
Nowadays, Vanadzor city’s population is about 75 000. It has decreased, compared to the number of the 2011 census, around 86 000 people.
Besides Armenians, who represent the majority of the city’s population, there are also such national minorities’ communities, living in Vanadzor, as Russian, Ukrainian and Greek.
Climate Conditions of Vanadzor
The climate of Vanadzor city can be described as humid continental. Vanadzor summers are cool, and winters are relatively mild here.
The average winter temperature in Vanadzor Armenia is about -4.2 °C. The average temperature in summer can reach up to 20 °C.
The annual precipitation amount in Vanadzor is about 650 millimeters.
How to Get to Vanadzor?
In order to get to Vanadzor, it is important to know that Vanadzor city is connected with other major cities of the Republic of Armenia through a railway and a motorway.
There are inexpensive minibuses (marshrutkas), departing from Yerevan (from Kino Rossia, Metro Station “Zoravar Andranik”) that will take you to your destination in 2-3 hours.
Taxis are also a good means for getting to Vanadzor. They are a bit more expensive (100 AMD or 0.3 USD for 1 km) but, of course, they are faster and more comfortable as well.
Vanadzor City Most Popular Hotels
Hotels in Vanadzor #1: Vanadzor Spa & Hotel Complex
Vanadzor Spa and Hotel Complex has been one of the most significant Armenian resort centers since its foundation (1930).
This place provides only natural treatment by Vanadzor mineral spring waters (“Lori”) and mud therapy (“Fioletovo”).
This spa and hotel complex will offer you both standard and deluxe types of accommodation with all the conditions (hot water supply, Wi-Fi, heating modern system, restaurant, library, fitness center, playing halls and many more services), necessary for making your stay here a comfortable and memorable one!
Hotels in Vanadzor #2: Green House Hotel
This is a new hotel, located on 8 Banak Street in Vanadzor, just a five minute walk from the city center.
It is surrounded with a green park with many and amazing flowers. That’s why it is called Green House Hotel.
Green House Hotel is one of Vanadzor city’s first rate hotels which stands out with its unique design and modern, stylish furniture. It will surely make you feel at home during your stay here.
Hotels in Vanadzor #3: Argishti Hotel
Argishti Hotel of Vanadzor is located in the city center, on 1 Batumi Street.
This hotel represents a three-floor building that will grab your attention with its various elements of the Armenian national style and colors.
The rooms in Argishti Hotel have all the necessary components (bathrooms, color TVs, international phone communication and other facilities) for your unforgettable rest and effective treatment process in Vanadzor city!
Vanadzor State University
Vanadzor City is also known as the educational center of the Lori Marz of Armenia. The largest university of Lori, Vanadzor State University, is located here.
It was opened in 1969 and was named after one of the greatest Armenian poets, Hovhannes Tumanyan.
The current rector of the Vanadzor State University is Dr. Professor Gurgen Khachatryan. Nowadays, around 2400 students are attending this university of Vanadzor city.
Faculties of Vanadzor State University
Presently, Vanadzor State University has 5 faculties:
- Faculty of Philology (with sections of Armenian Language, Literature, Russian Language and Foreign Languages)
- Faculty of History and Geography (includes sections of History, Philosophy and Political Science, and Theory of Economics)
- Faculty of Pedagogy (with sections of Pedagogy, Psychology and Sociology, and Art)
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (consisting of sections of Biology, Physiology and Medical Science, Chemistry, and PE Theory and Methodology)
- Faculty of Physics and Mathematics (with sections of Physics, Mathematics and Methodology, and IT and Economical Methods and Modeling)
Offered Degrees
If you are interested in studying at Vanadzor State University of Armenia, it is important to know that the university provides degrees in Philology, History and Geography, Pedagogy, Biology and Chemistry, as well as in Physics and Mathematics.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone, who wants to study at Vanadzor State University, should know the university annually organizes certain preparatory courses for entrants. Their duration is about 8 months and the cost is 10000 AMD per month (about 20 USD).
One can apply for both Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree at Vanadzor State Univeristy. Also, there are the High School and the College, affiliated to Vanadzor State University that prepare the future students of the university.
To get more detailed about Vanadzor State University, you can check the university website: www.vsu.am.
