Gyumri City

Territory:                                      36km²
Population:                                  150’000
Distance from capital/Yerevan:    126 km
Height of above sea level:           1550 m 
The main branches of economy:  industry, agriculture 

Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and the capital of the Shirak Province. It has always been famous with its unique cultural and social coloring which has influenced city’s architectural specificities as well.

Location
The city is situated 126 km from Yerevan (capital of the Republic of Armenia), in the northwestern part of Armenia, in the Shirak Valley, on the left bank of the Akhuryan river, surrounded with the Pambak Mountains from the east and Aragats volcanic range from the south. The climate is very dry.

History
Gyumri and the surrounding area have been populated since the ancient times.  Settlements that have recently been discovered that date back to the beginning of the 3rd millennium B.C.E (the meat factory, Botanical garden, the Alexandrapol fortress, Black Fort, Vardbagh). The oldest mention of a state in the area of Gyumri was in the 8th century B.C. in an Urartian inscription and was called “Kumayri”. In 1837 the city was renamed Alexandropol after of Tsar Nicholas I's wife, Princess Alexandra Fyodorovna.In the Sovietn period the city was known as Leninakan in honor of Vladimir Lenin. After independence, the original name Kumayri was used until 1992, when Gyumri was chosen as the name of the city.

Economy
Gyumri had more than 500 craftsmen and was once recognized as a prominent center of trade and crafts. In the Soviet period it was a major transportation hub and big industrial center, especially mechanical engineering and metal processing was well developed.
Today the number of the factories is reduced. The earthquake had a disastrous impact on the city, as many buildings are still not recovered. 

Tourist Attraction
On the main Square of Gyumi you will find 2 churches.

Saint All Savior Church – The church was built in 1873. The construction of this church was inspired by the gothic cathedral of Ani. During the Soviet period it used to serve as a philharmonic hall. In 1988 the church was ruined during the earthquake. Presently it is in renovation.

St. Seven Wounds Church –Built in 1874-1886, the church was initially named Holy Mother Church but it’s more known as the Church of 7 Wounds. The name refers to the Holy Mother’s icon with seven wounds found in the martyrium. 
Almost all the churches were closed during the Soviet Union period but this church continued to operate. The church has 5 altars which served for people of various declarations of faith.