Introducing Stepanavan & Around
Stepanavan sits on a plateau above the steep-sided gorge of the Dzoragets River, fabled for its fine summer weather and, less proudly today, as one of the centres of Armenian communism. The area has been a site of settlement for millennia, on fertile fields above the river. The town is quiet, but it’s a nice place for a wander (away from the usual monumental Soviet centre) and the locals are friendly.
Advertisement
An early cell of the Bolsheviks led by local lad Stepan Shahumian operated from hideouts and caves before the revolution. Shahumian died in a lonely corner of the Turkmenistan desert with the other 26 ‘Baku Commissars’ in 1918, later sanctified in countless memorials across the region. (The Baku Commissars were Bolshevik leaders in the Caucasus in the early days of the revolution.) A rather dashing Shahumian poses on a pedestal in the main square, Stepan Shahumian Hraparak.
Last updated: Mar 24, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
RE: Tbılısı to Gyumrı (Armenıa).
by tsahakyan 01 March 2011
Take a minibus from Tbilisi to Stepanavan. You can stay there for a decent price and nice location. Take a minibus to Gyumri in the morning…
-
Semi-obscure monasteries & hiking, & also transport questions...
by Shiffi 11 August 2009
Hi everyone I have the following info gathered mainly from wikitravel but it's really vague about how to get around... I was hoping…
-
Armenia - cycling
by Steve_UK 11 July 2007
1. Didn't cycle so can't comment on the specifics, but I'd guess you might want to take in Yerevan (start / finish?), Sisian, Goris and…
See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Stepanavan & Around
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.
Advertisement
