General Overview

The region is placed on the South of Armenia. Sisian is about 300 km. from Yerevan (4-5 hours by car), and is on the road connecting Armenia with Iran. Although road connecting Yerevan with Sisian passes through 2350 m. mountain the Region last contact with outward world during winter months (November-February).
The region consists of 30 km. wide narrow territory between Azerbaijan and its enclave Nakhijevan.
According to the statistics the Region is one of the poorest regions of Armenia.
As an administrative territory after 1996 Sisian become sub region of Syunik Region. This Region is adequate to historic Zangezur Marz, which is famous with its struggle against Persian and Turkish invaders in 15-17 century as well as between 1930-1933 years, when Armenia was against violent collectivization during Soviet times.
The Region has underlined agricultural structure. Both in Sisian and Dastakert in 50-60 years were built factories where knitted wears, medical instruments, reinforced concrete for building, condenser were produced. There are about 36000 people in the Region. About half of the population lives in Sisian town, and the other past live in the 35 rural communities. The 5% of population are the refugees from Azerbaijan and Mountainous Karabagh. Now the refugees live in the villages where Azerbaijani’s lived before.
Sisian is placed on the Armenian mountain region on 1200-2600 m. above the sea and it is divided into 3 vertical zones. On the low of the Region people cultivate vegetables and fruits, on the medium – wheat and on the highest zone – cattle breeding is imperative.

History

From the ancient Sisian was a part of Tsghuk Region of Syunik State. Syunik was the third with its territory in historical Armenia. By the historian memories of Syuniac house Tsghuk was the first from 12 regions of Syunik. It is equal to the territory of nowadays Sisian. Tsghuk Region also included Tatev and Hardjis villages of Goris Region. Tsghuk was spiritual and administrative center of Syunik State.
In 1813 year the territory was given to Russia. After establishment of Soviet Union Sisian was included in Zangezur Region. In 1930 it was formed Sisian Region with its Sisian center.

Economy

The transition period in Sisian Region broad to the decreasing of industrial production and handcrafting, and the cultural production become the main sector of economy.
New the level of unemployment is high in Sisian. There are only few opportunities of employment, mainly in local authorities schools sector is the other main source income Sisian has big potation for development of productions based on resources which are existing in Sisian territory (stone, water etc.).

Sight seeing

St. Gregory Illuminator Church

The church is located in Sisian. It is constructed on a height imperiously prevailing on the settlement. The church is considered one of the prominent obelisks of the Armenian medieval architecture. With its central cupolas, it is one of the single structures that are maintained almost undistorted. The temple was called St. Grigor Lusavorich (Illuminator), as well as St. Hovhannes. It has been constructed in the 6th century in the place of the pagan temple. Although on the church the name of Syunik prince Kohazat is engraved, the latter couldn’t have constructed it. Governing in the 7th century he perhaps has conducted some construction works in the monastery, next to cupolas, where he has left his name. In front of the monastery, in a beautiful square the princes have constructed houses and mansions. Religious leaders, princes from the prominent stems have been buried here. In medieval times Syunik Monastery has been also a center of manuscript culture.

Sisian History Museum

History State Museum in Sisian was founded in 1990 and is named by a well-known Armenian historian Nikoghayos Adonts who has Sisian origin. Since 1995 the museum has its permanent exhibition, which presents the history of Syunik world, particularly the history of Sisian. Separate halls are devoted to ethnography, archaeology of Sisian. Museum has a rich Stone collection and supports the archaeological expeditions working periodically in Sisian.

Karahunj, ancient observatory

The observatory is located 3 km north from Sisian. Due to its certain disposition it is a complex of religious monuments, i.e. Menhir. Stone columns are from solid rocks. There are holes made on some of them. Next to megalithic structures there is the “city of the dead” and a habitation dated B. C. III-I millennium, i.e. necropolis. Tracks of numerous structures and tomb are maintained there. The monument reflects the outlook and astrological conceptions. It is an applicable structure from religious and meantime from astrological point of view. The holes on the stones initially have been made from technical, further from symbolic-religious and perhaps also from astrological considerations. Zorats stones have been constructed within B. C. III-I millenniums and are closely related to the western European megalithic structures.

Ukhtasar, ancient rock pictures

It is located above pastures of Sarnakunk village in Sisian region, on the surface of Ukhtasar and Takjur rocks, which are 3000-3300m above sea level. The deepness of each rock picture is 1-6mm. The rock pictures are irreplaceable history sources. Old people living in our highlands left rich materials to be studied about their life, worships, traditions and occupations. The first group of rock pictures belong to the B.C. 5-4 millenniums and the second group belongs to the B.C. 3-2 millenniums.

Vorotanavank

It is an Armenian medieval architectural monument, monastic complex. It was one of the well-known religious and cultural centers of Syunik in 10-15th centuries. It is located 4km east from Sisian City, on the left height of Vorotan canyon. The more ancient structure was the St. Stepanos vaulted church constructed by Shahandukht Queen of Syunik in year 1000. In 1007 Shahandukht’s son Sevada constructed St. Karapet church in the south-western part of the church St. Stepanos. In the area of the Monastery, in the western part of these two churches the vaulted cupola and other structures have been maintained. The Vorotan Monastery is surrounded by gates; it had had workshops, storehouses, theological seminary, and caravanserai. The great Armenian philosopher, Founder of Tatev University Hovhannes Vorotnetsi (1315-1398) conducted its activities in Vorotan Monastery. Vorotan Monastery several times was destroyed by Seljuk-Turks, Mongol-Tatars, Lenktemur invasions and 1931 earthquake. Currently the renovation works of Vorotan Monastery are in the completion phase.

David Bek castle

It is one of the prominent castles of not only Tsghuk town but also of Syunik region. It is located on the rock of Vorotan village. From the three sides of the castle there is the pervasive Vorotan canyon. It has gates only from one section. Eghishe mentions that Vorotnaberd is among the castles and towns that have been set free from Persian tyrants by Vardanants in 450. Stepanos Orbelyan considered Vorotnaberd as one of the significant castles of Syunik, which belonged to Senekerim A King of Syunik in 1075-1094. Vorotnaberd was set free from apostate Melik Baghr by Davit Bek. Very often it is also called Davit Bek Castle. In the top of the Castle the Bridge of Melik-Tangi is located.

Shamb Daisy

In Sisian region, in a narrow canyon of Vorotan river Shambi reservoir with “Zangesur Daisy” was established, from where water reaches to turbines of Tatev HES through a tunnel with 18 km length. “Daisy” is a unique hydro technical structure in a form of the same flower, which is aimed for gravity removal of waters of Shambi artificial lake.

Ltseni

This Chapel-church was constructed in 1347, some kilometers south-east from Ltsen village, on the right edge of the forest of the road taking to Tatev. It is apparent that it has been an old sanctuary related to the worship of tree. Further for the same purpose that chapel was constructed around the two embraced fur trees that were acknowledged saint. One wall is directly constructed on the root seen on the ground. The chapel-church was called Anapat, since it was separated, where further the pilgrim Christians used to come to pray.

Tanahat Monastery

It is an Armenian architectural monument of 5-6th centuries. It was a prominent monastic complex of Syunik. It is located in the north from Arevis village, in the mountainous plain. Ghevond Alishan assumed that in place of Tanahat during the pagan period there was the heathen temple of Anahit goddess. The chief church is called St. Stepanos. It is a basilica structure and has a stage. The church had a hall room. Portico capitals are furnished with flowers. Next to the monastery there is a cemetery with cross stones and grave stones. On one of the mentioned the Armenian letters are hardly noticed. In 1975 in Tanahat ruins Urartu cuneiforms have been found out, which are on both sides of basalt stone. Tanahat currently is in half ruined state.s