Metsamor
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- For the village near Echmiadzin, see Metsamor, Echmiadzin.
Metsamor (Armenian: Մեծամոր) is a city in the Armavir region of Armenia. Armenia's Nuclear Power Plant called Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is located in this city. The town of Metsamor was built to house workers from the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant. The power plant was closed in 1989 after an earthquake prompted officials to reconsider the safety of the location. The plant reopened in 1996 after being retrofitted to make it earthquake-resistant. Today, it generates roughly 30 to 35 percent of Armenia's energy needs. The balance of Armenia's energy use is fueled by thermal and hydro-generated power. The town is also notable for the archaeological site at Metsamor castle.
Also on this site is the Metsamor Museum, marking the bronze-age settlement. There is a row of phallus stones just outside the front entrance of the museum. The stones were created as part of a fertility rite. Excavations at the site demonstrate that there had been a vibrant cultural center here from roughly 4,000 to 3,000 BC, and many artifacts are housed in the museum. The settlement persisted through the Middle Ages.
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