Goris

Goris
Գորիս
community

Goris landmarks

Panoramic view of Goris
Goris gate • Zangezur Mountains around Goris
Goris skyline • Stone-pyramids of Old Kores
Surp Hripsimé Basilica • Saint Gregory Cathedral
Goris
Coordinates: 39°30′28″N 46°20′19″E / 39.50778°N 46.33861°ECoordinates: 39°30′28″N 46°20′19″E / 39.50778°N 46.33861°E
Country  Armenia
Marz Syunik
Established 1870
Government
 • Mayor Vachagan Adunts
Area
 • Total 8 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation 1,250-1,520 m (−3,740 ft)
Population (2009)
 • Total 23,000
 • Density 2,900/km2 (7,400/sq mi)
Time zone GMT +4
Area code(s) +374(284)
Website official website
Goris at GEOnet Names Server

Goris (Armenian: Գորիս; formerly known as Hin Kores and Gorayk‘) is a town in the southern Syunik Province of Armenia. Located in the valley of river Goris (or Vararak), it is 254 km away from the Armenian capital Yerevan and 67 km from the provincial centre Kapan. Goris is an urban community and the 2nd largest city in Syunik province. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT) reported its population was 23,022 in 2010,[1] down from 23,261 at the 2001 census.[2]

History

General view

There are different explanations of the name. It is supposed that the name comes from the Indo-European prelanguage words "gor"(rock), "es" (to be), i.e. Goris "Kores" means a rocky place. There was a dwelling in the ancient times in the same area of the town. The humankind settled here since the Stone Age. Goris was first mentioned in the history by the Urartian period. King Rusa I (8th century B.C.) left a cuneiform, where he mentioned that among the 23 countries conquered by him, "Goristsa" country was one of them. The scientists suppose that it is the same Goris.

During the Middle Ages, the town-settlement was situated in the eastern part of the present Goris, on the left bank of Goris river. It was called old Goirs and coincided with one of the villages of Goru and Goraik mentioned by Stepanos Orbelyan (13th century).

The current spelling of the name was first mentioned in 1624, in a handwriting by Barsegh Yerets. In 17-18th centuries princes Melik Husenyans ruled Goris. In the beginning of the 19th century, on 13 October 1813 according to the "Gyulistan agreement", Goris fell under the domination of Emperial Russia. In 1870, the modern-day town of Goris was founded to become the centre of Zangezour province within the Russian Empire. In 1876, the new town of Goris was founded near the Old Goris with the initiative of the head of "Starastky province" and recommendation of Prince Manuchar-Bek Melik Husenyan and the plan was designed by a German architect.[3] At the end of the 19th century the economical and cultural life of the town was rather improved.

After the fall of the Democratic Republic of Armenia in 1920, the 2nd Pan-Zangezurian congress held in Tatev on 26 April 1921, announced the independence of the self-governing regions of Daralakyaz (Vayots Dzor), Zangezur, and Mountainous Artsakh, under the name of the Republic of Mountainous Armenia (Lernahaystani Hanrapetutyun), with Goris as a de facto capital city.[4]

The stone-pyramids of Old Kores located to the east of the modern town, is one of the most attractive sites in Goris. The old town is home to the 4th-century basilica of Surp Hripsimé.[5] The basilica has been renovated during the 16th century. However it was closed during the Soviet period until its major renovation in 2010. Finally, it was reopened for the public in October 2013.[6]

Geography and economy

The Goris-Kapan road

Goris is situated in the valley of Goris River, also known as Vararak River. The valley is surrounded with the Zangezur mountains. The town has an average elevation of 1385 metres above sea level. The surrounding mountains are famous for their medieval cave-dwellings carved out of the soft rock in the southern and eastern parts of the town.

Located in an alpine climate zone, the weather of Goris is characterized with mild snowy winters and hot summers. The average temperature in January is –1.3 °C and +19 °C in July. The annual precipitation level is 700 mm.

Being home to many food-processing plants, the economy of Goris is mainly based on light industry. The home-made fruit vodkas are particularly good and famous in Goris.

However, the town is one of the main providers of electrical power in Armenia through the Vorotan hydropower plant.

The Goris Airport is currently under renovation by the government and is envisaged to operate starting from 2016. The airport will allow tourists to visit the Syunik region and Zangezur Mountains as well as the Tatev monastery and other summer resorts around the town.

Culture and education

The artificial caves of the nearby village of Khndzoresk

Goris is an important educational centre in Syunik. Nowadays, there are 7 secondary schools, 2 intermediate colleges, 7 kindergartens, 2 sports, 2 musical and 1 art schools. The Goris state University is operating in the town since 1967. Branches of State Engineering University of Armenia and Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography are operating as well in Goris.

The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator in Goris is the seat of the diocese of Syunik of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Zangezour football club had represented the town in professional competitions between 1982 and 1997 when they were forced to quit due to financial difficulties. They used to play their home games at the Goris City Stadium.

Notable people

Twin towns

Panorama of Goris

References

  1. ↑ "Marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan City in Figures, 2010" (PDF). National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT).
  2. ↑ Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
  3. ↑ Syunik.am - Goris
  4. ↑ Armtown.com - ԼԵՌՆԱՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ 85-ԱՄՅԱԿԸ ՆՇԵՑԻՆ ՄԻԱՅՆ ՍՅՈՒՆԻՔԻ ՄԱՐԶԿԵՆՏՐՈՆՈՒՄ
  5. ↑ Surp Hripsime of Old Kores
  6. ↑ The reopening of Surp Hripsimé Basilica of Goris

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Goris.