Lichk

For the town in Syunik province, see Lichk, Syunik.
Lichk
Լիճք

The village of Lichk.
Lichk
Լիճք
Coordinates: 40°09′33″N 45°14′05″E / 40.15917°N 45.23472°ECoordinates: 40°09′33″N 45°14′05″E / 40.15917°N 45.23472°E
Country Armenia
Marz (Province) Gegharkunik
Founded 1830
Government
 • Mayor Gnel Grigoryan
Area
 • Total 5.1 km2 (2.0 sq mi)
Elevation 1,929 m (6,329 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 5,467
 • Density 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Time zone GMT+4 (UTC+4)
Postal code 1409

Lichk (Armenian: Լիճք, formerly known as Gyol) is a major village located south of Lake Sevan in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. Although the village was founded in 1830, there are ruins of earlier habitation including the remains of a medieval town. There are also the ruins of the early Tsaghkavank (meaning "Flowering Monastery") which sit adjacent to the church of S. Astvatsatsin at the hilltop cemetery. Tsaghkavank overlooks the town of Lichk, and the remaining lower walls are cylindrical wall with a very small entry. The reasoning behind this is that one would technically be forced to bow in respect upon entering the church. The church of S. Astvatsatsin is a small basilica with some broken khachkars and gravestones embedded into its walls. It is currently in disrepair as the roof has collapsed. Surrounding the two churches is a 13th-century cemetery with numerous interesting khachkars. Nearby is a cyclopean fort. [1]

Education

There are currently two public education facilities that serve the village. The Primary School was constructed in 1930 and served as the original school for Lichk. For a number of years, it was the only educational center for the village and those surrounding it. The school still provides education to some of the nearby communities and serves approximately half of the families in Lichk. The regional government has recently proposed closing the Primary School due to its state of disrepair. If this occurs, students will face a lack of education due to the distance of the other public school, and 25 teachers and 10 staff will become unemployed.

The "Secondary School of Lichk After Hovhannes Tumanyan" operates as the public education facility that serves the other half of the village.

Controversy

Residents attempt to repair damage to the village spring.

On August 7, 2013 a spring that had supplied mineral water for the village of Lichk was destroyed without the consent of the townspeople. The artesian well had been drilled approximately 40 years ago by Soviet engineers, and had been used by residents of the village since then. Many people had used the naturally carbonated spring daily as a main source of drinking water or in hopes of curing certain ailments. A contract was secured through the local government by a businessman to construct a bottling plant at the site to produce soft drinks. Construction began in early August and the dome of the spring, created by minerals in the water, was destroyed. Residents of the village protested the move made by the local government and took back control of their spring. Restoration efforts were underway so that residents could once again use the source of water again. As of 2014, the artesian well had been capped.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Kiesling, Brady; Kojian, Raffi (2005). Rediscovering Armenia: Guide (2nd ed.). Yerevan: Matit Graphic Design Studio. p. 79. ISBN 99941-0-121-8.