Vank, Karabakh

Vank

The village of Vank as seen from Gandzasar Monastery.
Vank
Coordinates: 40°03′28″N 46°32′44″E / 40.05778°N 46.54556°E / 40.05778; 46.54556Coordinates: 40°03′28″N 46°32′44″E / 40.05778°N 46.54556°E / 40.05778; 46.54556
Country

 Nagorno-Karabakh (de facto)

 Azerbaijan (de iure)

Province
Rayon		 Martakert
Kalbajar
Population (2005)
 • Total 1,284
Time zone ART (UTC+4)
 • Summer (DST) ArT (UTC+5)

Vank (Armenian: Վանք, lit. "monastery"; Azerbaijani: Vəngli ), is an Armenian-populated village located in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh (de jure part of Azerbaijan, but de facto administrated by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic). Its population in 2005 stood at 1,284.[1]

The village of Vank is surrounded by several historical monuments dating to the Middle Ages. The most prominent among them is the thirteenth century monastic complex of Gandzasar (built in 1216-38), which overlooks the village and was built by the Armenian ruler of the principality of Khachen, Prince Hasan-Jalal Dawla.[2][3]

In the years following the conclusion of the Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994), the village has seen an increase in investment from the Armenian diaspora. Levon Hairapetyan, an Russian-based Armenian businessman and a native of Vank, has funded the reconstruction of homes, the local school, and sponsored the building of the nearby Eclectic Hotel, which resembles a ship.[4]

In October 2008, Vank was also one of several venues in Nagorno-Karabakh for a mass wedding of 560 Armenian couples.[5]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ "Results of 2005 census of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic", p. 56.
  2. ↑ Hewsen, Robert H. (2001). Armenia: A Historical Atlas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 119–120. ISBN 0-226-33228-4.
  3. ↑ Mkrtchyan, Gayane (August 31, 2007). "A Wonder in Karabakh: A visit to the “mysterious” attraction of Vank". ArmeniaNow.com.
  4. ↑ Noble, John et al. Georgia Armenia & Azerbaijan, 3rd ed. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet, 2008, p. 306.
  5. ↑ Hayrapetyan, Anahit. "Nagorno-Karabakh: Mass Wedding Hopes to Spark Baby Boom in Separatist Territory." Eurasianet. October 23, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2010.

External links

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