Goris
Founded։ 1870
Area։ 50.39 km²
Altitude: 1250 to 1520 m
Population: 20591
Goris is located in Syunik region, about 70 km of the administrative center Kapan. The city is situated on the bank of the Vararakn River (tributary of the Vorotan River). The climate is favorable mountainous: soft snowy winter, warm summer. Average air temperature in January is – 1.3 C, in July – +19 C; precipitation: 700 mm.
Goris was founded in 1870 as the center of Zangezur Province. It got status of a city in 1885 by the Russian Empire. Goris was inhabited from the ancient times. People settled in Goris in Stone Age. As a result of the researches, held in 1980-ies, lots of valuable bronze objects were found: women necklaces, draggers, tools, talismans, utensils. Studies showed that these objects date back to the 3-2 cc BC and have local origin, which speaks about the high culture and way of living of the locals. Old petroghlyphs were found on the slopes of Ishkhanasar. These are mainly illustrations of people and domestic animals, which date back to the 5-2 cc BC.
During Soviet Era Goris was completely transformed and turned into a beautiful, restored city. It was a modern industrial center. Today there are lots of private and public buildings, medical establishments, cultural and educational centers and hotels as well.
The mountains towering to the sky and rivers flowing in the deep gorges, wonderful nature, Armenian monasteries, churches, and alpine meadows lead people to Goris city popular with unique architectural style, Tatev monastery with its thousand-year-old history, Devil’s Bridge on the Vorotan River, Shaki waterfall, Karahunj.
