Stepanakert

Stepanakert is the capital of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). The city is located in a small plain in the eastern part of the mountain chain of Artsakh on the picturesque banks of the River Karkar. Surrounded by forests, the city is a labyrinth of winding streets lined with trees and small parks. In the Middle Ages, the name of this city was Vararakn. Later it was named after an Armenian Bolshevik Stepan Shahumyan. In 1923, Stepanakert became the capital of Artsakh. Here, you may find numerous cafes and restaurants, which is typical of a capital city.

The main tourist resort in Stepanakert is located on the outskirts, on the western side of the road that leads to the north. It is the popular monument "We are our mountains", also known as "Grandma and Grandpa" ("Tatik u Papik" in Armenian). This large monument, created by Sargis Baghdasaryan is widely regarded as a symbol of Artsakh's identity. The monument is made of volcanic tuff and shows an old man and a woman carved out of a rock, representing the mountain people of Artsakh. It was built in 1967. Stepanakert also houses the State Arts Museum, which has a significant collection of ancient artifacts and medieval manuscripts. It has an immediately recognizable presidential building on Renaissance Square. The flagpoles outside have both Armenian and Artsakh flags. There are a number of steps to the building, in front of which there is also a green garden. The National Assembly of Artsakh is also located on this street.

In the centre of Stepanakert, one may reveal a beautiful boulevard known as "Azatamartikneri". This is the main street in the city where you will find the best shops, offices, bars and restaurants. A favourite visit destination in Stepanakert is the local market, where the sellers of the market are very friendly. There are all kinds of goods, from electrical goods to food and drink. Stepanakert also owns a national football stadium. The home team "Lernayin Artsakh FC" plays domestic matches in this stadium.

The city has three main museums where you can get acquainted with the history of the country. The Museum of the Fallen Soldiers is a war museum with monuments and dedications to local soldiers who fought and died in the Nagorno-Karabakh War. The nearest museum is the History Museum, which offers arts and crafts as well as war history. This museum has many relics and utensils from the Nagorno-Karabakh War. The third is the Museum of Missing Soldiers, which tells its visitors how this war has affected the region. Many soldiers аre missing until today. They were killed or escaped and fled to a foreign land. The relatives of the missing soldiers have been trying to find them for years. One of the well-known places to visit is the Saint Jacob Church with its beautiful architecture. The city was under the control of the Soviet Union, and there are some memories of that time. Here are a great obelisk and a memorial dedicated to those who fought and died during the Second World War. Stepanakert is definitely a city for architecture lovers. The city's main university is located on the city's main street, Azatamartikneri Avenue, and has 3,000 students. There is an impressive front entrance with symmetrical steps and a boulevard leading to it. For foreigners, there is a shop on the street Azatamartikneri, where you can buy flags, postcard, magnets, stamps and also local beer. Stepanakert is worth visiting for its beautiful architecture. There are many mountain landscapes in the area, which give the city a pleasant atmosphere and make the city even more attractive.