Khndzoresk
Encyclopedia
Khndzoresk is a village and rural community (municipality) in the South-East of Armenia, in the province (marz
) of Syunik
. The village is located to the right of Goris - Stepanavan highway, on the steep slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge), from which, according to tradition, it got its name. Crossing the bridge at the entrance of the village, the road continues towards the towns of Lachin
and Stepanakert
. New Khndzoresk (the current inhabited area) was built in the 1950s. The village is located at 1580m above sea level and occupies 6772,8ha. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
(ARMSTAT) reported its population as 2,260 in 2010, up from 1,992 at the 2001 census.
. The fortress of Khndzoresk served as a military base for Mkhitar Sparapet
in 1728-1730. In 1735 the village was visited by Catholicos (Head of Armenian Apostolic Church
) Abraham Kretatsi who gave a thorough description of the community in his chronicles. During the 1980s, an additional village sprouted 7km from Khndzoresk due resizing and political unrest. This village, considerably smaller than Khndzoresk, is called lower Khndzoresk, or Nerkin Khndzoresk
.
. The cave church of St.Tatevos can also be found nearby.
Administrative divisions of Armenia
Armenia is subdivided into eleven administrative divisions. Of these, ten are provinces, known as marzer or in the singular form marz in Armenian....
) of Syunik
Syunik
Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It borders the Vayots Dzor marz to the north, Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave to the west, Karabakh to the east, and Iran to the south. Its capital is Kapan. Other important cities and towns include Goris, Sisian, Meghri, Agarak, and Dastakert...
. The village is located to the right of Goris - Stepanavan highway, on the steep slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge), from which, according to tradition, it got its name. Crossing the bridge at the entrance of the village, the road continues towards the towns of Lachin
Lachin
Lachin is a town in Azerbaijan and the regional center of the Lachin Rayon. Since 1992 the area has been under the control of the de facto independent unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which has renamed the town Berdzor . The town and its surrounding region serve as the strategic Lachin...
and Stepanakert
Stepanakert
Stepanakert is the largest city and capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a de facto independent republic, though is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan...
. New Khndzoresk (the current inhabited area) was built in the 1950s. The village is located at 1580m above sea level and occupies 6772,8ha. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia
National Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia is the national statistical agency of Armenia.The statistical institution started its main activity from January 7, 1922 and was called Statistical Department of Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia...
(ARMSTAT) reported its population as 2,260 in 2010, up from 1,992 at the 2001 census.
Population and Infrastructure
As of 2009, the population of Khndzoresk comprises 2256, of which 1126 women and 1130 men. There are 516 households in total. About 90% of the population is involved in agriculture (animal husbandry and gardening). There is a small milk processing enterprise, employing 8 people. The community has a number of administrative and public institutions, such as community council, secondary school (with 370 pupils), musical school, kindergarten, library, museum, culture club.History
In the end of the 19th century Old Khndzoresk was the biggest village of Eastern Armenia. In the beginning of the 20th century the community had 8300 inhabitants (1800 households). In 1913 there were 27 shops, 3 dye-houses, tanneries, 7 schools. The village is famous for taking part in the liberation movement of David BekDavid Bek
David Bek was an Armenian military commander and one of the most prominent military figures of the Armenian liberation movement of the 18th century against the forces of Safavid Iran and the Ottoman Empire...
. The fortress of Khndzoresk served as a military base for Mkhitar Sparapet
Mkhitar Sparapet
Mkhitar Sparapet was an 18th century Armenian national hero and participant in the struggle for preserving the Armenian heritage in the Zangezur region of Transcaucasia. He was instrumental in David Bek's victories over the forces of Safavid Iran and the Ottoman Empire in Armenia's Zangezur region...
in 1728-1730. In 1735 the village was visited by Catholicos (Head of Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
) Abraham Kretatsi who gave a thorough description of the community in his chronicles. During the 1980s, an additional village sprouted 7km from Khndzoresk due resizing and political unrest. This village, considerably smaller than Khndzoresk, is called lower Khndzoresk, or Nerkin Khndzoresk
Nerkin Khndzoresk
Nerqin Khndzoresk is a village and rural community in the Syunik Province of Armenia. The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia reported its population was 321 in 2010, up from 184 at the 2001 census.- Overview :...
.
Cultural Heritage
Khndzoresk is widely famous for its canyon with picturesque rock formations and ancient cave settlement. The artificial caves, some of which are currently used as stables and warehouses, used to be inhabited till the 1950s. In the bottom of the gorge there is St.Hripsime church, dated back to 17th century. On a spur beyond on the right side of the gorge there is Anapat (hermitage) with the tomb of Mkhitar SparapetMkhitar Sparapet
Mkhitar Sparapet was an 18th century Armenian national hero and participant in the struggle for preserving the Armenian heritage in the Zangezur region of Transcaucasia. He was instrumental in David Bek's victories over the forces of Safavid Iran and the Ottoman Empire in Armenia's Zangezur region...
. The cave church of St.Tatevos can also be found nearby.