Gyumri, Industrial center in northwestern Armenia
Gyumri is a large settlement in northwestern Armenia in Shirak Province, spreading across a high plateau near the Turkish border. Streets in the historic center show buildings made of black and orange stone, while newer quarters have developed outside the old core.
The settlement grew from ancient Kumayri and received the name Alexandropol under Russian rule in 1840. During the Soviet period it expanded into a major production center before an earthquake in 1988 destroyed large parts.
The city's name comes from earlier forms like Kumayri and Alexandropol, which locals still use in conversation and street signs. Theater plays a central role here, with several venues staging regular performances in Armenian that draw audiences from across the region.
Trains between here and Yerevan run four times daily and offer a direct connection through the Armenian countryside. The local airport receives flights from several European cities and makes arrival from abroad easier.
The Black Fortress from the mid-19th century consists of dark volcanic stone and forms a round structure now used for events. Local musicians sometimes play here at open-air concerts that use the echo of the thick walls.
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