Gyumri

Gyumri is the capital and largest city of the Shirak Province in northwest Armenia. It is located about 75 miles (120 km) from the capital Yerevan, and, with a population of 168,918 (2008; up from 150,917 reported at the (2001 census), is the second-largest city in Armenia. Coordinates: 40°47'22"N 43°50'51"E

The name of the city has been changed many times in history. It was first known as Kumayri or Gyumri, then Alexandropol (also, Alexandrapol, Alexandropol’, Aleksandropol’, Alek’pol, Alek’sandrobol, and Alek’sandrapol, 1840–1924), then Leninakan (1924–1990), then again as Gyumri.

Gyumri is one of the oldest localities of Armenia. The region of Gyumri is mentioned in different Urartian inscriptions since 8th century BC. The first settlement at the location occupied by today's city of Gyumri is believed to have been founded some time in the 5th century BC, perhaps ca. 401 BC, by Greek colonists. An alternative theory suggests that the city was founded by Cimmerians, based on the fact that Cimmerians conquered the region in 720 BC and that the original name of the city was Kumayri. Historians believe that Xenophon passed through Gyumri during his return to the Black Sea, immortalized in his Anabasis.

During the Middle Ages Gyumri was known as a great settlement, and the center of Armenian rebellion against the Arabian regime (733-755).

Gyumri continued to develop in the 19th century, when, along with its surroundings, it became part of Russia, as a result of the Russo-Persian War (1804-1813). Gyumri came under Russian control in 1804 around 25 years earlier than the rest of eastern Armenia.

A major Russian fortress was built on the site in 1837. In 1840's, Aleksandrapol (a town since 1840) was quickly growing. It was an important outpost for the Imperial Russian military in the Transcaucasus, where their military barracks were established (Poligons, Severski, Kazachi Post).

In 1924 the name was changed to Leninakan after the deceased Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. Leninakan was a major industrial center for the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and its second largest city, after Yerevan, the capital. The city suffered major damage during the 1988 Spitak Earthquake, which devastated large parts of the country.

The current name of the city was chosen in 1990, at the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Russian 102nd military base is located in the city. Today, Gyumri is Armenia's second largest city.

Gyumri is also considered as the capital of Armenian humour.

There are five churches, one convent, and one Russian chapel in Gyumri. One of the most important historical churches is the Church of the Holy Saviour of All (Sourb Amenaprkich), resembling Ani Mother Cathedral. Construction of the church began in 1859 and was completed in 1873. It was greatly damaged by the 1988 Spitak earthquake and is currently being reconstructed.