| TavushArea: 2695 km 2
Population: 156500
Administrative Center: Ijevan
Distance from Yerevan to Ijevan: 137 km
Words alone cannot express the natural beauty of the Tavush Region. The rocky hillsides and flat peaks shrouded in the dense forests of the region give the north of Armenia a characteristic look.
More than 120 kinds of trees including beech, oak, yew, and pine give richness to the textured landscape and are home to brown bear, wild boar, fox, wolf, and other animals of the wild. Bird watchers will be surprised to learn that more than 240 kinds of birds can be observed against the local nature.
The region is teeming with rivers, lakes, and natural mineral springs. Several resorts, hotels, and treatment centers can be found in Tavush as well, where people can recharge their batteries, get some rest and relaxation, or rejuvenate themselves in a pastoral environment. The towns of Ijevan and Dilijan, the main industrial and resort centers of the region, are equally famous for their cultural heritage and activity.
As the serpentine road winds through the mountains towards Dilijan, the landscape undergoes a gradual, but thorough metamorphosis as more and more plants and then trees appear. The town itself, with its preserved wooden house from pre-soviet days, is the most famous of Armenia's regional cultural districts, boasting a rich legacy of craftsmanship, music, and the arts.
Turning back the clock, this region of Armenia bustled with activity as the Silk Road passed through this center of monastic life and learning, with signs of this activity evident at the impressive monasteries at Goshavank and Haghartsin.
The Dilijan national park is a showcase of a broad variety of animals and plants, many of which are identified as endangered species or nurtured for protection. The breadth of wildlife in this picturesque area includes over 1000 species of plants and 107 kinds of birds.
Ijevan, situated in the heart of Tavush, complements Dilijan and has earned a similar reputation for hospitality since ancient times. Its name is derived from the word «inn» or «caravanserai» as it welcomed travelers, merchants, and adventurers for a stop during their travels along the Silk Road. Driving into the city, a visitor will first notice a wrought iron fence and handcrafted light fixtures beside the Aghstev River denoting a park. Sprinkled up the mountains is an array of buildings, lining either side of the road leading to the center of town. Sculpture Park, with its large pine trees, provides a serene backdrop against dozens of contemporary stone pieces of art, each of which tells a story. These unusual pieces of sculptured art do not end at the gates of the park, but are randomly placed throughout the pedestrian walkways of the town, as if to pique the curiosity of the visitors, tempting them to explore every nook and cranny of this enchanting city.
Historically Ijevan was a center for handcrafted items including traditional Armenian rugs, for which its weavers have received acclaim. These intricately designed knotted carpets decorate homes around the world.
Dendro Park is dedicated to preserving special species of trees and abounds with a multitude of varieties of flowers. In the springtime, a walk down any of several mountain trails will offer you a spectacle of endless fields of wild flowers or a stop by a natural spring and have a picnic. | |
