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| Armenia's Architectural Heritage |
| Preserve the unique cultural identity of an Armenian city by documenting historic buildings and artifacts. |
     
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On The Expedition You will explore the Kumayri Historic District, a region rich in the culture and tradition of a bygone era. This neighborhood of Gyumri features historic houses built with indigenous red and black "tuff," classic churches, and open plazas. You will work with a teammate to sketch and measure building floor plans and elevations, photograph historic buildings and architectural details, and interview homeowners. In your recreational time, you might visit the capital city of Yerevan to shop in the outdoor market and attend cultural activities such as opera or performances by dancing troupes. A trip to Etchmiadzin, the Armenian equivalent of the Vatican, is also planned. This is an amazing opportunity to gain an intimate knowledge of Armenian culture and heritage. Meals and Accommodations You will stay in the Hotel Berlin, a short walk or van ride to your field study sites. The hotel is run by the German Red Cross, and features shared rooms, running water, and hot showers. You will start each day with a traditional breakfast at the hotel consisting of cheeses, meats, eggs, vegetables, homemade apricot jam, and traditional Armenian flat bread, or lavash. Meals in the field can include all the culinary delights of the Caucasus region, such as khorovats, or barbecued pork, and a wonderful assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. More Information 
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Research Summary Gyumri, Armenia — Armenia is the legendary earthly paradise where Noah landed his ark and cultivated the first vineyard. This mountainous country has been a crossroad of cultures for more than 2,000 years. Greeks, Romans, Russians, and Turks have all left their mark on the land and people. Throughout it all, Armenia's tenacious cultural identity marks the unique architecture of its historic buildings. Earthquakes in 1988 damaged or destroyed 80 percent of the buildings in the city of Gyumri, leaving half a million people homeless. Nearly 20 years later, attempts to rebuild this historic city are finally moving forward. You can help an international team, led by architect Jane Britt Greenwood, to document architecture in Gyumri's historic district. Your efforts will help guide plans to reconstruct a city that reflects Armenia's cultural legacy. Meet the Scientists  Jane Greenwood Mississippi State University |
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About the Research Area For a country roughly the size of Switzerland, Armenia has a wide and varied landscape. In the Shirak Region, located in the northwestern portion of the country, one can find semi-desert conditions in the southern lowlands and lush mountain meadows in the northern alpine areas. A number of distinctive land features define the borders of this region: the Akhurian River is located to the west of Gyumri and acts as a natural border between Turkey and Armenia, Mt. Aragats – the highest mountain in the country – defines the southeastern edges of the region, and the Bazruma and Javakh mountain ranges establish the eastern border. All in all, Shirak is a complex mountain region consisting of swamps and marshlands, large tracts of semi-desert conditions, and large pockets of forested alpine meadows. Over the centuries, the second largest city in Shirak has been known by numerous names: Kumayri, Alexandrapol, Leninakan, and Gyumri. Fortunately, the architecture and urban design is the major repository of its long and rich history. The city is full of parks, promenades, and fountains, and the buildings are distinguished through the use of indigenous red and black tuff. Despite political turmoil, natural disasters, and economic development, the city remains full of historic structures. At an elevation of 1,529 meters/5,016 feet, Gyumri offers a welcome relief from the smog, dust, and heat of Yerevan. |
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Locations shown are approximate.
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