Yeghvard
40°19′18″N44°28′53″E/ 40.32167°N 44.48139°E
Yeghvard
Եղվարդ | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Yeghvard withMount Arain the background | |
  Yeghvard | |
| Coordinates:40°19′18″N44°28′53″E/ 40.32167°N 44.48139°E | |
| Country | Armenia |
| Marz (Province) | Kotayk |
| First mentioned | 6th century |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7 km2(3 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,330 m (4,360 ft) |
| Population (2011 census) | |
| • Total | 11,672 |
| • Density | 1,700/km2(4,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+4 |
| Website | Official website |
| Sources: Population[1] | |
Yeghvard(Armenian:Եղվարդ) is a town and urban municipal community in theKotayk ProvinceofArmenia.It is located 39 kilometres southwest of the provincial centreHrazdan.As of the 2011 census, the population of the town is 11,672, almost same as reported during the 2001 census. Currently, the town has an approximate population of 10,900 as per the 2016 official estimate.
Etymology
[edit]The wordYeghvardis derived from the merger of twoArmenianwords:Yeghi(Armenian:եղի) meaningodororaroma,andvard(Armenian:վարդ) meaning rose. Thus, the wordYeghvardliterally meansrose odor.According to scholar and ArmenologistAram Ghanalanyan,the name is derived from the fact that the area of Yeghvard has been covered by a large forest, that was home to many types of roses and other flowers with strong fragrance and aroma.[2]
History
[edit]Yeghvard is one of the oldest settlements in Armenia. The name Yeghvard was first mentioned during the 6th century AD. It was first appeared in the historic chronicles of Catholicos Moses II of Yeghvard who reigned between 574 and 604 as the head of theMother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.[3]However, the area of Yeghvard has been settled since the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC, based on the remains of the "Seghanasar" ancient settlement found at the west of Yeghvard.
During the ancientKingdom of Armenia,the area of modern-day Yeghvard was part of the "Kotayk" canton ofAyraratprovince.
After the Christianization of Armenia in 301, the region of Kotayk became one of the important centres of theArmenian Church.The ruins of the Katoghike Church of Yeghvard are still found at the centre of the town. It was a large three-nave basilica built during the 5th and 6th centuries, under the rule of theAmatuniArmenian noble dynasty.
The remains of the 7th-century Saint Theodore Monastery -also known asGharghavankofZoravan- are found at the northeast of the town. According to the Catholicos of All ArmeniansJohn V the Historian,the monastic complex was built by prince Grigor I Mamikonian, between 666 and 685. Between the 7th and 9th centuries, Armenia suffered from the Arab Islamic occupation.
By the end of the 9th century, the village of Yeghvard became part of the newly establishedBagratid Kingdom of Armenia.Between the 11th and 15th centuries, Yeghvard suffered from the Seljuk, Mongol,Ag QoyunluandKara Koyunluinvasions, respectively.
According to the Armenian historianStepanos Orbelianof the 13th century, Yeghvard and the surrounding areas became part of theKingdom of Georgian.Later, the region was granted to princeLiparit Orbeliby princeIvane Mkhargrdzeli.TheChurch of the Holy Mother of God Of Yeghvardis the most notable historic structure of the town. It was built and completed in 1301 as an alternative church of the nearby ruined basilica church of Katoghike. Many old khachkars and graves are found around the church.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the territory of modern-day Kotayk region became part of theErivan Beglarbegiwithin theSafavid Persia.During that period, Yeghvard was known asMurattepeby the Persians and Turkic people. In June 1735, it became the location of theBattle of Yeghevārdat the final stages of thePerso-Ottoman War of 1730–1735.
After theRussianconquest of Armenia in 1828, Yeghvard became part of theArmenian Oblastand subsequently of theErivan Governorateformed in 1850.
After the Sovietization of Armenia in 1920, Yeghvard remained as a rural settlement until 1972 when it was given the status of an urban-type settlement to become the centre ofNairi raion.Yeghvard witnessed a significant industrial growth during the 1980s, with the formation of the "Nairishin" building materials plant and the Yeghvard shoes factory.
In 1995, it was given the status of an urban settlement by the government of independent Armenia. Many new industrial firms were formed in Yeghvard during the 1st decade of the 21st century.
Geography
[edit]
It is located at the west of the central part of modern-day Armenia, 18 km north of the capitalYerevan.Situated at the southern feet ofMount Ara(4.5 km south of the mountain), the town has an average height of 1333 meters abovesea level.
Demographics
[edit]
The majority of the population of Yeghvard are ethnic Armenians who belong to theArmenian Apostolic Church,under the jurisdiction of theDiocese of Kotayk.In addition to the town's historic church of theHoly Mother of God,Yeghvard has the Surp Sarkis Church opened in July 2017, with the presence of presidentSerzh Sargsyan.[4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1831 | 297 | — | ||
| 1897 | 2,144 | +3.04% | ||
| 1926 | 2,865 | +1.00% | ||
| 1939 | 3,021 | +0.41% | ||
| 1959 | 3,940 | +1.34% | ||
| 1970 | 5,398 | +2.90% | ||
| 1974 | 6,050 | +2.89% | ||
| 2001 | 11,627 | +2.45% | ||
| ||||
| Source:[5] | ||||
Culture
[edit]
Yeghvard has a house of culture as well as 3 public libraries.
The town has a plenty of historic structures dating back toclassical antiquityand the medieval period. The "Seghanasar" ancient settlement located at the southeast of the town is from the 2nd millennium BC. The ruins of a 4th-century church is found in the old cemetery of the town, surrounded with more than 30 khachkars dating back to the 12th century. The ruins of the 5th to 6th-centuries Katoghike Church of Yeghvard are also found at the centre of the town.
However, theChurch of the Holy Mother of Godof 1301, is the only well-preserved historic structure of the town.
Transportation
[edit]Yeghvard is connected with Yerevan through the H4 highway. Th H6 road connect the town with the nearby settlements of Kotayk Province.
Economy
[edit]
Yeghvard has witnessed a major industrial growth during the 1980s under the Soviet rule.
Currently, many major industrial plants including: the Yeghvard wine-brandy factory founded in 1966, the "Nairishin" building materials plant founded in 1986, the Yeghvard sport shoes factory founded in 1987, the Yeghvard yeast plant founded in 1991, the Yeghvard Combined Feed Factory founded in 1993, the "Semur & Co" steel and metal manufacturing plant founded in 2003, and the "Shanazaryan" wine-brandy factory founded in 2005.[6]
In 2016, the "Armoil" company for petroleum has built an oil refinery in Yeghvard.[7]
Yeghvard is also home to the "65 Military Factory" specialized in military products.
The residents of Yeghvard are also involved in agriculture, mainly grape and wheat. The farms are irrigated through the Arzni-Shamiram canal.
The construction of the large Yeghvard reservoir was launched in 1984. It is located to the southwest of the town. However, the construction is not yet completed and it is envisaged to relaunch the project in the near future. It will also include a lakeside resort known as "Masis, Sis and New Armenia".[8]
Education
[edit]Yeghvard has 3 public education schools as well as 3 kindergartens. It is also home to 2 art schools and 1 sport school.
The town is served by the Nairi Medical Center.
Sport
[edit]FC Yeghvardwas a football club that represented the town between 1986 and 1996. However, it was dissolved due to financial difficulties and is no longer active in professional football.
A sports school is operating in the town under the administration of the municipality, with a football stadium and other facilities.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^2011 Armenia census, Kotayk Province
- ^Book name: Avandapatum, author: Aram Ghanalanyan. 1969, Yerevan. (Ավանդապատում. Արամ Ղանալանյան, 1969, Երևան:)
- ^Edwards, Robert W., "Ełvard" (2016).The Eerdmans Encyclopedia of Early Christian Art and Archaeology, ed., Paul Corby Finney.Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 462.ISBN978-0-8028-9016-0.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^President attends consecration of newly built church in Yeghvard
- ^Հայաստանի Հանրապետության բնակավայրերի բառարան[Republic of Armenia settlements dictionary](PDF)(in Armenian). Yerevan: Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia. 2008. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 11 March 2018.
- ^About Shahnazaryan factory
- ^Oil refinery in Yeghvard
- ^Yeghvard reservoir
External links
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