Lori Region

Distance from Yerevan - 101 km
Territory - 3789 sq. km
Population - 392, 4 thousands
Structure - 113 communes,130 rural settlements
Major towns - Alaverdi, Spitak, Stepanavan, Tashir, Akhtala, Tumanian, Shamlukh and Vanadzor.
The region is situated in the north of Armenia, is rich in metal, copper and building materials.
The climate is temperate, in the north- subtropical.
There are Debed and Pambak rivers within the territory.
It is a region of industry and agriculture.

The city of Spitak has become world-wide since the tragic times when a terrible earthquake shook Armenia in 1988, December 7th. It suffered great loses. It has become a somewhat criterion being taken into account wherever something deals with earthquakes. Besides it is an epicenter of universal fraternity, peace and charity.
At present Spitak is being reconstructed due to the charitable means coming from different nooks of the world.
It is Spitak through which the Vanadzor-Yerevan, Vanadzor-Gyumri roads and Yerevan-Tbilisi railroads pass.
Spiatak is famous for its limestone pits, and because of some exceptional whiteness they radiate, the city is called Spitak, which means “white”.

Haghpat Monastery complex, one of main sighseeings in the region, is in the distance of 280 km from Yerevan and 17 km from Alaverdi. The construction of this monastery is associated to the glory of the Bagratouni Royal Family. The oldest structure of the Monastery was built in 977-991 and was called The Holy Cross Church. Holy water fills the small pool in the church. Believers say this water has curative qualities for people with poor health. Many cross-stones are built on the ground of the churches.
A three-storied bell tower built in 1245 is part of the complex. Haghpat displays a complex architectural style. The monastery includes also a book depository dating back to the 13th century, a number of well preserved remarkable khachkars (cross-stones) dating back to the 11-13th centuries. Moreover, the dwellings in Haghpat are regarded as splendid specimens of 19th c. Armenian folk style. For a long time, Haghpat was one of the spiritual centers of Medieval Armenia. The scientist monks collected various specimens of written documents in Armenia. Famous Armenian poet and musician Sayat Nova was exiled here 20 years far away from civilization.

Sanahin is a monastery complex the most prominent structure of which is the Savor’s Church (956-967), built by architect Trdat for princes Gourgen and Smbat from the Kyurikyan Kingdom. The eastern part of the church holds a bas-relief depicting the two princes holding the miniature copy of the actual church. The former village of Sanahin is located on the right side of the gorge. It has become a part of the town of Alaverdi. An interesting point is the Academy dating back to 1063, where famous scientist, philosopher and writer Grigor Magistros-Savor lectured. The Sanahin Monastery had many feudal properties, a great number of estates, lands, vineyards, oil-mills and factories.