Happy TravellerWelcome to Spitak, a town located in the northern Lori Province of Armenia. Despite being destroyed during the devastating 1988 earthquake, Spitak has been rebuilt and is now a charming destination for travelers seeking a mix of historical significance and natural beauty. Here’s everything you need to know before packing your bags for Spitak!
The settlement was first known as Hamamlu, meaning bath in Turkish, as the area had many baths. In 1948, it was renamed Spitak, meaning white in Armenian because of the presence of white limestone rocks in the area. The word spitak itself derives from Middle Persian spēdag (compare Parthian ispēd).
The area of modern-day Spitak was probably inhabited since the 4th millennium BC, based on ancient settlements found on the surrounding hills. Many remnants are found on the Sardar hill dating back to the Bronze Age. Later, the region was included within the kingdom of Urartu during the 7th century BC. Between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC, the region was part of the Orontid Armenia, followed by the Artaxiad ruled in 189 BC. The region was included within the Tashir (Armenian: Տաշիր) canton of the historic Gugark province, the 13th province of Greater Armenia. In the 9th century, the territory of Tashir became part of the newly founded Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia in 885.
Spitak covers an area of 57.6 km2 (22 sq mi) on the shores of Pambak River, at a height of 1650 meters above sea level. It is dominated by the Bazum mountains from the north and Pambak mountains from the south. Spitak is characterized with extremely cold winter and mild summer. The annual precipitation level reaches up to 440 mm (17 in).
In the 2011 census, the population of the town was 12,881. Currently, the town has an approximate population of 11,000 as per the 2016 official estimate. Spitak has a population of ethnic Armenians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The regulating body of the church is the Diocese of Gougark, seated in Vanadzor. The church of Holy Resurrection opened in 2001 is the towns church.
Spitak has a cultural house, 3 public libraries, many cinema theatres, a municipal theater, and an ethnographic museum. The cultural heritage of the town includes an archaeological site from the 2nd millennium BC, the ruins of an ancient settlement on the nearby Sardar hill from the 1st millennium BC, as well as a bridge on the Pambak river dating back to the 19th century. The Spitak day is celebrated every year on July the 15th.
Spitak is an important hub for transportation in Armenia. The M-3 Motorway that connects Yerevan with Tbilisi passes through the town. The M-7 Motorway the connects Gyumri with Vanadzor starts from Spitak. The town is also home to the Spitak railway station, almost midway between Yerevan and Tbilisi.
Spitak became a major industrial hub in northern Armenia under the Soviet rule. However, after the earthquake, the town lost its significance as an industrial center in Lori. The town has a flour mill and a building materials manufacturing plant. In 2015, Spitak had 7 public education schools, one boarding school and 7 kindergartens. The town is also home to a musical academy and a school of art. A branch of the Yerevan electro-technical intermediate college is also operating in the town.
Overall, Spitak is a town with a rich history and natural beauty. Don’t miss your chance to explore this hidden gem in Armenia!
