Exploring an abandoned Soviet sanatorium

Join my guided urban explorer tours to uncover a fascinating time capsule from the Soviet era. Once a thriving sanatorium offering a distinctive combination of leisure and medical services, it now stands as a relic of history, preserving the essence of a bygone era.

Located just a short distance from Yerevan, this destination is renowned for its high-quality mineral water and was once home to Armenia's premier sanatoriums. During the Soviet era, it attracted visitors from across the Union, offering them a perfect blend of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Perched high on the hill this sanatorium looks like a fortress from the gorge

In the Soviet Union and post-Soviet countries, a sanatorium is a combined resort and medical facility offering short-term complex rest and medical services, similar to a spa resort.

Projector room with its movie posters made a huge impression on me

Following the Soviet Union's collapse, these sanatoriums were privatized. Properties without investments decayed, facing looting, while guarded ones became time capsules. This particular sanatorium, built for tire factory workers, remains frozen in time, a unique glimpse into the past.

I’m Suren, a professional urban explorer in Armenia. I offer unique urbex tours to abandoned, hidden, and off-the-map places you won’t find in guidebooks. Want a custom itinerary? Contact me on WhatsApp or Telegram.