Your outdoor adventure and sightseeing tours in Armenia start with "Armenian Explorer." Connect directly with your guide for the best hikes, trekking expeditions, off-road journeys, and urbex tours. Immerse yourself in Armenia’s rich history, from ancient Bronze Age megalithic sites to Soviet-era modernist architecture. Together, we’ll trek to Azhdahak volcano, conquer Mount Aragats, explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, abandoned Soviet buildings, the iconic ROT54 telescope, and more. Planning a tour to Armenia? Your outdoor adventure starts right here on my website Anchor 2 I’m Suren — a local guide in Armenia If you are planning to travel to Armenia and need a local guide, my website is for you! Armenian Explorer offers the opportunity to contact your guide directly, discuss upcoming events, or create a personalized tour package with customizable itineraries. I provide hiking tours that showcase Armenia's stunning landscapes and popular destinations like Mount Aragats and Mount Azhdahak. Additionally, I offer unique urban exploration tours of abandoned Soviet buildings, perfect for those eager to explore the unknown. These tours can also be combined with off-roading and cultural experiences, tailored to your interests. Contact me directly through the number provided at the bottom of the website to discuss your trip and customize your experience. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventure or historical exploration, I’m here to make your visit to Armenia unforgettable. About Me Anchor 1 Hiking in Armenia As an experienced guide in Armenia, I offer personalized hiking tours for all levels, from beginners to experienced hikers. Whether you want to conquer Mount Aragats, the highest summit in Armenia, or explore the popular but easier Mount Azhdahak, I provide memorable adventures. I offer both private and group tours to match your interests and skill level. Join my guided tours to experience Armenia’s stunning landscapes and have an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Urbex Armenia As a professional urbexer with 5 years of experience, I guide tourists into the world of urban decay. During our urban explorer tours, you will discover abandoned Soviet sanatoriums, planes, factories, Soviet monuments with otherworldly beauty, abandoned copper mines, telescopes, culture houses, and more. These locations are perfect not only for urban exploration photography but also for those seeking a memorable experience filled with excitement and a bit of adrenaline. Popular Tours in Armenia Discover the best tours in Armenia, showcasing iconic landscapes and hidden gems. Whether it's conquering Mount Aragats, exploring the volcanic beauty of Mount Azhdahak, or delving into abandoned Soviet-era sites, my guided tours offer unparalleled adventure. For water enthusiasts, try sup-boarding in Armenia's serene lakes, or for thrill-seekers, enjoy the excitement of off-roading through rugged terrain. As your dedicated guide in Armenia, I ensure each tour is unforgettable, tailored to your interests and skill level. Blog In the blog section of my website, you'll find in-depth articles covering the most sought-after topics related to Armenia. From the most popular hiking destinations to the creepiest abandoned buildings, these posts offer valuable insights into the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of our country. I also share stories of daring travelers and mountaineers whose adventures have left a lasting impact on me. Whether you're planning a visit or simply curious about this fascinating land, my blog offers a wealth of information to fuel your wanderlust.

Explore Armenia's rich history and architectural marvels like Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, and other UNESCO sites on guided sightseeing tours with Armenian Explorer. Sightseeing Tours in Armenia Armenia, a country steeped in history and ancient traditions, offers a unique opportunity to explore its stunning landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Join Armenian Explorer for personalized sightseeing tours that immerse you in Armenia's rich past. From ancient cyclopean fortresses and the iconic Garni Pagan Temple to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the first Christian cathedral, and the world’s tallest statue of Jesus Christ, immerse yourself in Armenia’s rich heritage. Discover its vibrant traditions, festive celebrations, and exquisite cuisine. Whether you're passionate about history, Soviet-era architecture, or seeking to experience Armenia's breathtaking landscapes, our expertly curated sightseeing tours provide an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of this fascinating country. Garni-Geghard & Sevanavank Day Sightseeing Tour This one-day tour covers some of Armenia's most iconic landmarks – must-visit sites for every traveler exploring the country. The journey takes you from ancient pagan history to the dawn of Christianity and the 9th century, when the Sevanavank Monastery was founded. We’ll visit the Garni Pagan Temple, the only surviving Greco-Roman colonnaded temple in the post-Soviet region, followed by the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery, famous for its rock-hewn churches and deep spiritual heritage. According to tradition, the Holy Lance – believed to have pierced Christ’s side during the crucifixion – was once kept here. Finally, we’ll head to the Sevan Peninsula to explore the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery and admire the sweeping views of Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude freshwater lakes. Read More Day Tour to Sevanavank, Dilijan & Parz Lake Discover some of Armenia’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations on this full-day guided tour from Yerevan. This tour combines breathtaking lake views, medieval monasteries, forest trails, and authentic Armenian charm — perfect for travelers who want to see both culture and nature in one day. Read More Guided Sightseeing Tour to Garni Pagan Temple & Geghard Monastery This tour, widely known as the Garni-Geghard tour, is one of Armenia’s most popular sightseeing experiences, offering a captivating journey from ancient pagan history to the dawn of Christianity. Located just a short drive from Yerevan, these landmarks provide a perfect opportunity to explore Armenia’s rich cultural heritage. On this tour, we’ll visit the Garni Pagan Temple, a striking example of Hellenistic architecture and the only surviving pagan temple in the post-Soviet territory. We’ll also explore Geghard Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its remarkable rock-hewn architecture and spiritual significance. The monastery was home to the Holy Lance, which, according to tradition, was brought to Armenia by the Apostle Thaddeus and kept there for centuries. Read More

Armenia, a mountainous country in the South Caucasus, is perfect for off-road adventures. Explore curated itineraries—from Mount Dimats to Lake Rapi—and create unforgettable memories on tours designed to match your adventurous spirit! Off-Road Tour to Armenia’s Mount Dimats Join me on the most epic off-road adventure in Armenia! Discover Mount Dimats — a stunning 2360m peak in Tavush known for its dramatic cliffs, wild horses, and Armenia’s tallest waterfall. This 4x4 tour combines jaw-dropping nature, light hiking, and unforgettable photo spots. Perfect for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and anyone craving a raw, off-the-beaten-path experience. Read More

Join my guided hiking tours to embark on unforgettable adventures, exploring the best hiking trails in Armenia! Answer the call of adventure travel in Armenia! Hiking in Armenia Thanks to active promotion on social media, Armenia, once a hidden gem, now shines with renewed brilliance, emerging as an increasingly attractive destination for tourists. The country's diverse terrain offers a wide range of outdoor adventures, including hiking tours, suitable for explorers of all levels. Join me on guided hiking and trekking tours in Armenia, where we’ll climb Mount Aragats, the highest peak in the country, or delve into the depths of its deepest caves. Traverse the ancient trails of Dilijan National Park or venture into the rugged beauty of the Geghama Mountains. Experience the rich cultural heritage as you hike to monastic wonders like Sanahin or the mysterious Tatev Desert, or feel the sense of security within once impregnable fortresses. Whether you’re seeking an adventurous journey or a peaceful retreat, my tour packages to Armenia are designed to offer unforgettable experiences. Unleash your inner adventurer and discover the captivating charm of Armenia’s hiking trails on my expertly guided tours. Explore Armenia like never before with tours that connect you to the heart of this ancient land. 1-Day Hike to Mount Ara Embark on a thrilling hiking adventure to Mount Ara, an extinct volcano located at the border of the Kotayk and Aragatsotn regions of Armenia, southeast of Mount Aragats. With a height of 2,577 meters, Mount Ara offers not only breathtaking views but also a unique opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity and geological history of Armenia. Read More 1-Day Hiking Tour to Lastiver from Yerevan Join a guided hiking tour in Armenia and explore the enchanting fairy-tale haven of Lastiver, hidden deep within the forested banks of the Khachaghbyur River, just 3 kilometers from Yenokavan village. This easy, year-round hike offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and adventure. Read More 2-Day Hiking and Sightseeing Tour in Armenia's Lori Region Discover the breathtaking beauty of Armenia’s Lori Region on this 2-day hiking and sightseeing adventure. Designed for beginners and those seeking to combine exploration with light physical activity, this tour features easy trails and visits to some of Armenia’s most renowned cultural and historical landmarks. Read More A Hiking Adventure to Mount Tesilk and its Mysterious Cave Mount Tesilk, standing at 1372 meters high, may not be a popular hiking destination for tourists due to its distance from Yerevan. However, among Armenian hiking groups, it is quite popular and promises to leave an unforgettable impression. Read More Aparan Reservoir Loop Trail Discover the Aparan Reservoir Loop Trail, an ideal destination for hiking in Armenia, located a convenient 45 km from Yerevan. This scenic trail is perfect for all-season hiking, offering beautiful landscapes for spring, summer, autumn, and winter treks. Learn about the reservoir's history, its impact on local villages, and the fascinating submerged church. Choose between the Big Loop and Small Loop, both winding through picturesque pine forests and alpine meadows. Get your local hiking guide and embark on a memorable outdoor adventure – a top choice for eco-tourism in Armenia and a fantastic day trip from Yerevan. Read More Best One-Day Hiking Tours from Yerevan This article provides a comprehensive guide to the best one-day hiking tours from Yerevan, Armenia's capital. These private, guided tours are designed for your convenience, typically beginning early in the morning at around 7:30 AM and concluding back in Yerevan by 6:00 PM. I invite you to explore the hiking destination that excites you most and book your adventure. To arrange a tour with Armenian Explorer, simply scroll to the bottom of the page to find my contact information. Read More Climbing Aragats: A Hiking Tour to the Southern Summit Join me on a guided hiking tour to the Southern Summit of Mount Aragats. Mount Aragats has four summits, each named according to its geographical location, and the Southern Summit provides the easiest route to the top. Departing from Yerevan, our trip covers 60 km one way, and in just about 1 hour and 10 minutes, we will reach an elevation of 3,200 meters. Here, the hike begins at the scenic Lake Kari (known in Armenian as Քարի լիճ / Stone Lake), one of the main starting points for Aragats trails. On the way to the Southern Summit, we will stop at the intriguing Aragats Gravity Hill, where you can experience an optical illusion that seems to defy the laws of physics. Read More Climbing mount Azhdahak Join me for a guided hike to the highest summit of the Geghama Mountains and conquer Mount Azhdahak. Trek through breathtaking landscapes, meet nomadic Yazidi shepherds, and explore the ancient Azhdahak petroglyphs—mysterious rock carvings that have survived for thousands of years. With a moderate difficulty level, this hike is ideal for adventurous travelers seeking high-altitude trekking. For a longer adventure, it can be combined with a multi-day Geghama Mountains trek, including camping under the stars near Mount Azhdahak. Read More Hiking tour to Smbataberd Fortress Smbataberd – Tsaghats Kar – Zorats Monastery is for those who want to discover rich Armenian cultural heritage on their hiking trail. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy this guided tour since there are many historical monuments to discover and the diverse terrain is hiking friendly! Read More Hiking tour to Tghit cyclopean fortress Step off the map and explore a cyclopean fortress that few people have visited. Though still a non popular destination I personally see a huge potential in this trail and consider it to be one of the best hikes an outdoor adventurer can take! Join my guided tour, discover and experience Armenia. Read More Hiking tour to mount Yeranos If you are looking for a hike in Armenia with a breathtaking view towards mount Ararat or Azat reservoir then mount Yeranos trail is for you! Get your guide and travel to one of the most wanted destinations in Armenia! Read More One-Day Hike from Yerevan: Climb Mount Aragats with a Guide This comprehensive Mount Aragats hiking tour itinerary invites you to climb all 4 summits of Armenia's highest mountain, Mount Aragats. We offer flexible options, allowing you to choose which Aragats summit to climb based on your physical fitness and desired challenge. Within this Armenia trekking guide, you'll find detailed technical information and trekking details for each of the four Aragats peaks presented separately. For the ultimate Aragats climbing adventure, including a 2 day hike with camping at night to conquer all four peaks of Mount Aragats at once, I am are ready to create a customized itinerary for you! Read More Suren, the hiking guide in Armenia I’m Suren, a hiking guide in Armenia. I provide guiding services for travelers of all levels, along with camping and trekking experiences, whether for private tours or large groups. I organize and lead all tours myself, supported by a professional team during larger trips — guides, drivers, and cooks. In this article, I want to share important advice and explain how we organize our hikes, as I can see you’re planning a visit and a hike in Armenia. Read More

This section of my website serves as a useful travel guide for tourists who are planning to visit Armenia! Discover popular hiking, trekking trails and best urbex locations by joining my guided tours Popular Tours in Armenia In this section of my website, I have curated the most popular tours in Armenia, ranging from cultural experiences to urban exploration, and from hiking to trekking adventures. If you’re seeking the best places to hike in Armenia, the top hiking trails and routes, or must-visit destinations, you’re in the right place. With a diverse array of options, you’ll easily find the perfect journey tailored to your interests. Join my guided tours in Armenia to ensure your visit is not only memorable but also truly exceptional. A Unique Tour to Armenia’s Hidden Cold War Radio Center This tour offers rare access to a working radio center, including control rooms, transmission halls, and original control panels with a striking futuristic design that still feels ahead of its time. For enthusiasts of Soviet history and industrial tech, it is a living Cold War relic. Towering shortwave masts and mediumwave antennas create a vast, almost apocalyptic landscape—resembling a scene from science fiction. During the Soviet era, the station both jammed Western broadcasts such as Voice of America and transmitted Soviet programming and ideology across the Middle East and Afghanistan. Read More Tour to Armenia’s Particle Accelerator This tour takes you inside one of the most remarkable scientific sites of Soviet Armenia — the Yerevan Physics Institute Synchrotron. In a country best known for ancient monasteries and volcanic landscapes, few expect to find a particle accelerator. Yet Armenia holds its own place in the history of high-energy physics. Better known as YerPhI, this Soviet-era research complex hides a massive underground accelerator once used for advanced experiments in nuclear and particle physics. Today, it offers a rare opportunity to explore a place where science, history, and mystery come together. Read More Urbex Tour to the Trophy 1m Schmidt Telescope at Byurakan Observatory This tour takes you to one of the most important scientific centers in Armenia—the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, located in Byurakan village. After a short 40-minute drive from Yerevan, our first stop is the iconic Schmidt telescope, originally commissioned by Adolf Hitler as a gift to Benito Mussolini. The tour can also be tailored to include a visit to ROT54. Read More Urbex Tour to ROT54 – Explore Armenia’s Most Fascinating Abandoned Place I’m Suren, a professional urbexer who has turned his passion into a career, guiding tourists through abandoned places and supporting a unique lifestyle. I do this full-time and, over the years, have become a specialist in this field. In recent years, urbex (urban exploration) has gained massive popularity, especially on social media. Soviet-era sites across post-Soviet countries have become hotspots for adventurers, photographers, and history enthusiasts. One of the most popular destinations in Armenia is the ROT54 Radio-Optical Telescope, perched at 1,700 meters above sea level on the southern slopes of Mount Aragats — the country’s highest peak. This tour invites you to join me as your private guide to explore this Soviet-era scientific marvel. Read More From Yerevan to Mount Aragats Climb Mount Aragats with a guided hike from Yerevan! This adventure is perfect for beginners and those with average fitness. We drive just 60 km (about 1 hour 10 minutes) to Lake Kari, then hike 5.5 km to the Southern Summit—the easiest of Aragats’ four peaks. You’ll gain 688 meters in elevation while enjoying stunning mountain views. The best time to climb Aragats is from June to November, with mild weather and clear skies. Join this safe, fun, and scenic Aragats day trip from Yerevan for an unforgettable mountain adventure! Read More Climb Mount Artanish & Explore Sevanavank Monastery Almost every traveler to Armenia visits Lake Sevan, and exploring the historic Sevanavank Monastery is a must. For hiking enthusiasts seeking an added challenge, climbing Mount Artanish offers a truly unique reward—it’s the only summit from which the entire expanse of Lake Sevan is visible, providing breathtaking panoramic views you won’t find anywhere else. Read More Hiking from Lake Parz to Gosh Village The Parz Lake – Goshavank trail is one of the most accessible and rewarding hikes in Armenia. Located in Dilijan National Park, this 6.5 km route connects the scenic Parz Lake (1334 m) with the 12th-century Goshavank Monastery, passing through lush forests, wildflowers, and diverse bird habitats. With an elevation gain of 230 m, the trail is rated easy, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced hikers. Read More Hike Armenia by choosing the popular Smbataberd trail Join my guided tour to explore the natural and historical beauty of Armenia along the Smbataberd – Tsaghats Kar – Zorats Church hiking trail. This 10 km route combines scenic mountain landscapes with rich cultural landmarks, including the medieval Smbataberd Fortress and the Tsaghats Kar Monastic Complex. The trail is a favorite not only for hiking enthusiasts from around the world but also for off-road adventurers, offering rugged terrain, panoramic views, and a glimpse into Armenia’s medieval heritage. Read More Hiking Tour to Mount Azhdahak — The Best Trail in Armenia As a professional hiking guide who leads dozens of trips to Mount Azhdahak every year, I can confidently recommend this hike. If I had to suggest just one hike in Armenia, it would be either the Northern Summit of Mount Aragats or Mount Azhdahak—depending on your physical condition and priorities, since both are priced the same. Mount Azhdahak offers wide panoramic views and a unique crater lake at an elevation of 3,500 meters. On warm days, adventurous hikers can even swim in the cold, refreshing water, making the experience truly unforgettable. Ideal for hikers and nature lovers, the Mount Azhdahak trek is a must-do in Armenia. Book a guided tour and take on one of the country’s top hiking adventures. Read More Climbing mount Aragats (all 4 summits) Join my guided Mount Aragats hike and conquer one of its four summits by choosing the route that best matches your fitness level and goals. Just so you know, Mount Aragats has four summits, each named according to its geographical location: North, South, East, and West. All four are accessible and do not require technical climbing skills. Each route has its own challenge—ranging from moderate trails like the Southern Summit to steeper climbs like the North Peak. In this tour itinerary, you'll learn everything you need to know to choose which summit to climb. Read More Hiking tour to mount Dimats Dimats mountain has surely become one of the most popular hiking and off-roading destinations in Armenia in recent years! Take this guided hiking tour and make your trip to Armenia a memorable one! This article can be a good tourist guide for those who want to hike and explore Dimats trail. Read More

This section of my website, Urbex Armenia, can serve as a useful tourist guide for those who want to explore the abandoned side of Armenia! Explore abandoned factories, pioneer camps, culture houses and more in Armenia with an experienced urban explorer! Urbex Armenia After the collapse of the Soviet Union, numerous industrial plants, hotels, pioneer camps, culture houses, cable car stations, and other establishments fell victim to looting or succumbed to the ravages of time. Over the years, the inexorable passage of time has bestowed upon these sites an air of mystery and allure, making them increasingly appealing to tourists interested in urbex decay and abandoned places. Join my guided urbex tours as we explore these hauntingly beautiful remnants of Armenia's past. Within this section of my website, you will discover a multitude of abandoned locations in Armenia that I have personally explored and which now await your discovery. The Forgotten 50 cm Cassegrain Telescope of Byurakan Observatory During one of my visits to the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, I had the lucky chance to see the 50 cm Cassegrain telescope. Henrik Sargsyan, the oldest staff member of BAO, guided us there. The building felt like a lighthouse—standing tall, rising high, with endless stairs leading upward. Finally, we reached the telescope. Unlike the 1-meter Schmidt telescope, where the dome opens with motorized force, here everything is done manually, as you’ll see in the video. Let’s talk about it. Read More Inside the Eerie Corridors of an Abandoned Russian Fortress Late on a rainy day, I set out to explore one of the most iconic structures in Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri. Pushing through tall grass and slippery terrain, I made my way up to the fortress—only to find the entrance locked. Luckily, a narrow window offered a way in. Inside, I stepped into maze-like, eerie corridors where history, decay, and silence create one of the most atmospheric urbex experiences in Armenia. I was inside the Horseshoe-Shaped fortress. Read More Urbex Tours in Armenia – Photo Gallery In this article, I’ve selected some of the most memorable photos I took during our urbex tours in Armenia. These images show how our tours really happen, what places we visit, and the atmosphere you can expect on the road. By joining my tours, you become part of a growing community of travelers who explore Armenia’s abandoned places together. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Rest House with Impressive Bas-Reliefs During one of our urbex expeditions, we explored an abandoned rest house hidden deep in the forest. In Soviet times, it was a popular retreat for Ministry of Transport employees and was known as Narine. Today, the complex is slowly deteriorating, but it is currently for sale and awaiting an owner willing to invest and restore its former glory. Read More Destroyed Soviet Mosaics and Frescoes in Armenia Earlier, I dedicated several articles to destroyed bas-reliefs and statues in Armenia. These articles still attract strong interest, drive steady traffic to my website, and help bring forgotten masterpieces back into public view. Today’s article focuses on another crucial layer of Soviet monumental art: the destroyed mosaics and frescoes of Armenia. Read More Soviet Bus Stops in Armenia This article explores Soviet-era bus stops in Armenia—structures that have miraculously survived into modern times, though many are damaged, neglected, and largely forgotten by locals. Today, cars rush past at high speed, and passengers barely notice these roadside sculptures. Only a handful of travelers who truly appreciate Soviet architecture stop to photograph them, leaving curious onlookers to wonder—“Why are they taking pictures? Spies, perhaps?”. These bus stops are silent witnesses of the era, built for the most monotonous task imaginable: waiting for a bus. Yet their designs are anything but boring, reflecting the bold creativity of the Soviet Union. Read More The 53 cm Schmidt Telescope at Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory During one of my many visits to Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory—where I regularly guide visitors—I asked Henrik Sargsyan, the observatory’s oldest staff member, to show us the 53 cm Schmidt telescope. Sargsyan has worked at BAO since 1958. Warm, generous, and deeply devoted to science, he gladly agreed. Seeing yet another instrument that shaped modern astronomy was pure joy. Read More A Spaceship on Earth: The Soviet-Armenian Echo of the Futuro House In this article, I briefly cover the history of Futuro houses, their appearance in the Soviet Union, and a unique replica that has survived to this day—resembling an alien spaceship and inviting travelers to stop, step inside, and take a short break after a long drive. Read More The Chayka Monument That Angered Nikita Khrushchev During His 1961 Visit to Armenia In this article, I present one of Armenia’s most distinctive Soviet-era architectural landmarks—the Chayka monument. You’ll learn why it provoked Khrushchev’s anger, how it defied official Soviet ideology, and how it still stands today as a rare example of clever engineering and artistic expression that outlived strict political doctrine and the test of time. Read More Armenia’s Abandoned Orbita Antenna This article is dedicated to this giant antenna, known as Orbita, which is located in Armenia and was once part of the vast Soviet satellite communication network. For decades, it played a key role in receiving television signals from Moscow and distributing them across the region. Today, the antenna stands as a powerful reminder of an era when satellite technology first made it possible to connect distant parts of the Soviet Union through television and radio broadcasts. Read More A Soviet-Armenian Soldier’s Album Found During an Urbex Tour A rare Soviet-era soldier’s album discovered during an urbex tour in Armenia. Photographs and hand-drawn illustrations offer an intimate look into military service, everyday life, and personal memories of a Soviet-Armenian conscript from 1981 to 1983. This is raw, uncensored micro-history—not propaganda, not official archives, but real soldier life seen from the inside. Read More A Visit to a Soviet-Era Aviamodeling School in Armenia This article takes you to one of the Soviet-era aviamodeling schools still operating in Armenia. The school has never undergone renovation and remains almost unchanged, like a time capsule—a living museum that continues to function to this day, with children still attending classes. The article also provides a brief overview of the role and purpose of aviamodeling schools in the USSR, including their development in Armenia. Read More Exploring a Perfectly Preserved Soviet Knitwear Factory In this article, you’ll learn about a perfectly preserved Soviet-era knitwear factory. Spread across two floors, it remains largely untouched and filled with original knitting and sewing machines, ironing equipment, Soviet posters, an armored safe with original banknotes, and many other items typical of factories of that era. This place is a true time capsule and a must-visit site for any urbex enthusiast. Read More The Abandoned Observatory I Spent Years Searching For In this article, you’ll learn about a little-known abandoned observatory in Armenia, perched high in the mountains and wrapped in mystery due to its unclear past. Read More An abandoned amphitheater in Armenia In this article, you’ll discover a little-known Soviet-era amphitheater, now abandoned. Explore how these spaces evolved over centuries while preserving classical architectural traditions. A hidden gem for urban explorers and enthusiasts of forgotten Soviet-era architecture, this site offers a rare glimpse into Armenia’s theatrical past. Read More A Remarkable Soviet-era Bas-Relief in Gyumri Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri, is known not only for its distinctive pre-Soviet and Soviet architecture but also for its long-standing blacksmithing traditions. It’s no surprise that in 2023 this tradition was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, though, we’re looking at another part of Gyumri’s cultural landscape — Soviet-era monumental art, specifically a 1977 bas-relief created by sculptor Ferdinand Araqelyan. Read More The Friendship of Nations Monument in Gyumri Across the Soviet republics, monuments, fountains, mosaics, and other massive art pieces dedicated to the “friendship of nations” were everywhere. They promoted the idea of unity among peoples, and many shared a standard, copy-paste design across different republics. One such monument stands in Gyumri — and its story is far more complicated than it seems at first glance. Read More Exploring a 19th-Century Abandoned House in Armenia Shvanidzor is located about 400 km from Yerevan and 11 km northeast of Meghri, just a kilometer from the Arax River, at an altitude of 600–700 meters. Once home to around a thousand people, it now has roughly 280 residents, and the local school teaches only 20 children. Time seems to stand still in this village, where historic buildings quietly bear witness to the past. Today, we’ll explore one of these architectural gems: a 19th-century house in the village. Read More Inside One of the Most Impressive Culture Houses in Armenia Shvanidzor feels like a place time forgot — quiet, sunburned, tucked into the reddish slopes of the Meghri region. The village sits about 11 km northeast of Meghri town and only a kilometer from the Arax River, resting at 600–700 meters above sea level. Once home to around a thousand people, today Shvanidzor has barely 280 residents. The local school has just 20 students. Life here runs slow and steady. But the village hides some serious architectural surprises. Today we will talk about the famous “Shvanidzor culture house”. Read More Inside Levon’s Divine Underground Explore Levon’s Divine Underground in Arinj, Armenia — a mysterious hand-carved cave created over 23 years by one man, Levon Arakelyan. Discover his incredible story, the cave’s intricate chambers, and how his legacy continues through his family today. Read More Top Railway Stations to See in Armenia Explore Armenia’s top railway stations, both active and abandoned, each showcasing remarkable architectural design and rich history. From Yerevan’s elegant mid-20th-century hub to Gyumri’s stunning Soviet modernist masterpiece, Vanadzor’s museum-like interior, Alaverdi’s unique frescoes, and the abandoned Meghri station with its eery atmosphere, these stations tell the story of Armenia’s railways and cultural heritage. Perfect for travelers and history enthusiasts, this guide highlights the beauty, artistry, and significance behind each remarkable station. Read More A Soviet-era sanatorium with forgotten masterpieces In this article, I want to introduce another abandoned sanatorium that conceals beautiful ceramic bas-reliefs and a mesmerizing interior design. Out of caution, I won’t share exterior photos — not because I don’t have them, but because I don’t want to make the location too easy to find. In recent years, several heritage sites have suffered vandalism after being popularized online, often by attention-seeking TikTokers. A small request to fellow explorers: if you discover new places, share them responsibly. Publish photos in a way that doesn’t reveal exact locations, so that future urbexers can also experience these treasures. Read More Inside a Soviet-Era Crystal Growth Lab When I visited the institute, I saw a room filled with crystal growth furnaces. To me, they looked more like forgotten artworks than old scientific machines. Rows of cylindrical chambers with heavy bolts and pipes stood in place, humming softly as water trickled through their cooling systems. This article aims to shed light on these marvelous machines which, thanks to their high quality, are still operating and producing crystals Read More The Soviet “Raketa” boats of Lake Sevan I traced the iconic Raketa boats of Lake Sevan to find out where they are resting now. This article sheds light on their story and final resting places. Once highly popular among visitors, these hydrofoils became one of the true symbols of Lake Sevan. Read More The Soviet-Era Sanatorium in Armenia Built by German Prisoners of War On my urbex tours in Armenia, I often take travelers to one particular Soviet sanatorium — a place that feels like a true time capsule. Remarkably, it is still operating today, combining striking architectural design with a range of healing procedures. While we usually focus on the exploration side and don’t take part in the treatments, those who are curious can certainly arrange to experience them. Read More The ZTA-2.6 Telescope at Byurakan Observatory Earlier I wrote about the 1-meter Schmidt telescope at the Byurakan Observatory. Today I want to focus on another giant of Armenian and Soviet science — the ZTA-2.6 telescope. For anyone interested in Soviet technology, scientific tourism or into urbex adventures, this site is a true hidden gem. And yes — you can explore it on my urban explorer tours across Armenia. Read More Exploring a Soviet-era abandoned driving school in Armenia We stepped inside and found ourselves in a remarkably well-preserved Soviet driving school. The interior felt like a time capsule—walls lined with posters on mechanization, civil defense, traffic regulations, and even diagrams of various firearm mechanisms. Scale models and early driving simulators sat quietly, untouched for decades, telling the story of an era when driving education went far beyond simply learning to operate a vehicle. This article sheds light on this fascinating place, offering a glimpse into a unique piece of Soviet history. Read More We Explored a Giant Refractory Brick Factory During this urbex mission, we explored a massive Soviet-era refractory brick factory. The site was so big it took hours to cover — and even then, some sections remained unexplored. This article aims to document our exploration and offer a glimpse into how this industrial giant, rich with history, stands today. Read More Cemetery of Firefighting Trucks During one of my explorations, I came across a hauntingly beautiful graveyard of firefighting trucks tucked away in Armenia. These machines, which once roared to life to battle hundreds of fires and save countless lives, now stand silent and weathered—like retired heroes left to rest. Through my photos, I aimed to immortalize their legacy and pay tribute to these rugged Soviet-era workhorses. Read More The Forgotten Computers of a Soviet-Era Factory Inside an abandoned textile factory in Armenia, I stumbled upon something unexpected: rows of old computers, a large auditorium, and a Soviet mosaic. While I'm usually drawn to monumental Soviet art, this time the computers completely stole the show. They looked like nothing I'd ever seen before—and strangely, even a Google image search didn’t turn up anything similar. Read More Near the Armenian–Iranian border stands a beautiful, abandoned train station It was already getting dark when we reached this abandoned train station, and the atmosphere left a deep impression on me. Standing there, the iconic statue of a young girl caught my eye—her graceful hand gesture, once holding a pigeon, now seemed to highlight the eerie beauty of this forgotten place. In this article, you’ll discover the history, development, and decline of this remarkable site. Highly recommended for urbex photographers and history enthusiasts visiting Armenia. Read More Inside a Cold War-Era Soviet Bunker Hidden in Armenia Deep beneath the forests of Armenia, I explored an abandoned Soviet bunker — frozen in time. Built during the Cold War to withstand a potential nuclear strike, it now lies silent, rusting, and eerie. Once a highly classified location, it's been forgotten by time, drawing in urban explorers and military history enthusiasts alike. Read More This Abandoned Restaurant Hides A Forgotten Masterpiece Tucked away in a crumbling building off an uneven road, this abandoned restaurant holds a stunning secret — a clay bas-relief by renowned Armenian ceramist Eduard Beroyan. What was once a vibrant space now lies forgotten, but the artwork still clings to life. Join me on an urbex adventure that uncovers beauty where no one’s looking — in the dust, silence, and shadows of decay. Read More Armenia’s Particle Accelerator Just a short drive from the center of Yerevan, in what used to be the city’s outskirts in 1960s, stands something few would expect from a small mountainous country better known for ancient monasteries and volcanic peaks: a particle accelerator. Yes, Armenia has its own chapter in the history of high-energy physics. Welcome to the Yerevan Physics Institute Synchrotron, also known as YerPhI (ЕРФИ - Ереванский физический институт) or officially, the A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory—a quiet but powerful remnant of Soviet science. Read More The Cemetery of German POWs in Gyumri In this article, you will learn about the cemetery of German war prisoners in the Slabotka district of Gyumri, where their memory is honored by visitors from Armenia, Germany, and beyond. Read More Destroyed Bas-Reliefs of Armenia Together with G. Mattu, with this article, we aimed to compile and document the destroyed bas-reliefs in Armenia, created by monumental artists during the Soviet era. Once integral parts of the country's cultural and architectural landscape, these works of art have been lost to time, metal scavengers, vandalism and neglect. Through this collection, we hope to preserve their memory and reflect on their historical and artistic significance. Read More The Destroyed Statues of Armenia Shifts in ideological paradigms, political caprice, the desire to break away from a totalitarian past, and acts of vandalism led to the dismantling or destruction of many monuments associated with communist ideology and beyond. This process accelerated after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In this article, we will explore the statues that once adorned Armenia, only to be lost to history. Read More Urban Exploration Tour with Carlus in a Lada Niva Carlus, a traveler from Spain, joined my urban exploration tour in Armenia, during which we explored abandoned places and iconic Soviet-era locations in a Lada Niva he rented locally. This tour was especially nostalgic for me, as our family car was a red Niva, bringing back fond memories. Our journey took us from an abandoned cultural house to the Byurakan Observatory, the ROT54 telescope, abandoned pioneer camp, other Soviet-era sites, and eerie, abandoned copper tunnels, uncovering some of Armenia’s most hidden gems. Here is a brief overview of our tour. Read More This Trophy 1m Schmidt Telescope Was Hitler's Gift to Mussolini Discover the history of the 1-meter Schmidt telescope, originally commissioned by Adolf Hitler as a gift to Mussolini. After World War II, it was seized by the Soviets and later installed at Armenia's Byurakan Observatory in 1960. This telescope played a key role in the discovery of Markarian galaxies and contributed to significant astrophysical research until its decommissioning in 1991. A modern reconstruction project is now in progress. Read More Exploring the Unfinished Depths of Yerevan Metro We explored the abandoned section of the Yerevan Metro, starting with calming down some aggressive dogs and sneaking through a narrow gap. It was an unforgettable and unusual experience for me—my first time ever inside a metro tunnel. As someone who has always loved traveling around Yerevan by metro, stepping into its unfinished depths felt surreal. The damp smell, eerie atmosphere, and the promise of capturing some truly unique photos made it all worthwhile. Read More Abandoned Culture Palace of Kanaker Aluminium Factory – KANAZ The Kanaz Culture Palace, built in 1958, served as a vibrant hub for the Kanaker Aluminium Factory. Designed by architects Sos Manukyan and Vilen Tonikyan, it features Armenian architectural elements, sculptures by Grigor Badalyan, and striking Armavir tuff stone. Despite its rich heritage, the building has faced decades of neglect. Although restoration plans were announced in 2019, as of 2024, it remains closed and untouched, awaiting revival. Read More Urban Explorer Tour with a French Photographer This article provides a glimpse into an extraordinary urban explorer tour I led in Armenia with Damien, a talented French photographer. We spent an unforgettable week together, discovering the remnants of Armenia’s Soviet-era past, and his creative perspective left a lasting impression on me. Read More Lenin in Armenia During the Soviet era, Armenia, like other Soviet republics, was rich in the imagery of Vladimir Lenin. Statues, busts, mosaics, frescoes, and posters featuring the leader of the October Revolution were everywhere, symbolizing the USSR's ideology and governance. However, after the Soviet Union's collapse, Armenia’s new authorities moved swiftly to dismantle these Soviet relics. One of the first and most notable statues to be removed was Lenin’s monument in the Republic Square, yet parts of it have surprisingly endured to the present day. Let’s explore what has survived. Read More Urban Explorers Are Fascinated by This WWII Memorial Soviet WWII monuments, found throughout former Soviet republics, honor the immense sacrifice and heroism of soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. Often featuring dramatic sculptures of soldiers, tanks, and eternal flames, they symbolize the victory over Nazi Germany. These monuments serve as enduring tributes to Soviet resilience, commemorating the millions who fought and died for the Soviet Union and shaping the region's collective memory and post-war identity. In Armenia, every city and almost every village has a monument dedicated to WWII. Some have gained popularity among urban explorers and photographers over time. Here is one of them: Read More Hammer and Sickle: The Most Iconic Soviet Symbol The hammer and sickle, a symbol that defined the Soviet Union and became synonymous with communism, carries a powerful historical and ideological meaning. This iconic image, consisting of a crossed hammer and sickle, represents the unity of industrial workers and agricultural laborers, embodying the vision of a classless society built on collective labor. Its appearance on flags, public buildings, and monuments reinforced the Soviet state’s identity and spread its influence globally. Read More Jesus Statue in Armenia In 2025, Armenia is set to unveil the world's tallest statue of Jesus Christ, an impressive monument that will stand atop Mount Hatis in the Kotayk region. The statue, initiated and funded by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, will be 33 meters tall and sit on a 44-meter pedestal, bringing its total height to 77 meters. This will surpass the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (98 feet (30 meters) tall, and 2,340 feet (713 meters) above sea level ). Positioned at an altitude of 2,528 meters, the statue is expected to become a significant tourist attraction in Armenia. Read More From Duga Radars to Intercontinental Radio Rebroadcasting Station in Armenia This narrative takes you on an urban exploration mission to a Soviet-era intercontinental radio station in Armenia, intertwined with an unexpected discussion about the Duga radar. Discover the site’s historical significance, its role in Cold War-era broadcasts, and its current enigmatic state. Read More Iconic Soviet Statues and Monuments in Armenia Explore the rich tapestry of Soviet art with this guide to Soviet monuments and statues in Armenia. From the statue of Hayk Nahapet to the statue of Vladimir Lenin, discover how these landmarks reflect the artistic and ideological spirit of their time. Journey through history with iconic Soviet monuments and experience a unique blend of cultural heritage and artistic expression. Perfect for anyone interested in tours in Armenia and exploring its remarkable artistic history. Read More Tsovinar: The Iconic Soviet Monument of Hrazdan This striking Soviet monument, officially named "Long Live the Blue and Clear Sky," stands on the shores of Aghbyurak Reservoir in Hrazdan city. When the reservoir level rises, the statue is partially submerged, creating a striking visual effect that further emphasizes its connection to the water and its mythological significance. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Cable Car Station This abandoned cable car station is a captivating destination for urban exploration enthusiasts. The stunning views from the station and the intricate machinery inside draw urbexers from around the world. Join my guided tours in Armenia to explore this historic site, now lying in ruins. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Copper Mine Join my guided tours in Armenia to explore an abandoned copper mine. We’ll cross adrenaline-pumping bridges and venture into tunnels that promise an unforgettable experience and incredible photo opportunities. Read More Aramyants's Abandoned Mansion - A Glimpse into Urbex Decay and Tours in Armenia During my urbex tours in Armenia, particularly in the Lori region, one of our must-see stops is the abandoned mansion of Armenian philanthropist Mikael Aramyants in the town of Akhtala. This mansion, with its rich history and architectural beauty, offers a unique glimpse into Armenia's past and is a key attraction on my urban exploration tours in Armenia. Let's delve into the story of this remarkable place. Read More The Scientific and Technical Library of Armenia I have visited many libraries in Armenia, but this one impressed me the most with its extensive collection of technical literature. Unfortunately, the Scientific and Technical Library of Armenia will be closed due to a highly criticized decision by the Armenian Government. Read more in the article. Read More The Abandoned Culture Palace of Jermuk City Explore the abandoned Culture Palace of Jermuk, an architectural masterpiece by Martin Mikayelyan. A haven for urbexers and urban photographers, this ghostly building with its rich history, intricate sculptures, and vast interiors offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Read More This Culture House Hides Busts of Lenin and Shahumyan and a Gorgeous Fresco Inside this cultural house, we discovered busts of Lenin and Shahumyan, along with a huge fresco created in 1965 by the Armenian artist R.S. Mnatsakanyan. Read More Soviet modernist buildings in Armenia Armenia, a country with a rich history and diverse cultural heritage, boasts an intriguing blend of architectural styles. Among these, the Soviet modernist buildings stand out as bold expressions of a unique period in the nation's architectural and political history. Constructed primarily during the second half of 20th century, these structures reflect the ideals and aesthetics of Soviet modernism, which sought to combine functionality with innovative design. Read More Exploring the Abandoned Armenian Scientific Institute of Livestock Breeding and Forage Production While exploring abandoned buildings in Armenia, we discovered a looted institute with two striking bas-reliefs and remnants of research on livestock and animal nutrition. This site once played a vital role in advancing Armenia's livestock industry, focusing on animal quality and forage production. Read More Gyumri Railway Station: A Bright Example of Soviet Modernist Architecture Explore Gyumri Railway Station, Armenia's oldest rail station, known for its Soviet modernist architecture. Established in 1897, it connects Gyumri to major destinations. The station features unique design elements and serves as a historical landmark, reflecting the city's vibrant cultural heritage. Read More A Visit to Mikoyan Brothers' Museum Nestled amidst the picturesque village of Sanahin, Armenia, lies the Mikoyan Brothers' Museum, dedicated to two brothers who left an indelible mark on Soviet history. This museum honors the remarkable achievements of Anastas Mikoyan, a prominent politician who rose through the ranks of the Soviet government, and Artem Mikoyan, a brilliant aircraft designer who co-created the legendary MiG fighter jets. Read More Karen Aghamyan's Mesmerizing Mosaic Inside “Zangak” Bookstore Karen Aghamyan's "Progress" mosaic, created in 1983, is a well-preserved and even restored work of art. It is located inside “Zangak” book store on Komitas avenue, Yerevan, and I personally find it to be one of the best mosaics of the Soviet period. Read More This culture house in Apaga village features an amazing fresco Explore Apaga Village's rich cultural heritage and its iconic House of Culture, featuring the monumental "Sasuntsiner" fresco by Sargis Muradyan. Read More My Favorite Metal Bas-Reliefs in Armenia Bas-reliefs, a form of sculpture where figures are slightly raised from a flat background, have been used throughout history to commemorate events, celebrate cultural achievements, and propagate political ideologies. During the Soviet era, these artistic expressions were extensively employed across the Union, including in Armenia, to convey the principles and triumphs of socialism while also decorating buildings to create an inspiring atmosphere. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Cinema Behind the thick vegetation, an old and mysterious-looking building stood. An abandoned cinema from a bygone era, a silent sentinel amidst the mineral springs and modern resorts. Read More Top Abandoned Places in Armenia Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, numerous industrial plants, hotels, pioneer camps, cultural centers, and other establishments fell victim to looting and the ravages of time. Over the years, these sites have acquired an air of mystery and allure, making them increasingly appealing to tourists. In this article, I have selected the top abandoned places in Armenia that I have personally explored and documented, now awaiting your discovery. Read More This abandoned culture palace hides a nice mosaic Discover the remnants of Gyumri's cultural heritage by visiting this abandoned Palace of Culture, featuring the iconic mosaic Dance of Sassoon by Ferdinand Manukyan. Despite the building's decay, this artistic gem endures, capturing the essence of a bygone era. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Soviet Driving School The Soviet Union, known for its rigorous and systematic approach to education and training, established a comprehensive network of driving schools to equip its citizens with the necessary skills to navigate the country’s extensive road network. These driving schools were not merely institutions for learning how to operate a vehicle; they were an integral part of the Soviet education system and preparation for army service, reflecting the values and priorities of the era. This article will provide a brief overview of what driving classes and posters looked like in the USSR. Read More Soviet-era mosaics in Armenia Soviet-era mosaics in Armenia are remarkable relics that offer a vivid glimpse into the country’s artistic and cultural heritage. Created mostly in the second half of the mid-20th century, these intricate works of art reflect the social, political, and ideological narratives of the time. Today, they stand as vibrant testimonies to a complex past, blending traditional Armenian motifs with Soviet symbolism. Read More The largest Russian church in Armenia Discover the Church of Saint Arsenius in Gyumri, Armenia's largest Russian church. Built in the 1870s, this historic landmark, now an abandoned church in ruins, boasts a unique design and continues to attract visitors from around the world. Read More Exploring a Giant Thread Factory Discover the history and nostalgia of a giant Soviet-era thread factory, where original machinery and rare Armenian safety posters remain intact. Experience the thrill of seeing the machines in action and explore parts of the factory that have been modernized in recent years. Read More A Visit to the Northern Bus Station The Northern Bus Station, located on the outskirts of Yerevan towards Abovyan, is a masterpiece of regional modernism designed by Armen Aghalyan and Vardan Avetisyan. Despite its damaged roof and half-empty state, this 1988 architectural gem continues to attract architecture and photography enthusiasts. Discover its unique blend of historical and modern design. Read More Another Abandoned Plane in Armenia Since my earlier post about the abandoned plane located in Ashtarak generated significant interest, with many using my article as a guide to visit that location, here's another post dedicated to an abandoned plane. This time, we are heading to the shore of Tsovinar Lake to see an abandoned Tu-134 plane. Read More The Iron Fountain in Gyumri Despite being abandoned and surrounded by scattered garbage, this rusty iron fountain in Gyumri continues to attract visitors from around the world. Why? The answer is simple: its creator was a visionary architect whose works looked futuristic for their time and still hold a remarkable allure, even in decay. This unique fountain, with its otherworldly design, captivates everyone who sees it — and it’s the kind of sight that easily goes viral online. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Carpet Factory This giant carpet factory, once bustling with thousands of workers and boasting a capacity to produce 1 million cubic meters of carpet annually, now stands desolate, serving as a solemn reminder of its once illustrious past. The machinery is now being sold for scrap, casting a shadow over its former glory. Read More The abandoned Children's Railway in Yerevan Explore the historic Yerevan Children's Railway nestled in the picturesque Hrazdan gorge. Established in 1937, this 2.1 km railway features iconic stations like "Motherland" and "Pioneer." Discover its rich history, from its inception to present-day plans for renovation and revitalization. Experience a piece of Armenia's railway heritage. Read More We saw a huge fresco inside this culture house While on an urbex mission in the Aragatsotn region, Armenia, we visited this village to see their culture house! It didn’t disappoint, as inside, we saw a huge fresco! Read More This abandoned factory once produced electrical components Within the ruins of this Soviet factory lie hidden artworks, which you will discover in this article as we embark on an exploration! Read More World War II Memorials In Armenia Explore Armenia's World War II memorials, honoring the bravery of its people. These monuments serve as poignant reminders of sacrifice and valor, standing as a testament to their bravery and unwavering dedication to their country. Read More Exploring an abandoned sanatorium During this urbex tour, I'm exploring a 14-story building, once a bustling sanatorium during Soviet times. Today, it stands abandoned, stripped of windows and doors. Only a handful of artworks adorn the walls, serving as poignant reminders of its former glory. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Sanatorium Built by German Prisoners of War This abandoned sanatorium in Armenia is one of several buildings constructed by German prisoners of war. It not only has a fascinating history but also striking architecture that draws urban explorers from around the world. Let’s take a look inside this remarkable place — despite being looted, it has preserved surprisingly much and left a strong impression on me. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Glass Factory We received information from a local stalker that there is a fascinating fresco inside this abandoned glass factory! The time has come for exploration... Read More How to Urbex – A Beginner’s Guide Are you someone who has seen photos or videos of abandoned buildings on the internet and wishes to witness them firsthand? Then welcome to the urbex community! This article can serve as a useful guide to those who want to start urbexing! Here we jump over the wall. Read More 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. Read More Exploring an abandoned clock factory Explore the rich history of the Yerevan Clock Factory, founded in 1943. From stylish alarm clocks to commemorative timepieces, discover the legacy of innovation. Read More Exploring an Abandoned Thermal Power Plant Once again, I find myself on an urbex mission. This article serves as a brief reflection on my exploration of the abandoned thermal power plant. It marked my inaugural experience inside such a structure, leaving me profoundly impressed. Read More A Soviet sports complex frozen in time Explore the intriguing story of a sports complex frozen in time, constructed over a decade from 1975 to 1986 with the ambition of becoming the largest sports structure in the region. Read More A Soviet Culture House in High Modernist Style This cultural house in Armenia serves as a portal to the Soviet past, unveiling a rich architectural and cultural heritage. Remaining unrenovated, it has retained its original appearance, becoming a unique relic from the past that attracts urban explorers worldwide. Read More Aragil Restaurant in Victory Park "Aragil" is an abandoned building in Victory Park, Yerevan, not far from the "Mother Armenia" monument. Since it sits atop a high hill, it offers a picturesque view of Yerevan. Unsurprisingly, it draws urban explorers, and some budget travelers even pitch tents to spend the night! Read More Exploring the Gagarin Statue and Nearby Abandoned Factories After exploring the Gagarin statue in Gagarin village and the local culture house (strangely inside I found no artworks), we delved into nearby abandoned factories. Experience our journey through photos, with a focus on Soviet warning posters that provide a captivating glimpse into the historical context of these industrial spaces. Read More Exploring an abandoned Soviet culture house This abandoned Soviet Culture House in Armenia, with its crumbling facade, ghostly interiors and magnificent frescoes serves as a poignant reminder of a chapter in history that has shaped the collective memory of our nation. Today, this site is featured as a key destination in my urban explorer tours in Armenia. Read More A stunning culture house in Armenia The time has come! I am now making a visit to one of the most stunning cultural houses in Armenia! This building, built in Soviet times, is an architectural masterpiece and can leave a lasting impression on urban explorers! Read More Inside Abandoned House During an urbex exploration in the Ararat region of Armenia, we spotted this intriguing house in the distance and couldn't resist the urge to explore its mysteries! Read More Exploring an Abandoned Hotel This abandoned hotel hides one of the most amazing mosaics one can see in Armenia! A paradise for art lovers and urbex photographers! Read More Abandoned Village Old Khot - Armenian Machu Picchu Old Khot, also known as Hin Khot, is often referred to as the Armenian Machu Picchu due to its resemblance to the Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru. Discover this mysterious ghost village hiking along Vorotan Gorge. Read More ROT54 or the Herouni Mirror Radio Telescope In Armenia’s Orgov village, at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level, stands the iconic ROT54—an engineering marvel designed by Paris Herouni that leaves a lasting impression on every visitor. Its giant scale surprises everyone, offering views toward Tegher Monastery and the biblical Mount Ararat. The control rooms feel like scenes from a Stanley Kubrick film, while the nearby Arev solar thermal power station—built during Armenia’s 1990s energy crisis—adds even more mystery to the place. This site is a must-visit for anyone interested in the scientific history of the Soviet Union. Now abandoned, it remains a striking testament to Armenia’s Soviet-era scientific legacy and a highlight of my urban explorer tours. Read More A Soviet Culture House Frozen in Time A visit to this culture house promises a journey into the Soviet past, revealing the charm of old movie projectors, vintage posters, a captivating fresco, and exquisite stage curtains! Join my guided tours for unforgettable impressions. Read More Inside the Abandoned Culture House of Physics Institute This abandoned culture house amazed me with the posters I saw inside! So far, I have explored many abandoned buildings, but this one was really good! Take a look at Soviet posters and more that we found! Read More Exploring an abandoned shoe factory in Armenia While on an exploration mission in the Syunik region with G. Mattu, we decided to explore this shoe factory as well. It had a guard, probably living nearby, whom we managed to convince to let us in, and he kindly showed us around. Read More Exploring an abandoned school in Armenia A true time capsule, this school, built in 1901 with the support of Gaspar Ter-Margaryan, has left an indelible mark. Unlike many abandoned buildings in Armenia, this architectural marvel remains untouched, thanks to the efforts of the locals who have preserved its rich history. Despite the school's closure in 2010, its cultural significance lives on, with hopes for restoration to transform it into a museum. Read More Exploring An Abandoned Factory In Armenia While exploring abandoned buildings in Armenia, we entered this factory where we saw a fresco of Lenin, many rusty buses, and picturesque posters on 'Civil Defense' and 'Road Safety Rules'! Urbexing in Armenia can reveal lots of interesting stuff about the country's rich industrial history! Read More Deep in the Woods We Discovered This Soviet Pioneer Camp Few urban explorers visit this abandoned place in Armenia! We stepped in to explore and found out that not much is left! Only bare walls and a few paintings... Read More Armenian Statue "Arshaluys" In Vogue Magazine This is a story of one Armenian statue on the Yerevan-Sevan highway, and how it found fame through a Vogue photoshoot with model Jerry Hall. Read More Discover a Soviet Time Culture House in Armenia This abandoned Soviet-Armenian culture house offers a thrilling architectural design which urban explorers will definitely appreciate! Read More Abandoned Yak-40 Plane in Armenia Discover Armenia's aviation history as we tour the Yak-40 aircraft, once a part of Armenian Airlines, now resting in Ashtarak city. Explore and take awesome pics in there... Read More I Explored the Abandoned Soviet Pioneer Camp “Fairy-Tale” This abandoned pioneer camp in Armenia is among the best-preserved I’ve ever seen. As you wander through its grounds, now overgrown with trees and vegetation, you’ll come across striking relics of the past — from grand mosaics to statues of iconic figures like Buratino and Medz Mher. The true centerpiece, however, is the swimming pool — remarkably intact and decorated with mesmerizing Soviet-era mosaics. Join me on this urbex journey as we step into the forgotten world of Armenia’s Soviet past. Read More Discovered an abandoned Soviet-era culture house in Armenia This abandoned culture house in Bjni has some of the most amazing frescoes I ever saw. Read More A rare Soviet poster I discovered in Yerevan This is one of the largest Soviet posters that has made its way into modern days! A wanted gem for urban explorers... Read More An abandoned culture house in Armenia with wonderful frescoes This is a culture house from Soviet period which every urban explorer should see! A great relic for those who want to explore the "abandoned side of Armenia" and love artworks! Read More A visit to Alaverdi train station The historic Alaverdi train station stands out not only for its unique architectural design but also for the remarkable frescoes painted in the 1960s by Rudolf Khachatryan. These artworks have become a cultural attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. Today, the station is also a fascinating site for urban exploration and a prime spot for urbex photography. Read More Sevan Writers’ Rest House - Soviet Modernist Architecture in Armenia Perched on the shores of Lake Sevan, on the Sevan Peninsula, the Sevan Writers’ Rest House is a striking example of Soviet modernist architecture. Built during a wave of cultural and architectural innovation in the USSR, it still draws curious travelers from around the world. While exploring the Sevan Peninsula, stop by for a coffee, admire the bold design of the iconic Lounge Building, and take in the sweeping views over the lake. Read More Exploring an abandoned chemical factory in Armenia This abandoned Soviet-era factory in Armenia had a lot to offer! Two notable things we discovered during this urbex tour were a unique fresco and a 'Lenin, Engels, Marx' mosaic. Read More An urbex tour to an abandoned pioneer camp Few urban explorers have visited this Godforsaken place, we were lucky to find it. An abandoned pioneer camp perched deep in the woods made a huge impression... Today, it is one of the destinations included in my urban explorer tours. Read More

Gleb Leontievich Travin (1902-1979) was a Soviet traveler who, between 1928 and 1931, undertook an extraordinary journey cycling around the perimeter of the Soviet Union, including the Arctic coast. Covering over 85,000 kilometers, this epic adventure was accomplished in an era when bicycles were far less comfortable and reliable than they are today. < Back Gleb Travin - The Badass Cyclist Who Crossed 85,000 km In 3 Years Gleb Leontievich Travin (1902-1979) was a Soviet traveler who, between 1928 and 1931, undertook an extraordinary journey cycling around the perimeter of the Soviet Union, including the Arctic coast. Covering over 85,000 kilometers, this epic adventure was accomplished in an era when bicycles were far less comfortable and reliable than they are today. Born on April 28, 1902, in the village of Kasievo, Pskov uyezd, Gleb Travin acquired vital survival skills from his father, a forester. Travin's interest in extended bicycle journeys started in 1923 when he met Dutch cyclist Adolf de Groot in Pskov. De Groot had recently finished a bicycle race across Europe. Motivated by this encounter, Travin conceived a more ambitious undertaking — circumnavigating the globe by bicycle. Gleb Travin's route map In 1925 Travin joined the army. He served in the Leningrad region not far from his native places. A competent and physically developed guy quickly became an excellent student in military training and a platoon commander. And during demobilization, his adventurous spirit came into play - those who served in the army had the right to free travel to their place of residence, which Travin took advantage of. In Pskov, he was registered on Petropavlovskaya Street, and by simple manipulation of the not very competent army bureaucracy, the street turned into a city - the capital of distant Kamchatka. It was Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the alluring Far East that seemed to young Gleb Travin as an excellent place to start a cycling trip. In Petropavlovsk at that time there were less than three hundred houses, and Travin quickly found his place among the builders of the first power plant in Kamchatka - literate people with skilled hands were then in short supply. In his free time, he trained on the Leitner army folding bicycle, manufactured in Riga at the Alexander Leitner factory. The power plant was operational by the spring of 1928, and with the bonus for his hard work, Travin bought a new Japanese bicycle - in Kamchatka during the NEP, imported goods from Japan and America were almost freely traded. Gleb Travin and his bicycle During this time, Travin began planning his bike trip. He selected ideology as the driving force behind his journey, aiming to promote physical culture and secure permission to travel globally. Recognizing that the Soviet authorities would likely deny him the opportunity to venture outside the country and circumnavigate the world, he devised and obtained approval for a route along the borders of the USSR. For his bicycle trip, Travin received from the Kamchatka City Executive Committee an American road bicycle Princeton model 404 red in color with white arrows on the frame (this bicycle was specially brought to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky for Travin). For the trip, he (at his own expense) purchased a Japanese Kodak camera (the camera he ordered was delivered the same ferry). In addition to a bicycle and a camera, his luggage included a registration book, clothes (including winter clothes), medicines and tools. As food for the journey, he took seven pounds of pressed biscuits and a kilogram of chocolate. He also took a small amount of money. Travin did not forget such a characteristic detail as a supply of business cards. "Tourist Around the World" cards were handed out at stops and overnight stays. The fully loaded bicycle weighed 80 kg, the same weight as the athlete. An article about Gleb Travin in Soviet geographic magazine "Around the World" Travin’s planned daily routine during the trip: 10 hours in the saddle, minimum daily riding time is 8 hours; Eating twice a day - at six o'clock in the morning and at six o'clock in the evening; Sleep in the open air. On the cyclist’s sleeve there was a green Dynamo armband with the inscription that amazed everyone he met: “Bicycle traveler Gleb Travin.” Having started the journey, Travin made a vow not to cut his hair until he completed it. He put a patent leather strap on his head. During the trip, Travin kept a diary, which in the 1930s was destroyed by his relatives along with the original photographs for fear that they would be repressed following Travin's biographer Vivian Itin. On October 10, 1928, Gleb Travin left Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with a bicycle and went to Vladivostok by ship. The bike ride started from the capital of Primorye on October 23. From there he rode the bicycle along the Trans-Siberian Railway through Khabarovsk to Lake Baikal. Travin crossed Lake Baikal on the ice on the advice of the lighthouse keeper. Later, he also crossed rivers and lakes on ice. Gleb Travin Along the Trans-Siberian Railway, Travin reached Novosibirsk, from which he turned south, to the Cossack Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, then to the Central Asian republics of the USSR - the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, including the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, then to the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic. In May 1929, the traveler reached Dushanbe, where the editorial office of the local newspaper, at his request, translated the inscription “Bicycle Traveler Gleb Travin” into Tajik for his armband. Since the word “bicycle” was absent in Tajik, as a result the inscription in Tajik had the meaning “traveler on a shaitan-arb”, that is, literally, “traveler on a damn cart”. Travin traveled from Central Asia to the Caucasus via the Caspian Sea by ferry. From the Caucasus in the summer of 1929, Travin traveled through the European part of the country and in November 1929 reached Murmansk, from where his winter Arctic part of the journey began along the coast of the Arctic Ocean, during which he traveled most of the way on ice. Gleb Travin during his travels In one of the polar northern villages, Travin got hold of a fur jumpsuit, which allowed him to sleep comfortably in the snow, buried in a snowdrift. The hunters taught the traveler how to catch seals, walruses, polar bears, arctic foxes and deer. He taught himself to fish using a bicycle spoke in cracks in the ice. As a result, the main components of Travin’s diet in the North were raw meat and raw fish - fresh and frozen (stroganina). In the area of Dolgiy Island, a serious problem occurred with Travin. Waking up after another night in the snow, he discovered that his boots and overalls were frozen in the ice, into which the snow that protected him from frost had turned overnight - at night, near him, the ice cracked and sea water came out of the crack. With the help of a knife, the traveler was able to get out, but at the same time severely damaged his clothes and shoes. Then he had to travel with his legs exposed to the frost and in torn overalls. The traveler came across a deer trail and, already frostbitten, reached the dwelling (plague) of Nenets reindeer herders, his journey in torn clothes and shoes took about a day, Travin overcame the last part of the journey to the camp crawling due to his legs giving out. Gleb Travin's registration book After undressing and warming up, Travin discovered signs of fatal damage to his toes. To prevent gangrene, he decided to partially amputate them, cutting off the dead skin as if removing a sock. This led the women who witnessed the act to believe he was a cannibal spirit named Keli. Following this incident, Travin earned the nickname "the devil on the iron deer" from the northern inhabitants, as the bend of the steering wheel reminded them of deer antlers. This nickname later inspired a book title. In the 1960s, Alexander Kharitonovsky published a book about Travin titled "The Man with the Iron Deer: The Tale of a Forgotten Feat," which underwent several reprints. After this, with his legs still not healed, Travin got on the icebreaker “Lenin” of the Kara Marine Expedition, where he communicated with its leader, Professor N.I. Evgenov, a hydrographer. The professor doubted the possibility of reaching Chukotka alone on a bicycle and was surprised by the traveler’s assurances about the convenience of riding on ice. On the day of Travin’s departure from the Kara expedition, pilot Chukhnovsky took his photograph, which has survived to this day. Before the Taimyr peninsula, Travin fell through the ice, got out and spent a long time drying his soaking wet clothes - first he tried to dry them in the cold in the wind (while burying himself in a snowdrift), then he got dressed and dried them on himself, actively moving. During this run, he found a pile of deer carcasses dumped by local hunters, climbed into it and slept well, having the opportunity to rest in the warmth. Gleb Travin's bicycle on display in Pskov State Museum-Reserve On the Pyasina River, Travin again fell through the ice and almost died. After this, on the way to Chukotka, Travin came across a mammoth cemetery and took with him one tusk, which he managed to pull out of the frozen soil. In the small town of Russkoe Ustye on Indigirka, Travin worked as a geography teacher. At the end of the journey, Travin reached Chukotka. One of the Chukchi craftsmen made plates from mammoth ivory and on one of them carved a seal, a walrus, a whale and the inscription “Bicycle traveler Gleb Travin”. In July 1931, Travin reached Cape Dezhnev, where he again tried to obtain permission to leave the USSR for the purpose of traveling around the world along the route: the western coast of North and South America, Tierra del Fuego, the African coast, the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula, India, China, Tibet, Mongolia , USSR. Having received a refusal and an offer to board a ship to Kamchatka, he sailed to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where he finally completed his journey. Gleb Travin doesn't look like a man from the 1930s! Could he have been a time traveler? After the trip to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Travin was presented with a GTO badge and a pennant with a memorable inscription: “Kamchatka Regional Council of Physical Education to an active striker of the physical education movement of Kamchatka”. Many publications, starting with newspaper notes published during Travin’s travels, indicate unrealistically large distances traveled by him, which do not correspond to the route entries in the traveler’s registration book. Thus, in the book “The Man with the Iron Deer,” Kharitanovsky indicated the length of the route as 85 thousand kilometers, which contradicts the entries in the route book (exceeds the route indicated in it). Moreover, in a note published on October 13, 1929, the newspaper “Pskov Alarm” reported that 80 thousand kilometers had already been covered then, despite the fact that this was only a third of the route planned by Travin. In that publication, the distance traveled was clearly overestimated. According to realistic estimates, the length of the longest (northern) part of the route, that is, the route along the Arctic Circle, is estimated at 10-13 thousand kilometers. Gleb Travin's knife According to the entries in Travin’s record book, stored in the Pskov State Museum-Reserve, he covered five sections of the route by ship: from October 10 to October 23, 1928, the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky - Vladivostok section, 2600 km long; from July 26 to July 28, 1929: Krasnovodsk - Baku - 280 km; from August 22 to August 26, 1929: Rostov-on-Don - Yalta - 580 km; from August 20 to September 11, 1930: Vaygach Island - Dikson Island - 850 km; from September 30 to October 17, 1931: Gulf of Lawrence - Ust-Kamchatsk - 1900 km. Section of the route covered with dogs: In Russian Ustye, where Travin appeared in January 1931 and stayed for more than two months, residents presented the traveler with sleds with dogs and persuaded him to continue his journey on a dog sled. According to eyewitnesses, Travin was seen riding a bicycle on a sled pulled by dogs, traveling from Russky Ustye through Krestovsky Island and Chetyrekhstolbovoy Island, where Yakuts also saw him. They reported that the traveler continued towards Chukotka, specifically Shelagsky Cape. However, after Chetyrekh Stolbovoy, there is no evidence that he utilized dog sleds. After completing his extensive journey, Travin settled in Kamchatka, where he trained cyclists, motorcyclists, and motorists. During the Great Patriotic War, he served as a teacher of military affairs at the Kamchatka Marine and Fishery Technical School. Only in 1962 Travin returned to Pskov. Gleb Travin's compass A quarter of a century after Travin’s polar “bike trip”, journalist Alexander Kharitanovsky ended up in Chukotka. Quite by chance, from local residents, he heard a story about a strange cyclist that struck him. Bicycle in Chukotka?! The journalist didn’t believe it, but decided to figure out the origin of such an amazing “anecdote.” The notes and brochures of the 1930s were long forgotten; no one remembered the name of Gleb Travin. However, Kharitanovsky conducted a real journalistic investigation, looked up archives, found eyewitnesses - to his amazement, he discovered an extraordinary and completely forgotten feat. It was the end of the 50s, the era had changed dramatically. The forgotten hero turned out to be completely in the style of the new time - in those years, the heyday of camping and tourist romance began in the USSR. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, journalist Kharitanovsky found a modest teacher at the nautical school - Gleb Travin himself. And the former “tourist on a bicycle around the world” took out for the guest a “passport-recorder” carefully hidden since the late 30s, documentary evidence of a unique trip. Thus was born the story “The Man with the Iron Deer” - a romanticized, slightly embellished, but sincere story about the life and exploits of a unique cyclist. The story has gone through many editions in the country and abroad. Even in France a brochure based on it appeared. Unfortunately, his dream never came true, as the Soviet authorities didn't grant him permission to embark on a bicycle journey around the globe. In 1969, Travin and Kamchatka journalist N. Ilyushev flew by plane along part of Travin’s travel route from Arkhangelsk to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with stops in Anderma, Tiksi, Chersky and Pevek. The registry book was stamped on its pages with the seals of all the authorities and postal stations he passed by Among lovers of tourism and cycling, the name of Gleb Travin literally thundered. He immediately turned into a living legend, a true idol with an unsurpassed achievement. Dozens of cycling clubs “named after Travin” appeared throughout the USSR. And in East Germany, after the German translation of the book “The Man with the Iron Deer,” several cycling clubs named after him arose. The last years of life Travin spent time in Pskov, where he organized a home museum and introduced everyone to the materials of his travels. The words from his registration notebook remain relevant: “I survive because I don’t fight against nature, but try to live according to its laws.” Today a separate exhibition about him is featured in the local history museum of his native Pskov, showcasing his bicycle, registry book, and other items. Gleb Travin died on October 19, 1979 in Pskov. 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This article explores Soviet-era bus stops in Armenia—structures that have miraculously survived into modern times, though many are damaged, neglected, and largely forgotten by locals. Today, cars rush past at high speed, and passengers barely notice these roadside sculptures. Only a handful of travelers who truly appreciate Soviet architecture stop to photograph them, leaving curious onlookers to wonder—“Why are they taking pictures? Spies, perhaps?”. These bus stops are silent witnesses of the era, built for the most monotonous task imaginable: waiting for a bus. Yet their designs are anything but boring, reflecting the bold creativity of the Soviet Union. < Back Soviet Bus Stops in Armenia This article explores Soviet-era bus stops in Armenia—structures that have miraculously survived into modern times, though many are damaged, neglected, and largely forgotten by locals. Today, cars rush past at high speed, and passengers barely notice these roadside sculptures. Only a handful of travelers who truly appreciate Soviet architecture stop to photograph them, leaving curious onlookers to wonder—“Why are they taking pictures? Spies, perhaps?”. These bus stops are silent witnesses of the era, built for the most monotonous task imaginable: waiting for a bus. Yet their designs are anything but boring, reflecting the bold creativity of the Soviet Union. Earlier, I wrote about the iconic Chayka monument and the story of how, during his 1961 visit, Nikita Khrushchev was shown this monument and became angry, referring to Resolution No. 1871, which harshly criticized prevailing architectural practices and accused designers of wastefulness and an obsession with decorative forms at the expense of function and economy. In this article, dedicated to Soviet bus stops in Armenia, I want to refer back to that episode and ask how, after this incident, architects and designers across the entire Soviet Union continued creating bus stops that can hardly be called humble or practical, but instead were extravagant, eye-catching, and striking. The "Chayka" monument today On 4 November 1955, the Soviet government issued Resolution No. 1871, officially titled “On the Elimination of Excesses in Design and Construction” (Об устранении излишеств в проектировании и строительстве). The decree was officially issued and signed by Nikita S. Khrushchev, Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU, and Nikolai A. Bulganin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. A sketch of a bus stop by Armenian architect Rafael Israelyan. Renowned for incorporating the eagle symbol into many of his architectural works, Israelyan found a place for it even here — proudly positioned at the very top of the structure. Just imagine this concept brought to life — a small roadside stop turned into a striking piece of symbolic architecture. This landmark document marked a sharp break with Stalin-era monumental architecture, calling for a focus on functionality over form. The most famous result of this decree was the Khrushchyovka—the ubiquitous four- and five-story gray apartment blocks seen across Eastern Europe today. Millions of families received their own private apartments with indoor plumbing and kitchens for the first time. Since bus stops were considered Minor Architectural Forms (малые архитектурные формы), they fell into a regulatory loophole. According to Soviet architectural handbooks (such as Svidersky’s Small Architectural Forms , 1953), MAFs were divided into two categories: Utilitarian: benches, trash cans, street lamps, and bus pavilions (автобусные павильоны) Decorative: sculptures, fountains, and flower vases Because bus stops were classified as “pavilions” rather than “buildings,” they were governed by less stringent aesthetic regulations. While a five-story apartment block had to be approved by central housing authorities to ensure that no money was “wasted” on decoration, a bus stop was often handled by the Ministry of Transport or regional road departments. Methodological Recommendations for the Design of Bus Stops. Moscow, 1975 Moreover, most Soviet-era bus stops we see today were built during Leonid Brezhnev’s reign (1964–1982). It was during this period that government-issued design handbooks were released—the first in 1975, followed by another in 1988. Clause 3.18 from Methodological Recommendations for the Design of Bus Stops (Moscow, 1975) states the following: When designing bus stops, special attention should be given to contemporary architectural solutions that reflect the climatic, local, and national characteristics of the area. Bus stops should serve as the compositional focal point of the road’s architectural ensemble. The planning layout of the bus stop, pavilion structures, exterior finishes of stop elements, minor architectural forms, landscaping, and lighting should be compositionally integrated with the surrounding environment. The walls of enclosed and semi-enclosed pavilions should preferably be made of transparent materials on the side facing the approaching bus and the roadway, to ensure good visibility. Bright coloring of pavilion details, the construction of boarding platforms, sidewalks, and pedestrian paths using slabs and materials of varying size, shape, and color, as well as minor architectural forms reflecting national and local character—all of these should be employed in the artistic design of bus stop areas. This is a truly unique bus stop. It not only functions as a bus stop but also conceals an underground passage beneath it Ursula Schulz-Dornburg and the enduring photographs she created The first foreigner to pay serious attention to Soviet-era bus stops in Armenia after the collapse of the Soviet Union was that Düsseldorf-based Ursula Schulz-Dornburg. Her photography project, widely known as “Transit Sites, Armenia” or “Bus Stops in Armenia,” produced between 1997 and 2004, possesses an enigmatic power that far exceeds its time and place of origin. The Museum Ludwig in Cologne has since acquired this series. A Soviet-era bus stop in Armenia, photo by Ursula Schulz-Dornburg Here is an excerpt from her interview. “I was on a trip that was actually supposed to take me to all the ancient monasteries and convents in Armenia, from north to south and east to west. Then, to my complete astonishment, I saw one of these bus stops in the middle of nowhere. With the woman waiting there, it looked exactly like a Visconti movie. This became my most reproduced motif. The strange, oversized canopy echoes the traditional shape of Armenian church roofs. In the Soviet era, it was not possible to build new churches, so perhaps this form was an ironic response to Soviet restrictions.” Christopher Herwig: The Hunter of Soviet Bus Stops While Ursula Schulz-Dornburg was the first to view these structures through a “metaphysical” and almost spiritual lens in the late 1990s, Christopher Herwig is the one who transformed Soviet bus stops into a global phenomenon. His journeys across the Soviet Union, including Armenia, were extensive, resulting in two books that document the bus stop explorations he dedicated around 15 years to. A bus stop in Vanadzor, year 2016, photo by Cristopher Herwig Today, these books serve as records of a bygone era, living witnesses of the past, especially considering that some of the bus stops have already been destroyed. Christopher Herwig (2002–2017) Soviet Bus Stops (2015) Soviet Bus Stops: Volume II (2017) My Quest The documentary Soviet Bus Stops (2022), dedicated to Christopher Herwig’s quest to document Soviet bus stops, ends with the following quote by Osip Mandelstam:“ My turn shall also come; I sense the spreading of a wing .” Only three or four bus stops in Armenia still feature mosaics. This is one of them. As a local urbexer familiar with Armenia, I’ve taken on the task of documenting all the Soviet bus stops in my country. What may seem like an easy job is actually quite challenging. Hundreds of kilometers must be traveled to reach them, and people waiting for a bus aren’t always eager to appear in photos. The sun may be in the wrong position, or a poorly parked car can ruin the shot. Then comes the painstaking selection process—dozens of photos must be taken just to find one that satisfies me. In my case, I’m rarely satisfied, often returning multiple times to capture the perfect image. I’m always asking myself whether a person should appear in the image—a question I still don’t have a clear answer to. Then I try it both ways. Sometimes, to emphasize the size of a monument or a bus stop, it’s helpful to include a person standing nearby. The bus stops that survive in Armenia today were built from concrete or metal, sometimes incorporating wooden elements such as cladding or benches. While much of the USSR relied on poured concrete, Armenia in some cases used its local volcanic stone—tuff. My quest continues, and this year I plan to finally document all the bus stops in Armenia. As Osip Mandelstam said: “ My turn shall also come; I sense the spreading of a wing .” 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 . Project Gallery You May Also Like The Forgotten 50 cm Cassegrain Telescope of Byurakan Observatory Destroyed Soviet Mosaics and Frescoes in Armenia Inside the Eerie Corridors of an Abandoned Russian Fortress Soviet Bus Stops in Armenia Urbex Tours in Armenia – Photo Gallery The 53 cm Schmidt Telescope at Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Exploring an Abandoned Rest House with Impressive Bas-Reliefs A Spaceship on Earth: The Soviet-Armenian Echo of the Futuro House Previous Next

Explore the bold and functional world of Soviet Brutalist architecture. Discover iconic structures like the “Druzhba” Sanatorium in Yalta and the Ministry of Highway Construction in Tbilisi. Learn about the architects behind these monumental designs and the historical context that shaped this unique architectural style. < Back Brutalist Architecture in the Soviet Union Explore the bold and functional world of Soviet Brutalist architecture. Discover iconic structures like the “Druzhba” Sanatorium in Yalta and the Ministry of Highway Construction in Tbilisi. Learn about the architects behind these monumental designs and the historical context that shaped this unique architectural style. Brutalist architecture is a style that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by its stark, geometric designs and the use of raw concrete. The term “Brutalism” comes from the French word “béton brut,” meaning raw concrete, which was a primary material used in this architectural style. The plasticity of concrete, its "sculptural" possibilities were hardly the main element of the artistic language of neo-brutalist architects. Brutalism is known for its massive, monolithic structures and a focus on functionality over form. Origins and Key Figures Brutalism began in the United Kingdom in the 1950s, with architects like Alison and Peter Smithson leading the movement. They were inspired by the works of Le Corbusier, particularly his use of raw concrete and modular design. The style quickly spread across Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and in the 1970s and 1980s also in the USSR. Brutalism in the Soviet Union In the Soviet Union, Brutalism took on a unique character, influenced by the region’s political, social, and economic conditions. Soviet architects embraced Brutalism for its cost-effectiveness and the ability to create large-scale housing and public buildings quickly. The style became prominent in the 1970s and 1980s, with many iconic structures still standing today. The architectural style is characterized by: Functionality First: The primary focus is on the practical use of the building, ensuring it serves its intended purpose efficiently. Exposed Materials: Brutalist buildings often feature raw concrete, steel, and glass, leaving these materials exposed rather than covering them with decorative elements. Simple, Geometric Forms: The aesthetic is dominated by straightforward, geometric shapes that emphasize the building’s structure and function. Monumental Scale: Many Brutalist structures are large and imposing, reflecting the power and permanence of the institutions they house. Famous Examples of Soviet Brutalist Architecture Druzhba Sanatorium Druzhba Sanatorium, (Yalta, 1985). Пансионат "Дружба" (Ялта, 1985) The “Druzhba” Sanatorium in Yalta is a striking example of Soviet Brutalism. Built by 1985 under the leadership of a team of architects from the Kurortproekt Institute under the leadership of I. A. Vasilevsky., this building resembles a UFO with its circular structure and elevated position. In 1980, the leaders of the trade unions of the USSR and Czechoslovakia decided to jointly build the Druzhba boarding house in Crimea for workers of the two countries. A difficult site with a 40-degree slope between the road and the unique Golden Beach was allocated for the construction of the boarding house. The construction site had a crack in the earth's crust, experienced landslides, and was characterized by a seismicity rating of 9 points. A special building project was developed by the design team of "Kurortproekt" in 1978-1980, including architects I. A. Vasilevsky, Y. Stefanchuk, V. Divnov, L. Kesler, and engineers N. V. Kancheli, B. Guryevich, E. Vladimirov, E. Ruzyakov, E. Kim, V. Maltz, V. Hansgorye, and E. Fedorov. They proposed a stable structure on three tower supports, which transferred the load from the building to the rock. The centerpiece of the composition is a glass atrium shaped like a crystal. Public spaces are located on different levels. The base is formed by a swimming pool bowl suspended from the building's three supports. In the center, there is a light and music fountain. Frequent stained glass windows around the fountain create the illusion of a moving water space. At night, this effect is enhanced by the illumination of three crystal chandeliers, turning the atrium into a glowing crystal. On the central terrace of the atrium there is a plastic composition “Awakening”, made of ceramics. (Artist R. Tsuzmer, architect R. Tevosyan). Hotel rooms are located behind the outer ring of the building and face the sea. Between the rooms and the atrium are open light wells. The supports are encircled by a glass corridor-gallery, which widens conically upward through the floors. This area houses a cafe, billiard room, and gym. The building is crowned by a three-part cantilevered restaurant. The roof of the fifth floor is at the level of the driveway and the main entrance to the resort. The roof features an observation deck with a panoramic view at a height of 56 meters above sea level. The building’s supports contain three high-speed elevators that transport guests to the residential floors and the seashore. Thanks to the architectural design of the building, the natural slope and existing vegetation remained unchanged. Additionally, for the first time on the entire site, heating and hot water were provided using thermal energy from the sea. Ship-house" on Bolshoi Tula Street "Ship-house" on Bolshoi Tula Street (Moscow, 1973-1986). "Дом-корабль" на Большой Тульской улице (Москва, 1973–1986) The “Ship-house” on Bolshaya Tulskaya Street in Moscow is another notable example. This residential complex, designed by architects Vladimir Davidovich Babad and Vsevolod Leonidovich Voskresensky, was constructed between 1972 and 1986. The Ship House is a 14-story residential building on Bolshaya Tulskaya Street in Moscow, known for its unusual shape and colossal size. It is also referred to as the "Titanic," "the house of nuclear engineers," "the bachelor's house," and the "horizontal skyscraper." The building is 400 meters long, 15 meters wide, and 50 meters tall. It has 14 floors, including two technical floors without windows. Additionally, it features duplex apartments on the 12th and 14th floors, and all floors, except the second and thirteenth, are residential. The building contains a total of 980 apartments. Residents began moving into one end of the building while the other end was still under construction. Due to the fact that V. Babad, previously worked exclusively on the construction of atomic reactors, he incorporated some of their features into this building. For example, the building has high seismic resistance, with facades and ends positioned at angles of 87° and 93° (instead of 90°) to each other to prevent folding. House of Aviators on Begovaya Street (Moscow, Russia) The Aviators’ House on Begovaya Street (also known as the “Centipede House,” “Octopus House,” or “House on Stilts”) is a unique 13-story brutalist residential complex with 299 apartments. Designed by architect Andrey Meerson and completed in 1978, it was originally intended as a hotel for the 1980 Summer Olympics but was later repurposed as housing for workers of the Znamya Truda aviation plant. The building’s defining architectural feature is its 40 massive reinforced concrete stilts, which elevate the first residential floor to the height of the fourth. This creates a striking visual effect of a “floating” structure, though in reality, the foundation and support system are made of solid reinforced concrete, ensuring the building’s stability. The structure consists of 13 residential floors and two technical levels—one beneath the stilts and another between the top floor and the roof. Measuring 130 meters in length, its façade is divided into three broad sections. The 40 reinforced concrete supports, arranged in 20 pairs, taper towards the ground so dramatically that they can be encircled by two people, enhancing the illusion of fragility. However, the building remains structurally sound, with the open space beneath the stilts commonly used as a parking area by residents. Ministry of Highway Construction of the Georgian SSR Ministry of Highway Construction of the Georgian SSR (Здание Министерства автомобильных дорог Грузинской ССР) The Ministry of Highway Construction building in the Georgian SSR, now acquired by the Bank of Georgia in 2007, is a striking example of Soviet Brutalist architecture. Located in Tbilisi, Georgia, this 18-story building was designed by architects George Chakhava and Zurab Jalaghania and completed in 1975. The engineer was Temur Tkhilava. Its unique design features interlocking concrete forms that resemble a stack of blocks, creating a visually dynamic and innovative structure. The building's location on a steep slope presented a unique challenge, which the architects ingeniously addressed by orienting three of the interlocking blocks on an east-west axis and the remaining two on a north-south axis. This configuration not only optimized the building's footprint but also created a dynamic interplay of volumes and shadows. The Ministry of Highway Construction building is a prime example of Soviet Brutalist architecture. Characterized by its raw concrete exterior, geometric forms, and emphasis on functionality, the building reflects the era's ideals of progress and social engineering. The structure's imposing scale and bold design solidified its status as a landmark in Tbilisi's skyline. Originally intended to house the Ministry of Highway Construction, the building reflects the Soviet Union’s emphasis on infrastructure development and modernization. The architects aimed to symbolize progress and modernity through the building’s bold design, which stands out against the backdrop of Tbilisi’s traditional architecture. In 2007, the building underwent a significant transformation when it was acquired by the Bank of Georgia. A comprehensive renovation project was undertaken to adapt the space to the bank's needs while preserving its architectural integrity. A new main entrance and underground lobby were added, creating a seamless transition between the historic structure and modern amenities. One of the most remarkable aspects of the building is its use of cantilevered sections, which create a sense of balance and harmony despite the massive concrete forms. This design not only maximizes the use of space but also allows for natural light to penetrate the interior, enhancing the building’s functionality. Celebrated for its bold aesthetic, the structure remains an iconic example of Soviet-era architectural ambition. Today, the former Ministry of Highway Construction remains an iconic landmark in Tbilisi, admired for its architectural innovation and historical significance. It serves as a testament to the creativity and ambition of Soviet-era architects, continuing to inspire and captivate visitors and architecture enthusiasts alike. “Amanaus” Hotel in Dombay The Abandoned “Amanaus” Hotel in Dombay (Заброшенная гостиница “Аманауз” в Домбае) The abandoned “Amanaus” Hotel in Dombay, built in 1985, is a haunting reminder of the Soviet Union’s ambitious architectural projects. At the foot of the Caucasus Mountains in the resort village of Dombay in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, one can still see this Soviet monolith. The futuristic structure, dating back to approximately the mid 1980s, resembles honeycombs that will never be inhabited. It was intended to be a resort accommodating 630 people. The actual construction probably began between 1980 and 1982. It is still mystery but the construction was abruptly halted in 1985, just a few months before completion. A glimpse inside reveals that only wallpapering and furnishing remained. Utilities were already installed, walls plastered, and some doors fitted. The sudden cessation of construction remains a mystery. Unfortunately, we have not yet found reliable information about the course of construction and its abrupt halt. It is likely that records or official decrees may be found in libraries, if not in press reports, and we plan to investigate this further. The creators of the hotel were most likely inspired by the architecture of French ski resorts. In resorts like Tignes, Val Thorens, La Plagne, or Le Corbier, cozy alpine chalets are interspersed with similar multi-story structures. And it cannot be said that these buildings look unattractive or out of place. Residential Complex "Aul" Residential Complex "Aul" (Almaty, Kazakhstan, 1983)Жилой комплекс “Аул” (Almaty, Kazakhstan, 1983) The unfinished "Aul" microdistrict on Tole Bi Street is an impressive experiment in urban development. The complex, consisting of four towers built in 1983, is just a part of a large-scale reconstruction project for the entire "Tastak" area along Tole Bi Street. The project was designed by architects B. Voronin, L. Andreyeva, V. Vi, M. Dzhaikipbayev, and E. Rykov. Originally, the plan was to construct 33 monolithic towers of varying heights, grouped together similarly to the existing structure at the intersection with Volkhovskaya Street. In addition to residential buildings, the plan included the creation of service enterprises, but this was hindered by the collapse of the country and its economy. The core structure of the towers is made of monolithic reinforced concrete, constructed using sliding formwork. The towers themselves are designed in a trefoil configuration, allowing the architects to arrange them in various compositions. Spaces were left between the buildings for walkways, but higher up, the buildings almost touch each other, forming arches. The main expressive feature is the numerous semicircular balconies that densely populate the building's facades. The corners of the solid walls also have a rounded shape. Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports In 1960 (or 1961, according to some sources), a competition was announced by the Institute of Urban Development Design for the creation of a sports hall in Vilnius, intended to expand the large sports complex adjacent to the Žalgiris Stadium. Three architectural teams participated in the competition. The second-place project, designed by Eduardas Chlomauskas, Jonas Kriukelis and Zigmantas Lendzbergis, was selected for construction due to its distinctive plastic silhouette. The Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports is a notable example of brutalist architecture. Completed in 1971, the building incorporates key brutalist elements such as exposed concrete, a utilitarian design, and sculptural, raw forms. The original engineering innovation of the building lies in its cable-stayed roof structures, designed by engineer Henrikas Karvelis. The façade and interior were finished with dolomite tiles, a material typical for that period. The foyer was decorated with wooden panels integrated into the walls, designed by artist R. Kavaliauskas. The northern wing of the building housed a café-bar adorned with mirrors and brown leatherette, designed by T. Baginskas. The palace's hall was designed for versatile use, featuring a transformable platform and a stage weighing 46 tons, which could be folded back against the hall’s rear wall. The seating capacity varied depending on the event: for hockey, the hall could accommodate 3,176 spectators; for basketball, 4,520; and for boxing, 5,400. If adapted for conferences or concerts, the maximum capacity could reach 6,000 people. The arena itself, primarily used for volleyball and basketball, had a seating capacity of 4,400. It is emblematic of Communist Modernism and remains one of the few surviving sports arenas in this architectural style. The exterior of the Sports Palace bears similarities to other contemporary structures, including the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna (1958), the Sports Palace in Minsk (1966), the Hala Olivia in Gdańsk, Poland, and the now-demolished Volgar Sports Palace in Tolyatti, Russia. However, it features an original roof design that sets it apart. Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, the palace was closed in 2004. The 15th Building of the Belarusian National Technical University The 15th Building of the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU), located in Minsk, is a striking example of Soviet brutalist architecture. The building is nicknamed "The Ship" due to its unusual shape, resembling the structure of an ocean liner. Construction of the 15th Building began in the 1970s, designed by the Minsk Architectural and Construction Institute (MASI), with the project authored by Igor Esman and Viktor Anikin. Although the full vision for MASI was not realized, the project was distinguished by its cohesive composition and scale, fitting the capital's architectural standards. The 15th academic building was opened in 1983, intended for the architecture and civil engineering faculties of the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute (now BNTU). Alongside the building, a teaching and laboratory block, dormitories, a canteen, and a sports and utility building were constructed. The reconstruction of the 15th Building began in June 2007. Until September 2008, landscaping work was carried out, including paving and facade improvements. However, due to insufficient funding, the reconstruction was halted. Today, the 15th Building of BNTU continues to serve as an educational and scientific center, reflecting the characteristics of Soviet architecture and the history of higher education development in Belarus. The Wedding Palace (Palace of Rituals) – Tbilisi, Georgia The Wedding Palace (also known as the Palace of Rituals) is an iconic example of Soviet-era brutalist architecture in Tbilisi, Georgia. Designed by architects Viktor Jorbenadze and Vazha Orbeladze, the building was constructed between 1980 and 1985 as a venue for wedding ceremonies. It is located at 21 Bochorma Street. One of the earliest high-profile ceremonies held at the palace was the 1987 wedding of singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli, attended by Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 1990, Ian Gillan, the frontman of Deep Purple, renewed his vows with his wife Brona there during a tour. Following Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union, the palace fell into disuse and remained abandoned for several years. In 2002, businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili purchased the property, converting it into a private residence and renaming it Arcadia Palace. After his death in 2008, he was buried in the palace garden, where a monument in his honor was erected in 2018. The Wedding Palace is often categorized as Brutalist architecture, yet it also blends elements of organic modernism. The use of raw concrete, geometric massing, and a fortress-like design aligns with Brutalism, while its fluid, temple-like form and dramatic silhouette reflect influences from expressionist and futuristic architecture, drawing parallels to the works of Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer. Often compared to religious architecture, its futuristic, cathedral-like aesthetic has led Frederic Chaubin, editor-in-chief of Citizen K magazine, to describe it as "a cathedral from another, illusory world." Today, the palace remains closed to the public, with the grounds privately owned. Vilnius Marriage Palace The Vilnius Marriage Palace, also known as the Palace of Weddings, is primarily considered an example of Brutalist architecture, though it incorporates elements of late Soviet modernism. It was designed by a visionary team of architects led by Gediminas Baravykas. This striking structure not only set a precedent for similar buildings in Lithuania but also influenced architectural designs in neighboring countries. Architect: G. Baravykas Builder: A. Katilius Interior Design: E. Gūzas Stained Glass: K. Šatūnas Year: 1974 The building's design is unified, with the same stylistic elements carried through both its interior and exterior. Notable for its dynamic spaces and sculptural forms, the Palace of Marriages integrates harmoniously with its natural surroundings. The signature staircase on the façade serves as a symbolic bridge, representing the union of people’s lives. The interior and exterior have remained largely unchanged, offering a rare opportunity to explore one of the most impressive examples of late 20th-century architecture. For many residents of Vilnius, the building holds a cherished place in their most treasured memories. Kokhi Borbad The Kokhi Borbad (Palace of Culture and Congresses) in Dushanbe is a remarkable example of Soviet brutalist architecture. Situated by the serene Komsomolskoye Lake, this imposing structure, resembling an alien spacecraft, was designed by architect Sergo Sutyagin. It houses the largest concert hall in Tajikistan, with a capacity of 2,300 seats.Its construction during the late Soviet period aligns with a phase where architects explored beyond traditional modernism, incorporating elements that could be classified as Brutalist, especially given its concrete construction and monumental scale. The building's massive concrete facade, adorned with bold geometric patterns and sweeping curves, sets it apart from other Soviet-era public buildings. Its imposing, almost otherworldly design reflects the ambition of Soviet architecture in Central Asia, seamlessly merging monumental scale with artistic vision. Inside, Kokhi Borbad boasts an expansive auditorium designed for optimal acoustics, enhanced by intricate interior decorations that fuse Soviet and Tajik artistic influences. The hall's grand stage has hosted an array of performances, from classical music concerts to state ceremonies, cementing its role as a central venue for cultural expression. Although it was constructed during the Soviet era, Kokhi Borbad continues to be a vital cultural center in modern Tajikistan, hosting concerts, festivals, and government events. Its futuristic design remains a powerful symbol of Soviet architectural ambition and cultural identity in the region. Chuvash State Opera and Ballet Theater The Chuvash State Opera and Ballet Theater, located in Cheboksary, Chuvashia, Russia, is a major cultural institution with deep historical roots. Designed by architects R. Begunts and V. Teneta, the current building was completed in 1986. While some classify its style as Soviet modernism, the dominant architectural influence is Brutalism. Today, it remains the largest theater company in the Volga region and a key pillar of Chuvashia’s cultural scene. The appearance of photos and videos of this unique building on social media attracts a lot of attention, striking with its bold and unconventional appearance. Bonus Building: Though not located within the former Soviet Union, this structure stands as a striking Soviet creation in Cuba. We’re talking about the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Havana—a formidable example of Soviet Brutalism abroad. Designed by Alexander Grigoryevich Rochegov and his wife Maria Alexandrovna Engelke, in collaboration with the design organization Mosproekt-1, this iconic building was constructed between 1978 and 1987 and remains one of the most imposing Soviet-era structures outside the USSR. The building was initially opened as the Soviet embassy during a time when Soviet influence in Cuba was at its peak. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it transitioned to its current status as the Russian Embassy. Its towering, angular form, resembling a sword planted into the ground, dominates Havana’s skyline. No surprise, the building quickly earned the nickname "control tower," a playful reference to both its resemblance to an air traffic control tower and the USSR's dominant role in the bilateral relationship between Cuba and the Soviet Union. A classic example of Brutalist architecture, the embassy features raw concrete, sharp geometric lines, and a fortress-like presence, reflecting both Soviet power projection and the architectural trends of the time. Conclusion Brutalist architecture in the Soviet Union represents a fascinating blend of functionality, ideology, and artistic expression. These structures, with their bold designs and raw concrete forms, continue to captivate architects and enthusiasts around the world. They stand as a testament to a unique period in architectural history, reflecting the ambitions and challenges of the Soviet era. 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Late on a rainy day, I set out to explore one of the most iconic structures in Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri. Pushing through tall grass and slippery terrain, I made my way up to the fortress—only to find the entrance locked. Luckily, a narrow window offered a way in. Inside, I stepped into maze-like, eerie corridors where history, decay, and silence create one of the most atmospheric urbex experiences in Armenia. I was inside the Horseshoe-Shaped fortress. < Back Inside the Eerie Corridors of an Abandoned Russian Fortress Late on a rainy day, I set out to explore one of the most iconic structures in Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri. Pushing through tall grass and slippery terrain, I made my way up to the fortress—only to find the entrance locked. Luckily, a narrow window offered a way in. Inside, I stepped into maze-like, eerie corridors where history, decay, and silence create one of the most atmospheric urbex experiences in Armenia. I was inside the Horseshoe-Shaped fortress. In the 19th century, Gyumri rapidly grew in importance, becoming a key political, military, and economic center of the Russian Empire. On June 2, 1834, Nicholas I of Russia issued a decree to design a new military fortress here. Construction lasted nearly a decade. Interestingly, it was the fortress—not the town—that was first renamed Alexandropol in 1836. Only a year later, in 1837, Gyumri received city status and was also renamed Alexandropol. On October 3, 1837, the emperor arrived in Gyumri via Akhaltsikhe. It was then that he ordered the construction of an Orthodox church within the fortress, later named Saint Alexandra. The Alexandropol Fortress is a nearly rectangular structure, oriented from north to east. Shaped by the surrounding terrain, it is fortified by defensive walls on only one side. The complex was vast and largely self-sufficient, with barracks designed for up to 15,000 soldiers, arsenals, supply depots, a three-story hospital, and numerous service buildings. The fortress contained 36 powder storage rooms, around 200 cannons, and significant reserves of wheat and barley. Today, the Russian 102nd military base is located on the territory of the Alexandropol Fortress. Built by local craftsmen, the fortress stands out among similar structures in the region. Its defensive network included key fortifications such as Sev Berd (Black Fortress), Karmir Berd (Red Fortress) and Paytadzev Amrots (Horseshoe-Shaped Fortress). While the first 2 are circular in design, the so-called Horseshoe-Shaped Fortress differs with its distinctive curved, semi-circular layout—giving it its name. Karmir Berd remains in use, and Sev Berd has been restored and opened to visitors. In contrast, the Horseshoe-Shaped Fortress is still abandoned—its entrances locked, access limited, and entry requiring some physical effort. All three fortresses were once connected by underground passages. Part of the tunnel is still visible today inside the Horseshoe Fortress, though the entrance is blocked with barbed wire. Arched corridors and a maze-like layout create a haunting atmosphere, giving the fortress its unmistakable eerie character. 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 . Project Gallery You May Also Like The Forgotten 50 cm Cassegrain Telescope of Byurakan Observatory Destroyed Soviet Mosaics and Frescoes in Armenia Inside the Eerie Corridors of an Abandoned Russian Fortress Soviet Bus Stops in Armenia Urbex Tours in Armenia – Photo Gallery The 53 cm Schmidt Telescope at Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Exploring an Abandoned Rest House with Impressive Bas-Reliefs A Spaceship on Earth: The Soviet-Armenian Echo of the Futuro House Previous Next

Inside an abandoned textile factory in Armenia, I stumbled upon something unexpected: rows of old computers, a large auditorium, and a Soviet mosaic. While I'm usually drawn to monumental Soviet art, this time the computers completely stole the show. They looked like nothing I'd ever seen before—and strangely, even a Google image search didn’t turn up anything similar. < Back The Forgotten Computers of a Soviet-Era Factory Inside an abandoned textile factory in Armenia, I stumbled upon something unexpected: rows of old computers, a large auditorium, and a Soviet mosaic. While I'm usually drawn to monumental Soviet art, this time the computers completely stole the show. They looked like nothing I'd ever seen before—and strangely, even a Google image search didn’t turn up anything similar. Curious, I dug deeper. I ran a DeepSearch with Grok and asked around in the Reddit community r/vintagecomputers. Here’s what I found out: What Were These Mysterious Computers? The machines are labeled "AM-5" and were likely produced by Gerber Technology , a U.S. company known for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) systems, especially for the garment industry . They were used from the late 1980s for tasks like pattern design , grading , and automated fabric cutting . Since the factory they were found in used to produce textiles, the match fits perfectly. Evidence points to the computers being manufactured in Germany , at Gerber's European branch— Gerber Technology GmbH in Ismaning, Germany. Why It Matters In the 1980s, companies like Gerber were revolutionizing how clothes were made. Their computers streamlined the process—digitally creating patterns, optimizing fabric usage, and even controlling cutting machines. These “AM-5” systems were likely part of that wave of innovation, quietly sitting in Armenia, forgotten by history. After stepping out of the computer room one can see a wonderful mosaic by Vanik Manukyan These machines, echoes of the past, are part of a larger narrative—where fashion and automation converged during the final years of the Soviet Union. Final Thoughts It’s frustrating how few people recognize the value of preserving relics like these. Old computers, military bunkers, carpet-weaving machines, thread spinners, watch-making tools—they’re all part of our industrial and cultural heritage. With the right approach, they could fuel niche tourism and spark real curiosity. But sadly, most are being looted or scrapped long before anyone realizes their worth. 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 . Project Gallery You May Also Like The Forgotten 50 cm Cassegrain Telescope of Byurakan Observatory Destroyed Soviet Mosaics and Frescoes in Armenia Inside the Eerie Corridors of an Abandoned Russian Fortress Soviet Bus Stops in Armenia Urbex Tours in Armenia – Photo Gallery The 53 cm Schmidt Telescope at Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Exploring an Abandoned Rest House with Impressive Bas-Reliefs A Spaceship on Earth: The Soviet-Armenian Echo of the Futuro House Previous Next

The hammer and sickle, a symbol that defined the Soviet Union and became synonymous with communism, carries a powerful historical and ideological meaning. This iconic image, consisting of a crossed hammer and sickle, represents the unity of industrial workers and agricultural laborers, embodying the vision of a classless society built on collective labor. Its appearance on flags, public buildings, and monuments reinforced the Soviet state’s identity and spread its influence globally. < Back Hammer and Sickle: The Most Iconic Soviet Symbol The hammer and sickle, a symbol that defined the Soviet Union and became synonymous with communism, carries a powerful historical and ideological meaning. This iconic image, consisting of a crossed hammer and sickle, represents the unity of industrial workers and agricultural laborers, embodying the vision of a classless society built on collective labor. Its appearance on flags, public buildings, and monuments reinforced the Soviet state’s identity and spread its influence globally. Origins of the Hammer and Sickle The hammer and sickle emblem was established by a government decision in late March to early April 1918 and approved by the V Congress of Soviets on July 10, 1918. It was first depicted on the state seal of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR on July 26, 1918. The artist E. I. Kamzolkin was the first to propose the hammer and sickle symbol for the decoration of the Zamoskvoretsky District of Moscow for the May Day celebrations in 1918. Before that, the "plow and hammer" emblem was used. The hammer and sickle symbol In this context, the hammer represented the working class, the industrial proletariat that toiled in factories, while the sickle symbolized the peasantry—those who labored in the fields. By crossing these two tools, the image represented the unity between workers and peasants, a fundamental principle of Marxist ideology. It was more than just a logo; it was a visual manifestation of the Soviet Union's communist ideals and its promise to liberate workers worldwide from capitalist oppression. A rare hammer and sickle monument still preserved in Armenia Together with the red star, the hammer and sickle appeared on the flag of the USSR in 1923, and in 1924, the symbol was written into the constitution. The hammer and sickle were also placed on the flags and coats of arms of the Soviet republics. The iconic red background, symbolizing revolution and the blood of workers, combined with the golden hammer and sickle, conveyed the message of a worker’s state. Above the hammer and sickle, the five-pointed star represented the global spread of communism. The Hammer and Sickle in Soviet Armenia The Armenian SSR emblem, designed by Martiros Saryan and Hakob Kojoyan, was adopted in 1937. The State Emblem of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic consisted of the image of Greater and Lesser Ararat, with a hammer and sickle on a five-pointed star surrounded by rays at the top. At the foot of the mountains was a vineyard bush with vines and leaves, and ears of wheat to the right and left. Emblem of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic on the top of the stage of Arshaluys culture house Around the emblem, on the margins, was the inscription in Armenian, "Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic." Below, on a red background, was the inscription in Armenian and Russian, "Workers of the world, unite!" Emblem of the Armenian SSR There is a diplomatic apocrypha according to which Turkey allegedly expressed protest, asking why Armenia put a mountain on its coat of arms that does not belong to it. To this, the then People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs, Chicherin, responded: "And why is there a crescent moon on the flag of Turkey? The moon does not belong to it either." In the Soviet Union, the hammer and sickle were more than just a political symbol; they were integrated into everyday life. The emblem became a common decorative feature on buildings, monuments, and state facilities, particularly during the era of Stalinist architecture. Hammer and sickle on the façade of the building of Vanadzor Municipality Today, while walking around Armenia, a meticulous eye can still notice traces of that emblem. Notable examples include the façades of the Government House, the Public Radio of Armenia, and the Vanadzor Municipality, all featuring hammer and sickle bas-reliefs. Moreover, during my urban exploration missions, I also saw a monument shaped like a hammer and sickle. An original Soviet-era flag with the emblem of the Armenian SSR that we saw in an abandoned shoe factory The hammer and sickle remain one of the most recognizable symbols of the 20th century, representing a significant era in global politics. Its widespread use on flags, facades, and monuments across the Soviet Union and beyond reflected the ideological battle between capitalism and communism. While the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the hammer and sickle still hold powerful historical and cultural connotations, often evoking both nostalgia and controversy in former communist countries and among left-wing political groups worldwide. 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 . Project Gallery You May Also Like The Forgotten 50 cm Cassegrain Telescope of Byurakan Observatory Destroyed Soviet Mosaics and Frescoes in Armenia Inside the Eerie Corridors of an Abandoned Russian Fortress Soviet Bus Stops in Armenia Urbex Tours in Armenia – Photo Gallery The 53 cm Schmidt Telescope at Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory Exploring an Abandoned Rest House with Impressive Bas-Reliefs A Spaceship on Earth: The Soviet-Armenian Echo of the Futuro House Previous Next