Vardenik

For the mountain in Serbia, see Vardenik (mountain).

Vardenik (Armenian: Վարդենիկ) is a village in the Martuni Municipality of the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia, that sits along the Vardenis River. The cyclopean fort ruins of Kaftarli are located 3 km south of the village, with petroglyphs being present downhill along the bank of the river. Some churches and shrines can be found in the vicinity.^[2] The village is the largest rural community in Armenia by population.

Vardenik Վարդենիկ
The entrance to Vardenik
Vardenik Show map of Armenia Vardenik Show map of Gegharkunik
Coordinates: 40°07′59″N 45°26′12″E
Country	Armenia
Province	Gegharkunik
Municipality	Martuni
Founded	1828-29
Elevation	1,994 m (6,542 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	9,880
Time zone	UTC+4 (AMT)
Postal code	1418
Vardenik at GEOnet Names Server

Etymology

The village was previously known as Gezeldara, Nerkin Gezaldara, Gyuzeldara and Nizhnyaya Gezaldara.

History

The village was founded in 1828-29 by emigrants from Mush.^[2]

Gallery

• 
  St. Astvatsatsin Church
• 
  The medieval cemetery of St. Astvatsatsin Church
• 
  Ishkhanavank Church
• 
  Medieval cemetery, Ishkhanavank
• 
  Ruins of the Tsaghkavank Church
• 
  Khachkars
• 
  Natural monument "Stone Fortress"

References

1. Statistical Committee of Armenia. "The results of the 2011 Population Census of Armenia" (PDF).
2. Kiesling, Brady; Kojian, Raffi (2005). Rediscovering Armenia: Guide (2nd ed.). Yerevan: Matit Graphic Design Studio. p. 80. ISBN 99941-0-121-8.

External links

• Report of the results of the 2001 Armenian Census, Statistical Committee of Armenia
• Kiesling, Brady (June 2000). Rediscovering Armenia: An Archaeological/Touristic Gazetteer and Map Set for the Historical Monuments of Armenia (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 November 2021.