VIVA EASTPARTVIVA EASTPART

Small Historic Centers in Small Historic Centers in Armenia:  from ancient Armenia:  from ancient time to modern realitiestime to modern realities

Armenia in briefArmenia in brief

29,743 square kilometres 29,743 square kilometres  The terrain is mostly The terrain is mostly

mountainousmountainous Тhe highest point - 4,095 metres Тhe highest point - 4,095 metres Тhe lowest point - 375 metres Тhe lowest point - 375 metres The climate is The climate is

highland continentalhighland continental

The Republic of Armenia, The Republic of Armenia, covering an area of covering an area of

29,743 square kilometres  29,743 square kilometres  (11,484 sq mi(11,484 sq mi), ), is located in is located in

the north-east of the north-east of the the Armenian HighlandArmenian Highland

(400,000 square (400,000 square kilometres (154,441 sq mi)), kilometres (154,441 sq mi)), otherwise known as historical otherwise known as historical

Armenia and considered as Armenia and considered as the original homeland the original homeland

of Armenians, of Armenians, the territory the territory even now is full of Armenian even now is full of Armenian

cultural monumentscultural monuments..

Biblical mountain Ararat Biblical mountain Ararat

……..Armenia, a subtly green, ..Armenia, a subtly green, richly textured landscaped, richly textured landscaped, every corner of which has every corner of which has

been sculpted by millennia been sculpted by millennia of human triumphs and of human triumphs and

tragedies….. tragedies….. Brady Kiesling.Brady Kiesling.

Rediscovering ArmeniaRediscovering Armenia

Small Historic Small Historic Centers Centers

ONLY a few ExamplesONLY a few Examples

The The "Pilot Project on the "Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in

Historic Towns" Historic Towns" ((http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/chttp://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/cooperation/Kyiv/urbanrehab_en.aspooperation/Kyiv/urbanrehab_en.asp

) )

SANAHINSANAHIN Monastery Complex, Monastery Complex,

founded in 966,founded in 966, significant significant cultural, scientific and cultural, scientific and educational centreseducational centres,, UNESCOUNESCO site site

administrative center of administrative center of the Kyurikyan Kings in the Kyurikyan Kings in 11th and 12th centuries 11th and 12th centuries and the residence of the and the residence of the BishopBishop

seminary,seminary, where besides where besides the theological studies and the theological studies and research manuscripts were research manuscripts were produced and copiedproduced and copied

the famous library the famous library established in 1063 established in 1063

Ashtarak town Ashtarak town one of the oldest one of the oldest

settlements in Armenia settlements in Armenia first first written reference to it dates written reference to it dates back to 9th century back to 9th century

the most ancient part is the most ancient part is “Berdatagh” (Fortress “Berdatagh” (Fortress quarter), the name deriving quarter), the name deriving from a Cyclopean fortress from a Cyclopean fortress nearbynearby

one of the most important one of the most important observatories in the Eastern observatories in the Eastern European and Middle East European and Middle East area – the Byurakan area – the Byurakan Observatory, is situated in Observatory, is situated in this region.this region.

famous with its wines and famous with its wines and sun-dried fruit productionsun-dried fruit production

Yeghegis and Gnishik Yeghegis and Gnishik villages villages picturesque landscapes, picturesque landscapes,

wild flora and fauna, wild flora and fauna, historical and cultural historical and cultural heritage.heritage.

settled since IV-V centuries settled since IV-V centuries well preserved tombstones well preserved tombstones

with inscription in Hebrew, with inscription in Hebrew, Assyriac and Arabic were Assyriac and Arabic were found in the areafound in the area

Yeghegis was famous with Yeghegis was famous with its Smbataberd Fortress, its Smbataberd Fortress, one of the biggest (15 one of the biggest (15 hectare) and impenetrable hectare) and impenetrable fortifications in Historic fortifications in Historic ArmeniaArmenia

leading sectors of economy leading sectors of economy in villages are agriculture in villages are agriculture and stock-raisingand stock-raising

Goris town Goris town the oldest settlements of the oldest settlements of

Syunik region. First Syunik region. First references go back to the references go back to the 13th century. 13th century.

for defensive purposes for defensive purposes dwellers used to built their dwellers used to built their homes by carving the nearby homes by carving the nearby cone-shaped rocks and in the cone-shaped rocks and in the cavescaves

unique-style traditional one-unique-style traditional one-two-story houses, public, two-story houses, public, administrative and trade administrative and trade buildings across the buildings across the rectangular-shaped street rectangular-shaped street networks shaped the networks shaped the historical center of the town historical center of the town

favorable geographical favorable geographical location, climate and the location, climate and the unique natural landscape, as unique natural landscape, as well as the rich cultural well as the rich cultural heritage and the well heritage and the well preserved local traditionspreserved local traditions

Noratus villageNoratus village

located on the Southern located on the Southern shore of shore of Lake Sevan,Lake Sevan, at at the foot of the Gueghama the foot of the Gueghama Mountain Chain. Mountain Chain.

famous with its Old famous with its Old Cemetery, 9-19th Cemetery, 9-19th centuries, where more centuries, where more than than 600 khachkars (cross-600 khachkars (cross-stones)stones) carved with unique carved with unique patterns and other tomb-patterns and other tomb-stones are found , unique stones are found , unique feature of the Armenian feature of the Armenian Cultural Heritage. Cultural Heritage.

UNESCOUNESCO included the included the “Culture of Khachkar”“Culture of Khachkar” in in the List of the Intangible the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. Cultural Heritage in 2010.

Oshakan village Oshakan village an important settlement an important settlement

throughout the history of throughout the history of ArmeniaArmenia

a a Royal summer residenceRoyal summer residence during the during the Artaxiad and Arsacid Artaxiad and Arsacid DinastiesDinasties (1st century BC-4th (1st century BC-4th century AD)century AD)

the ruins of an the ruins of an Urartian fortressUrartian fortress on the top of the Didi Kond Hill, on the top of the Didi Kond Hill, many Antic era crypts have been many Antic era crypts have been excavated the excavated the five-arched bridgefive-arched bridge over the Kasakh River in the over the Kasakh River in the middle of the village.middle of the village.

burial place of burial place of St. Mesrop St. Mesrop Mashtots,Mashtots, inventor of the inventor of the Armenian AlphabetArmenian Alphabet and the and the founder of the founder of the Armenian SchoolArmenian School in 404 ADin 404 AD

DILIJAN - ARCHITECTURAL APPRAISAL

Dilijan TownDilijan Town

DILIJAN - IMAGES

Main Regulations in the field of Main Regulations in the field of

Cultural and Natural HeritageCultural and Natural Heritage The legal regulation of the cultural heritage field is The legal regulation of the cultural heritage field is

implemented by the Constitution, laws, Government implemented by the Constitution, laws, Government decrees, Ministerial and other legal acts, and decrees, Ministerial and other legal acts, and international agreements signed by the Republic of international agreements signed by the Republic of Armenia.Armenia.

The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Principles of The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Principles of Cultural Legislation”Cultural Legislation”

The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Protection The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Protection and Use of Immovable Historical and Cultural and Use of Immovable Historical and Cultural Monuments and Historical Environment” (1998)Monuments and Historical Environment” (1998)

Procedures of “State registration, study, protection, Procedures of “State registration, study, protection, repair, rehabilitation, use” and “Relocation of historical repair, rehabilitation, use” and “Relocation of historical and cultural immovable monuments”.and cultural immovable monuments”.

The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On immovable The Law of the Republic of Armenia “On immovable monuments of history and culture considered state monuments of history and culture considered state property of the Republic of Armenia and not subject to property of the Republic of Armenia and not subject to alienation” (2007)alienation” (2007)

The Law “On export and import of cultural assets” (2004)The Law “On export and import of cultural assets” (2004) The Law “On copyright and related rights”The Law “On copyright and related rights”

The Law “On Archives”The Law “On Archives” The Law “On the mandatory copy of the documents”The Law “On the mandatory copy of the documents” The Law “On specially protected areas of nature” The Law “On specially protected areas of nature”

(2006)(2006) The Law The Law ““On Urban Planning” (1998)On Urban Planning” (1998)The following laws also include provisions related to The following laws also include provisions related to

cultural heritage:cultural heritage: ““On local self-government”On local self-government” ““On local self-government in Yerevan”,On local self-government in Yerevan”, ““Land Code of the Republic of Armenia”,Land Code of the Republic of Armenia”, ““Water Code of the Republic of Armenia”,Water Code of the Republic of Armenia”, ““Forest Code of the Republic of Armenia”,Forest Code of the Republic of Armenia”, ““Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia”,Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia”, ““Code on Administrative-legal violations of the Code on Administrative-legal violations of the

Republic of Armenia”.Republic of Armenia”. Draft laws “On libraries” and “On museums and Draft laws “On libraries” and “On museums and

museum fund” of the Republic of Armenia which museum fund” of the Republic of Armenia which have been submitted to the Parliament for have been submitted to the Parliament for discussion.discussion.

Other Protection/Safeguarding Other Protection/Safeguarding Mechanisms for Historic Towns Mechanisms for Historic Towns

and Settlementsand Settlements

According to the law “On Urban According to the law “On Urban Planning”, key issues of spatial Planning”, key issues of spatial development of the country and the development of the country and the activities aimed at their activities aimed at their implementation are reflected in the implementation are reflected in the planning documents of planning documents of national, national, territorial and local levels.territorial and local levels.

At the national levelAt the national level the General the General project of settlement distribution project of settlement distribution and territorial organization projects and territorial organization projects are being elaboratedare being elaborated

At the regional levelAt the regional level territorial territorial planning projects (for the marz or planning projects (for the marz or several communities/micro-regional several communities/micro-regional level)are being elaborated.level)are being elaborated.

At the local levelAt the local level General Plans of General Plans of communities and zoning projects are communities and zoning projects are being elaborated.being elaborated.

In all the documents elaborated at In all the documents elaborated at above-mentioned levels the limitations above-mentioned levels the limitations related to the related to the protection of the natural protection of the natural and cultural heritage are duly taken into and cultural heritage are duly taken into account.account. Simultaneously, proposals are Simultaneously, proposals are presented for the improvement of its use presented for the improvement of its use and protection.and protection.

The towns of The towns of Gyumri, Vanadzor, Dilijan, Gyumri, Vanadzor, Dilijan, Jermuk, Vagharshapat, Ashtarak, Goris, Jermuk, Vagharshapat, Ashtarak, Goris, as well as Tatev and Halidzor villageas well as Tatev and Halidzor village communities have been identified as communities have been identified as special urban planning territories, based special urban planning territories, based on the need for protecting the historical-on the need for protecting the historical-cultural heritage in their territories.cultural heritage in their territories.

Programs implemented and Programs implemented and being implementedbeing implemented

1. The 1. The "Pilot Project on the "Pilot Project on the Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Rehabilitation of Cultural Heritage in Historic Towns" Historic Towns" ((http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/cohttp://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/cooperation/Kyiv/urbanrehab_en.aspoperation/Kyiv/urbanrehab_en.asp

  Enhancing available heritage resources Enhancing available heritage resources Managing existing constraints and Managing existing constraints and

pressures pressures Introducing public debate in the decision-Introducing public debate in the decision-

making process making process Making the best of the existing urban fabric Making the best of the existing urban fabric

to foster a different kind of modernity to foster a different kind of modernity

The The Preliminary PhasePreliminary Phase has led to has led to the following main achievements:the following main achievements:

Setting up of political back up and Setting up of political back up and technical management structuretechnical management structure

Publication of Heritage Assessment Publication of Heritage Assessment ReportsReports

Development of a regional network of Development of a regional network of professionals and townsprofessionals and towns

Elaboration and implementation of the Elaboration and implementation of the Diagnosis methodologyDiagnosis methodology

Public Awareness / communicationPublic Awareness / communication

"Architectural and Natural "Architectural and Natural Heritage Restoration in Urban Heritage Restoration in Urban

Development Policies/Armenia”, Development Policies/Armenia”, 2003 - 2006, with the support of the 2003 - 2006, with the support of the

Council of Europe, the Ministry of Council of Europe, the Ministry of Urban Development (with the Urban Development (with the participation of Ministry of Culture and participation of Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Nature Protection, local the Ministry of Nature Protection, local authorities, NGOs and expertsauthorities, NGOs and experts

within the Programme “Cultural and within the Programme “Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation in the Natural Heritage Preservation in the South Caucasus/Regional Project on South Caucasus/Regional Project on Management of Historical Cities and Management of Historical Cities and Institutional Capacity Building.”Institutional Capacity Building.”

National experts have elaborated the National experts have elaborated the

““Concept of priorities of urban Concept of priorities of urban policy for the restoration of policy for the restoration of architectural and natural architectural and natural heritage for the towns of heritage for the towns of

Ashtarak, Goris and Gyumri."Ashtarak, Goris and Gyumri."

Town of Jermuk (Vayots Dzor MarzTown of Jermuk (Vayots Dzor Marz) ) was announced as a was announced as a tourism centretourism centre. . The program is being implemented The program is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Economy, jointly by the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Urban Development, and Ministry of Urban Development, and other stakeholders. By the request of other stakeholders. By the request of the Ministry of Urban Development the Ministry of Urban Development the Vayots Dzor territorial planning the Vayots Dzor territorial planning was made (approved by the was made (approved by the Government decree N103-N as of Government decree N103-N as of 2010-02-11).2010-02-11).

““Tatev” and “North Gate”Tatev” and “North Gate” tourism tourism centres were approved and targeted centres were approved and targeted programs were developed. These programs were developed. These programs for tourism centres are long-programs for tourism centres are long-term plans from the perspective of term plans from the perspective of tourism development in Armenia tourism development in Armenia according to their rich according to their rich historical-/cultural heritage and climatic historical-/cultural heritage and climatic conditions, peculiarities and traditions.conditions, peculiarities and traditions.

Since 2008 the Ministry of Economy Since 2008 the Ministry of Economy has been implementing the program has been implementing the program ''Roads of Culture and Tourism for ''Roads of Culture and Tourism for Development and Dialogue in Armenia”Development and Dialogue in Armenia” managed by the Moscow office of managed by the Moscow office of UNESCO. The main goal of the UNESCO. The main goal of the program is to develop tourism in the program is to develop tourism in the territories of Armenia where historical-territories of Armenia where historical-cultural monuments listed in UNESCO cultural monuments listed in UNESCO world heritage list or monuments world heritage list or monuments nominated for inclusion in the list.nominated for inclusion in the list.

Government of Armenia adopted the Government of Armenia adopted the decision decision “On activities aimed at “On activities aimed at solutions of the problems of the solutions of the problems of the “Garni-Geghard” tourism route”,“Garni-Geghard” tourism route”, which has determined a number of which has determined a number of projects and measures for projects and measures for development of infrastructure around development of infrastructure around the the Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery and Charentz Arch.and Charentz Arch. Currently Currently construction works are implemented construction works are implemented with the assistance of the UNDP.with the assistance of the UNDP.

Ministry of Culture has implemented a Ministry of Culture has implemented a monument rehabilitation project in monument rehabilitation project in GyumriGyumri (monument-buildings #2 on (monument-buildings #2 on Shchors street, and #2 and #2A on Shchors street, and #2 and #2A on Achemyan Street). As a result, the Achemyan Street). As a result, the mentioned monument-buildings will mentioned monument-buildings will receive new operational significance receive new operational significance and will operate as the and will operate as the Shirak Regional Shirak Regional Museum of Folk-Lore, the branch of Museum of Folk-Lore, the branch of Armenian National Art Gallery and the Armenian National Art Gallery and the Shirak Regional Library.Shirak Regional Library.

Armenian Monuments Awareness Armenian Monuments Awareness Project (AMAP)Project (AMAP) is a permanent project is a permanent project to increase awareness of Armenia’s to increase awareness of Armenia’s historical, cultural and natural historical, cultural and natural monuments by creating and installing monuments by creating and installing signed, print, multimedia and online signed, print, multimedia and online presentations at selected sites while presentations at selected sites while creating a viable, sustainable public-creating a viable, sustainable public-private partnership to create, develop private partnership to create, develop and maintain programming at Armenian and maintain programming at Armenian monuments.monuments.

Thank you for Thank you for attention!attention!