Goris, Armenia

Rocks in Goris (1990, oil on canvas, Aram Mesropyan)

The city of Goris, also known as Hin Kores and Gorayq) is a city in the southern part of Syunik volcanic highland in Syunik Province of Armenia. Located in the valley of mountainous river Goris (or Vararak), it is 254 km away from the Armenian capital Yerevan and 67 km from the provincial centre Kapan. Goris is an urban community and the 2nd largest city in Syunik province. It is the oldest among the cities of Marz Syunik.

The rocks surrounding the city are known as “The Goris Stone Forest”. They represent amazing labyrinths of colored columns, pyramids, cones and towers. These figures combining a play of light and shadow make an indelible impression. A hilly Goris landscape   is indented with gorges from which the rocks, like outlandish plants, reach out towards the sun, opening new and new fantastic landscapes, sometimes resembling extraterrestrial ones. The Goris Stone Forest looking like a film set of some extra-atmospheric blockbuster is the main sight-miracle of the city.

It should be mentioned that stone and earthen pyramids being a specific elements of the local landscape are loose inside, which feature enabled the ancient people to cut hollows inside them and arrange dwellings for themselves.  Up to the mid-XIX century, they were inhabited with people who were unwilling to move to modern houses.

Goris itself is a well-planned city built mainly with two-storey houses along the straight and wide streets of the city which is sunk in orchard s and greenery of parks.

Goris