Ijevan

Ijevan lies in the northeastern part of Armenia, at about 1,200 meters above sea level, in a mountainous valley carved by the Jinj River. Visitors come for the scenery—forests, mountains, alpine meadows—and often leave with local wine, brandy, and carpets. The town is surrounded by densely wooded mountains that account for nearly 60% of Armenia’s total forest cover. The area is known for its waterfalls and caves and is ideal for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.

Ijevan’s story begins in the Bronze Age, as archaeological findings—tombs and burial grounds in the town and along the left bank of the Aghstev River—suggest. Legend attributes the town’s founding to King Artavazd I in the 2nd century BCE. He is said to have brought Armenia’s most beautiful young men and women here, whose descendants became renowned for their appearance throughout the kingdom.

This strategic mountain valley, rich in water and land, made the settlement a target for invaders. In the 14th and again in the 17th centuries, residents were forced to flee, captured or killed in waves of violence.

Under Persian rule, a new village was founded here in the late 18th century, known as Karavansaray—meaning “caravanserai” or roadside inn. This name reflected its place on a major trade route, where merchants stopped to rest. After Armenia joined the Russian Empire, settlers from the Erivan Khanate and Artsakh began moving in.

When Armenia declared independence in 1918, the village was renamed Ijevan, though its meaning—“inn” or “rest stop”—remained. During Soviet rule, the settlement was granted city status.

Today, Ijevan is the largest city and administrative center of the Tavush region. Its Soviet-era wine and brandy factory is still active, along with woodworking and stone-processing plants.

The town is especially known for its carpet-making heritage. One carpet from Ijevan is even housed in Armenia’s National History Museum. Although the largest carpet-weaving factory in the South Caucasus closed its doors, local artisans continue the craft.

Ten kilometers southwest of town stands the 13th-century basilica of Surb Hovhannes, perched on a rise and mostly hidden by trees. Only the dome is visible from afar. Those who climb to it are rewarded with sweeping views.

The main Armenian Apostolic Church in both the city and the wider Tavush region is dedicated to Saint Nerses Shnorhali. It serves as the cathedral of the Tavush Diocese. Attached to the church is the Arevik Social and Educational Center, where children from low-income families learn crafts such as carpet weaving and cooking. Their parents are also offered vocational training. Visitors looking for a meaningful souvenir can stop here to buy handmade items and support local artisans.

About 30 minutes by car from Ijevan, Makaravank is a monastic complex dating from the 10th to 13th centuries. It includes three churches, a vestibule, and a chapel. The main church features intricate reliefs of animals and mythical beasts. According to legend, the complex was built by a master named Makar and his son. When the boy died, Makar leapt from the church roof in grief and was buried near its walls. The monastery was named in his memory.

Set in a small house with a carved wooden gallery, this local museum has just four sections but contains rare items, including artifacts from the Urartian era. In the courtyard stand cannons from the First and Second World Wars. The Soviet era is well represented—after all, the telegram declaring Soviet rule in Armenia was sent from Ijevan.

Founded in 1951 during the Soviet era, the factory produces fruit wines (from grapes, pomegranates, quinces, cherries, and more), vodkas (from cornelian cherry, mulberry, apricot), champagne, brandy, juices, and preserves. Guided tours include tastings. Visitors can buy products in the on-site shop at lower prices than in regular stores.

Few city parks can be described as open-air museums, but Ijevan’s features more than 100 sculptures created by international artists. Between 1985 and 1990, the park hosted a series of architecture symposia, and the resulting artworks were gifted to the city.

Most people know the towering Mother Armenia statues in Yerevan and Gyumri. But few realize that a third stands in Ijevan, in the north of the country. The 17-meter-high figure with outstretched arms symbolizes both the strength and hospitality of the Armenian people.

Spread across nine hectares, the Ijevan Dendropark features over 650 species of plants from every continent except Australia. Its director takes pride in housing the world’s only bear hazelnut alley. Amateur gardeners can even buy seeds from the park’s collection.