Dilijan City Day (06/09)

Dilijan (arm. 」իիրան) – is a city located in Armenia, in the Tavush region. It is located on the Agstev River (a tributary of the Kura) and is a world-famous mountain climatic and balneological resort, one of the main recreational resources of Armenia. On almost all sides, the city is surrounded by the Dilijan Nature Reserve —, one of the richest in Transcaucasia. On the left side of the city there is a large forest park with an area of about 40 hectares.

Dilijan owes its healing climate, first of all, to its favorable location: thanks to the mountainous and wooded area, where there are practically no winds, and the relative humidity, despite frequent rains, almost always remains at a low level, the resort is popular all year round. Dilijan is also rich in mineral springs, which in their properties are close to the waters of the Borjomi resorts in Georgia and Vichy France.

The exact time of Dilijan's founding is unknown. Mentions of it are found in various documents of the first half of the 19th century, when it began to develop as a resort. People suffering from lung diseases came here.

Russian settlements on the site of modern Dilijan appeared in the early 19th century, when in 1827 the Russian army recaptured part of the large regions of Eastern Armenia, annexing them to Tsarist Russia. In 1831, the first settlement of Doukhobors from the Don Cossacks arose in the Karabakh province. A year later, the first Molokan (Old Believer) village of Bazarchay was formed in the Nakhichevan province. The Molokan community still exists in these parts. They live amicably with the Armenians inhabiting Dilijan, while each people preserves their traditions, customs and faith.

In 1921, the first anti-tuberculosis dispensary in Armenia opened in Dilijan, and some time later a – dispensary-hospital specializing in the treatment of tuberculosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and pancreas. These health resorts operated until the 1980s. The sanatoriums «Mountain Armenia», «Dilijan», the republican anti-tuberculosis sanatorium, as well as many private and departmental holiday homes and boarding houses, opened in the 1970s, have survived to this day. In 1947, the Dilijan Mineral Water Plant was founded here, which produces mineral water of the «Dilijan» brand.

The modern city is interesting for traditional Armenian architecture – these are attics, wooden balconies with carved railings, carved window and door frames. In the historical center there is an entire block where the life of the ancient city is recreated. Craftsmen work here, traditional Armenian bread is baked, and many souvenir shops are open.

Many attractions are located in the vicinity of the city. 18 kilometers from Dilijan is the monastery complex of Haghartsin, built in the 5th-8th centuries. A 20-minute drive from the city, in the village of Gosh, there is another ancient monastery complex – Nor-Getic, or Goshavank. Both the village and the monastery are named after Mkhitar Ghosh –, an outstanding Armenian scientist, writer and politician. In the Dilijan Nature Reserve, there is a picturesque Lake Parz (translated from Armenian – «Clean»).

Surprisingly beautiful nature, coupled with a healing climate and interesting historical sites, make Dilijan very popular among tourists, as well as among representatives of creative professions. Many artists, composers and directors come here for inspiration.

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