Gyumri from above

Gyumri (until 1840 Kumayri, 1840–1924 Alexandropol, 1924–1991 Leninakan) is the second-largest city in Armenia and the centre of Shirak Province. It lies 126 km from Yerevan, on the Shirak Plateau, east of the Akhurian River, at an altitude of 1,550 m above sea level. The city was severely damaged by the Spitak earthquake of December 1988.

The city has 5 churches, 1 monastery and 1 Orthodox chapel. The most magnificent of them is the Church of the Holy Saviour (Amenaprkich), built in 1859–1873. Since the 19th century Gyumri has been called the city of poets and ashughs, of crafts and arts, and its people are known for their sharp sense of humour.

The photograph shows, from above, a church built of red and black stone with conical roofs, surrounded by squares, streets and city blocks, with mountains in the distance.