Akhtala

Place in Lori, Armenia

Akhtala Ախթալա
Akhtala with the monastery and fortress
UTC+4 (AMT)
Website	Official website

Akhtala (Armenian: Ախթալա), is a town and municipal community in the Lori Province of Armenia, located along the Shamlugh river, on the slopes of Lalvar mountain, at a distance of 186 km north of the capital Yerevan and 62 km north of provincial centre Vanadzor.

As per the 2011 census, Akhtala had a population of 2,092. Based on the 2016 official estimate, Akhtala's current population is around 1,300.

Etymology

The modern name of Akhtala was first recorded in a royal decree of 1438. The etymology of the name Akhtala is believed to be of Turkic origin, meaning white glade.^[2] The original Armenian name of the settlement where the monastery is built is Pghindzahank (Armenian: Պղնձահանք), literally meaning copper mine.^[2]

History

Archeological excavations showed that the area of Akhtala has been occupied by human since the early Bronze Age. During the 1887-89 excavations conducted by French archaeologist Jacques de Morgan, the site of a historical cemetery was unveiled with some bronze and iron objects, weapons, and ornaments dating back to the 8th century BC.^[3] The ancient settlement of Akhtala is situated on the same territory of the present-day mining area of Akhtala. It is associated with the Dzobopor canton of ancient Gugark; the 13th province of the historic Greater Armenia. The settlement of modern-day Akhtala was known as Agarak during the 5th century.^[4][2]

The partially-ruined

The Bagratuni King Smbat II of Armenia founded the

and Matsnaberd, yet they maintained ties with their ancestral fortress and compound in Akhtala.

In 1118–1122, the Georgian king

With its unique architectural style, the impressive

.

However, the region was devastated by the Mongol invasion of 1236, and the Mkhargrdzeli dynasty declined by the 2nd half of the 14th century.^[7] After the fall of the Kingdom of Georgia in 1490, Lori -including Akhtala- remained part of Kingdom of Kartli until the 16th century.

As a result of the 1555

Starting from 1763, Greek experts from

of Georgia, to utilize the copper and silver mines and establish the copper and silver factory in Akhtala region. Therefore, the village was sometimes called "Pghindzahank" (copper mine) and "Artsatahank" (silver mine).

In 1801, together with the Georgian provinces of Kartli and Kakheti, Lori was annexed by the

. Between 1887 and 1914, the Akhtala copper mine along with the mine of Shamlugh were exploited by the Compagnie Française des Mines d'Akhtala.

In late 1918,

Akhtala had survived as a village until 1939, when it was given the status of an urban-type settlement within Soviet Armenia, with its 398 inhabitants, within the Alaverdi raion (founded earlier in 1930 and rename Tumanyan raion in 1969). In 1995, the newly adopted administrative divisions law of independent Armenia reaffirmed the status of Akhtala as an urban community within Lori.

Geography

Being situated in the valley of Debed river at a height of 740 meters above sea level, Akhtala has a subtropical climate with cool and dry summers and mild winters. Annual precipitation reaches up to 600 mm.

The area of the present-day Akhtala had been previously known as Nerkin Akhtala. Currently, the town is commonly divided into 3 neighbourhoods:

• the old town located at the northwestern part, comprising the old village of Nerkin Akhtala.
• the new town located at the central and southern parts on a hill between Debed river and its tributary Shamlugh.
• the eastern neighbourhood located on the shores of Debed river, to the east of the old town.

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1897	69	—
1926	140	+2.47%
1939	398	+8.37%
1970	4,430	+8.08%
2001	2,435	−1.91%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Source: [9]

Culture

The 10th-century Akhtala Monastery is among the most well-preserved monasteries in modern Armenia. The main church of the complex is famous for its highly artistic frescoes, which cover the inside walls, the partitions, and the bearings of the building. The nearby Holy Trinity Church dates back to the 13th century, locate around 500 meters northeast of the monastery.

Akhtala has a house of culture and 2 public libraries.^[10]

The town is the home of the annual Armenian Barbecue Festival (Armenian: Հայկական Խորովածի Փառատոն Khorovatsi Paraton), since its first edition in 2009. It is annually celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of August. Many types of Armenian kebab, locally known as khorovats is being introduced during the festival. During the 2017 celebration (9th edition), around 1500 kg of meat was grilled during the festival, with around 40 participant cookers.^[11]

Transportation

The M-6 Motorway passes through Akhtala from south to east, connecting the town with Vanadzor at the south, and the Georgian border at the north. A network of local roads connect the town with the nearby villages of Lori.

The Akhtala Railway Station was opened during the 1920s. It is 209 km north of Yerevan on the way to Tbilisi.

An abandoned 250-meters long cable car used to connect the eastern neighborhood with the new neighborhood of Akhtala.

Economy

The area is rich with copper, lead and silver mines which are of industrial importance and are being utilized. The main industrial enterprise of the town is the "Akhtala Mining Plant" which is owned by the "Metal Prince" company. There are small manufacturing establishments in the town for food productions.

The town has a state hospital, a hotel and a sanatorium.

The main problems of the Akhtala are related to the reconstruction of the historical monuments. Environmental issues are also emerging in the small town including air and water pollution.

Education

As of 2017, Akhtala is home to 2 public education schools, as well as pre-school kindergarten.

Sport

Football is popular in Akhtala. FC Akhtala represented the town in domestic competition until its dissolution in 1992. The new neighborhood is home to football training field.

Weightlifting, wrestling, volleyball, chess and tennis are among the other popular sports in the town.^[12]

References