Category Archives: Soviet Armenia

On the Lookout for Lenin in Arin Village (Vayots Dzor)

I will never forget the moment we found out that there was a Lenin statue in Arin village, Armenia.  We were on a trip down in Syunik and Hovik, the wonderful man that co-owns Shahnazar Adventure Camping told us about the place. To be honest, we believed him but we are always such skeptics until […]

The Ride to Hell: Discovering a Soviet Prisoner Wagon in Yerevan

You never know what you can find accidentally chatting with new people that you randomly met during a group gathering. I was at my co-working space, Impact Hub Yerevan, conducting a tourism workshop when I began chatting with one of the event participants who informed me he was going to check out an old train […]

Shrvenants School: An Illuminative Walk through its Abandoned Halls

Shrvenants School: An Illuminative Walk through its Abandoned Halls

There’s something to be said about revisiting something that used to be an exemplary role model of its kind back in its better days. Sometimes the mission pans out and sometimes it doesn’t. I desired to visit Yuzhmash rocket factory in Dnipro, Ukraine several years ago but it (needless to say), did not work out […]

Discovering an Abandoned Soviet Culture House in Shvani Dzor, Armenia

Discovering an Abandoned Soviet Culture House in Shvani Dzor, Armenia

After observing the wonderful and unique town of Meghri, we discovered even more on our journey through the southernmost part of Armenia. This time we went about 3 kilometers away to Shvani Dzor village. Disclaimer: Please note that since writing this, Shvani Dzor village is only able to be visited by Armenian nationals as there […]

Metsamor: Visiting the Nuclear Town’s Soviet Sports Complex & Culture House

Trip to Metsamor -30

I recently had a chance to visit the city of Metsamor in Armavir province, Armenia. The purpose-built city housed the workers of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant and their families. This guide details my experience visiting Metsamor! There are many obscure and mysterious places that were built during Soviet times that are still in existence […]