Hrazdan

Ancient history and Middle Ages

Historically, the territory of Hrazdan is associated with the historic Kotayk canton of Ayrarat province of Ancient Armenia. According to Ptolemy, Kotayk was directly ruled by the Arsacid kings of Armenia during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Later between the 5th and 7th centuries, the region was granted to the Kamsarakan and Amatuni families, under the Persian rule. Between the 7th and 9th centuries, Armenia suffered from the Arab Islamic occupation.

By the end of the 9th century, the region became part of the newly established Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia. Between the 11th and 15th centuries, the region suffered from the Seljuk, Mongol, Ag Qoyunlu and Kara Koyunlu invasions, respectively.

16th to 19th centuries

At the beginning of the 16th century, the territory became part of the Erivan Beglarbegi within the Safavid Persia. During the first half of the 18th century, the territory became part of the Erivan Khanate under the rule of the Afsharid dynasty and later under the Qajar dynasty of Persia. It remained under the Persian rule until 1827-1828, when Eastern Armenia was ceded to the Russian Empire as a result of the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28 and the signing of the Treaty of Turkmenchay.

20th century and beyond

With the fall of the Russian Empire and as a result of the decisive Armenian victory over the Turks in the battles of Sardarabad, Abaran, and Gharakilisa, the region became part of the independent Armenia in May 1918. After 2 years of brief independence, Armenia became part of the Soviet Union in December 1920.

Hrazdan is among the towns that were founded and developed during the Soviet rule. The former village of Akhta (or Nerkin Akhta) -covering the southern parts of present-day Hrazdan- was the centre of the Akhta raion; an administrative territory of the Armenian SSR formed in 1930. In 1959, The village of Akhta was incorporated into an urban-type settlement known as Hrazdan. Akta raion was also renamed as Hrazdan raion.

The original urban development plan of Hrazdan was introduced in 1961-63 by architects M. Grigoryan and E. Altunyan. Upon the January 12, 1963 decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR on the territorial changes in the state, the villages of Vanatur, Jrarat, Kakavadzor and Makravan have been merged within Hrazdan to become a town of republican subordination.^[2] In fact, the town of Hrazdan was formed through the merger of a group of separate villages and settlements.

The central Kentron district

Hrazdan has gone through major development during the 1960s and 1970s when many large industrial plants were opened by the Soviet government, including the "HrazdanMash" machine tool plant,^[3] cement factory, Jrarat milk factory and the prefabricated concrete panels plant. Another urban development plan was introduced in 1978-80, where it was envisaged to accommodate 120,000 residents in Hrazdan by the end of 2010. However, the plan was eventually abandoned with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Modern-day Hrazdan is divided into 3 major parts:

• Northern, including the districts of Jrarat and Mikroshrjan, as well as the Hrazdan industrial district.
• Central, including the districts of Kochor, Vanatur, Kentron, and Makravan.
• Southern, including the districts of Spandaryan and Aghbyurak along with the Hrazdan reservoir.

In December 1995, Hrazdan became the centre of the newly formed Kotayk Province.

Population

Andranik Avenue at the Vanatur district

The residents of Hrazdan are originally from the regions of Sasun, Kars and Mush of Western Armenia, and the regions of Maku, Salmast and Khoy of present-day Iran, who arrived in Soviet Armenia between 1926-29. During the repatriation process, citizens from other regions of Armenia and Armenians from Diaspora were also resettled in Hrazdan.

Here is the population timeline of Hrazdan since 1959:^[6][7]

Religion

The residents of Hrazdan are mainly Christians who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The church is regulated by the Diocese of Kotayk.

Present-day Hrazdan is home to many churches dating back to the Middle Ages as well as the modern periods. The Surp Stepanos (Saint Stephen) Monastic Complex of Aghbyurak -currently in ruins- dates back to the 10th and 12th centuries. As of 2016, the town is home to the following churches:^[8]

• Makravank Monastery, consisted of 2 churches: the Holy Saviour's church of the 10th century and the Holy Mother of God church of the 13th century,
• Holy Cross Church of Kochor originally built in 1854-61, rebuilt in 2013,
• Holy Mother of God Church of Vanatur, opened in 1883,
• Blue Cross Chapel of Vanatur, built in 1993-96,
• Tukh Manuk Church, opened in 2003,
• Saint George's Church, opened in 2013.

Hrazdan is also home to many ruined churches and monasteries dating back to the medieval period, protected by the government of Armenia:

• Kakavadzor Upper Chapel, Hrazdan, 4-7th centuries,
• Surp Stepanos Church of Aghbyurak, 10-12th centuries,
• Holy Right Monastery, 10-14th centuries,
• Kakavadzor Chapel, Hrazdan, 18-19th centuries
• Surp Karapet Church of Jrarat, 1831.

Media

Hrazdan TV is a private TV company in Hrazdan, founded by the family of Harutyunyan.^[9] The family also publishes a private newspaper and runs a radio company named known as Hrazdan Radio. The number of the Hrazdan TV viewers is around 220,000. The TV is broadcasting its programmes since 1 September 1991, covering the Kotayk Province and some parts of the Gegharkunik Province.