History of Gyumri

Gyumri is one of the ancient cities of Armenia. All over the territory of city you can find several monuments, fortress-residence, mausoleum fields, churches testifying to the fact that there has been life here for more than 5000 years.
Gyumri is the capital and largest city of the Shirak region in northwest Armenia. It is located about 120 km from the capital of Armenia Yerevan.
In 1987 the population of Gyumri was 230000, the majority of which (97 %) were Armenians. The rest of the population were Russians, Curds and Greeks.
The devastating earthquake on December 7, 1988 caused massive destruction and numerous deaths.
Currently the population of  Gyumri is little less than 170000.
The name of the city has been changed many times in history. It was first known as Kumayri or Gyumri.
As a result of the Russo-Persian war (1804-1813), Gyumri came under Russian control in 1804. In 1837 Russian Czar Nikolay I arrived in Gyumri and renamed the city Alexandropol. The name was chosen in honor of Czar’s wife,  Alexandra Fyodorovna. The city carried the name Alexandrapol till 1924. In 1924, after Lenin's death the city was renamed Leninakan in memory of the leader of the Russian Revolution. In 1991 after declaration of independence the city regained the original name - Gyumri.