Although most Armenians pay little attention to architectural remnants of the nation’s Soviet past, many visitors regard them as fascinating curiosities. On this walking tour, you will learn all about Sisian’s remarkable Soviet-era heritage, buildings, and monuments from a knowledgeable local guide.
Your tour starts at the Basen Hotel, where the city’s airport stood until the early 1980s. From there, you will walk to the city center to marvel at the central square and to learn the history of its construction in the 1970s. The imposing monument, Forty Fountains, opened in 1985 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.
As you stroll along the former Lenin Avenue towards the river, you may feel the spirit of the grandiose parades that once magnificently marched down this boulevard. By the riverside, you may visit several abandoned factories and settlements. You may also discover old Soviet fountains, bridges, and statues—many of which have fascinating stories and traditions behind them.
In addition to its walking tour of Sisian, Basen also offers several hiking tours, including relatively short walks to a nearby waterfall and more rugged climbs up one of the surrounding mountains. Other popular options are a jeep tour to Ughtasar, the site of ancient petroglyphs, and a hiking trip from Ltsen to Tatev. Many visitors may wish to spend at least one night at the Basen Hotel, which has 31 newly renovated rooms with private bath, free WiFi, and plenty of parking.
Meet your host
Hasmik Azoyan, the founder of Basen Hotel and Tours, named her business after an area in Eastern Anatolia, in the region of Erzrum, where her grandparents lived until 1915. Basen offers tours with local guides of historic areas in Sisian, as well as nature hikes in the surrounding mountains and through Sisian's more modern architectural and stone-art sites.
