Alexandropol

Alexandropol is the historical name for the city now known as Gyumri, located in the Shirak Province of northwest Armenia. It sits in the Shirak Plain along the Akhuryan River and has long served as a regional commercial and cultural center.

The settlement traces back to Kumayri and, in the 19th century, was renamed Alexandropol in honor of Tsar Alexander II, reflecting its incorporation into the Russian Empire. Under Russian administration it developed as an administrative and economic hub, with Armenian and minority communities contributing to its diverse urban fabric.

In 1924 the city was renamed Leninakan during Soviet rule, and after Armenia’s independence in 1990 it was renamed Gyumri. The name Alexandropol is now primarily used in historical or scholarly contexts.

The area was significantly affected by the 1988 Spitak earthquake, with Leninakan (the name used at the time for the city) enduring extensive destruction and considerable loss of life. The disaster prompted international aid and long-term reconstruction efforts in the region.

Today, Alexandropol is referenced mainly in historical contexts, while the city is officially Gyumri. The modern city remains a regional center for culture, education, and industry in Armenia, hosting historic architecture, museums, and institutions that reflect its multiethnic heritage.