Sisian

Sisian is a town in the Syunik Province of Armenia. It serves as the administrative center of the Sisian community and lies in the northern part of the province, in a mountainous valley along the Vorotan River. It is situated in the Zangezur Mountain range, with a landscape of deep gorges, pastoral valleys, and agricultural lands. The climate is continental, with hot summers and cold winters.

The area around Sisian has a long history of settlement. The nearby Zorats Karer (Karahunj) is a prehistoric megalithic site often described as an ancient observatory or cemetery dating to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Medieval fortifications and churches also mark the landscape.

The local economy is based on farming, livestock, and small-scale crafts, with growing tourism related to the archaeological site and the nearby Vorotan River canyon and the Tatev area. Sisian is connected by road to Yerevan and other towns; there is no rail link.

The town hosts cultural institutions such as a House of Culture and a local history museum. It also includes religious sites and hosts annual cultural events and traditional crafts, reflecting a community centered on regional history and daily life in the Armenian countryside.