Jermuk

Distance from Yerevan	169.9 km.
Region	Vayots Dzor

Jermuk is a mountain spa town and the center of the Jermuk Municipality of the Vayots Dzor Province in southern Armenia, at a road distance of 53 km (33 mi) east of the provincial capital Yeghegnadzor. It was considered one of the popular destinations for medical tourism in the Soviet Union.

Jermuk is known for its hot springs and mineral water brands bottled in the town. It is attractive for its fresh air, waterfall, artificial lakes, walking trails, the surrounding forests and mineral water pools. The town is being redeveloped to become a modern center of tourism and health services. It is also being set up to become a major chess centre, with numerous chess international tournaments scheduled in the town. As per the 2016 official estimate, Jermuk had a population of around 3,400. However, as of the 2011 census, the population of Jermuk was 5,572. The nearby villages of Herher (pop. 706), Karmrashen (pop. 252), and Gndevaz (pop. 829) are also part of the municipality (community) of Jermuk.

Old caves dating to the Bronze Age are found in the Arpa River gorge at the north of Jermuk, along with a group of small chapels dating back to the Middle Ages.

The Jermuk branch of the National Gallery of Armenia was opened in 1972. It is home to many paintings and sculptures, mainly composed by several Soviet-Armenian artists such as Haroutiun Galentz, Martiros Saryan and others. The town is also home to a public library.

Upon the efforts of sculptor Hovhannes Muradyan, a group of sculptures known as the Alley of fedayis was opened in Jermuk between 1988 and 1992, depicting many figures of Armenian fedayis who fought against the Ottoman Empire.

In 2004, the Statue of Israel Ori was opened at the centre of Jermuk, composed by Gagik Stpanyan.

Jermuk is home to the Snowman Festival regularly organized in February on a yearly basis.

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