Khankendi

Also known as Xankendi, Khankandi, Vararakn, Khankendy, Stepanakert

Stepanakert, or Khankendi, is a city in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The city was under the control and the capital city of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh prior to the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in the region. The city is located in a valley on the eastern slopes of the Karabakh mountain range, on the left bank of the Karkar/Gargarchay River.

AI overview

Khankendi, also known as Stepanakert, is a city in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan that served as the capital of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh until 2023. The city's significance lies in its role as the political and administrative center of this contested territory, which became a focal point during the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in the region.

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Place details

Locality: Xankəndi
Country: Azərbaycan
Population: 4,367
Timezone: Asia/Baku

via · GeoNames

Travel guide

Understand

There is some dispute whether the first settlement in this area was started by Armenians in 5th century and thus was called Vararakn ("rapid spring" in Armenian) or by a Karabakh khan in 18th century, and was thus called Khankendi (Turkic for "the khan's village").

The city was renamed in 1923 to Stepanakert to honour Stepan Shahumyan, ethnic Armenian leader. It also became the capital of the newly created Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. Shortly after that municipal authorities adopted a new city layout designed by the prominent Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian, which is still in use.

During the war, the city suffered immense damage from Azeri bombardment which continued from 1992 to 1994.

Get in

thumb|Stepanakert Airport thumb|Central Bus Station Tourists must obtain an Azerbaijani visa, see Azerbaijan#Get in for more details.

Get around

There are several city bus lines. The price was 100 dram in March 2015.

There are lots of taxis ranging from a very old cars to a brand new Mercedes. Taxi prices are a bit higher than in Yerevan and increase if you leave the city for the countryside. Drivers tend to be honest, but using a meter is always a good idea.

See

thumbnail|Garabagh University thumbnail|Fountains at the Shahumyan square

You should also visit some government buildings and universities.

Do

There are many museums that show the history of the region. There are also a lot of parks, many of them are brand new with nice statues and memorials. People are very friendly and will be happy if your children play with their children.

Buy

There are many souvenir shops. A very nice one can be found in the lobby of hotel "Armenia".

Stepanakert boasts of a number of art galleries and rug shops.

Eat

There are so many cafes throughout the city.

~30 min read

Article

25 sections

Contents

Etymology
History
Founding and Soviet era
First Nagorno-Karabakh War and Armenian control
Control by Azerbaijan
Culture and economy
Education
Sport
Twin towns – sister cities
Friendship declarations
Religion
Economy
Geography and climate
Politics and government
Government buildings
Demographics
Transport
Bus
Air
Railway
Notable people
Notes
References
Bibliography
External links

The area that would become Stepanakert was originally an Armenian settlement named Vararakn. During the Soviet period, the city was made the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, becoming a hub for economic and industrial activity. The city became a hotbed for political activity, serving as the center for Armenian demonstrations calling for the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Stepanakert suffered extensive damage following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the outbreak of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and passed into the hands of local Armenians with the establishment of the Republic of Artsakh. During the Soviet and Artsakh periods, the city was a regional center of education and culture, being home to Artsakh University, musical schools, and a palace of culture. The economy was based on the service industry and had varied enterprises, food processing, wine making, and silk weaving being the most important. As of 2021, the population of Stepanakert was 75,000.