Shoghakat, Armenia

Shoghakat (Armenian: Շողակաթ), known as Shorzha (Armenian: Շորժա) until November 2017 (earlier known as Nadezhdino and Shordzhalu), is a village and a rural community located at Lake Sevan, northwest of the Artanish Peninsula in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia.

Shogahakat
Շորժա
Shoghakat as viewed from atop the
adjacent hill with chapel ruins.
Shogahakat
Շորժա
Coordinates: 40°30′04″N 45°16′28″E
CountryArmenia
Marz (Province)Gegharkunik
Elevation
1,915 m (6,283 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total500
Time zoneUTC+4 (GMT+4)
Postal code
1316

Administration
Shoghakat rural municipality administration building

After administrative reforms in November 2017 the name of the village was changed from Shorzha to Shoghakat and it was assigned as administrative center of same-name rural municipality including also villages

Historical sites
Chapel ruins on the hill

A 17th-century chapel and cemetery are located along the southern outskirts of the village.

On the hill overlooking Shoghakat, there are the ruins of another chapel.

Remains of an Iron Age fort can be seen in same area.[1]

Nature
Berries of sea-buckthorn (Hippophae) as seen near the village

Artanish peninsula of the Sevan lake with a same-named hill is located close to the village.

Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae) with edible sour berries grow at the shores of Sevan lake. Planted after the lowering of the level of Lake Sevan in soviet period, these are meanwhile wild-growing.

Vicinity of the village hosts 111 species of butterflies and is recognized as prime butterfly area "Artanish-Shoghakat".[2] Also the area is known as one of the key birding sites of Armenia.[3]

Infrastructure
Train transporting gold ore from Sotk mine as seen near the village.

Village can be accessed via Armenian road M14 running along north-east shore of Lake Sevan either from Tsovagyugh village (in northwest of Shoghakat) or from Vardenis (in south-east). Road from Tsovagyugh is partially in good to excellent condition, remaining sections are scheduled for repair in 2020. Road from Vardenis partially badly needs restoration.

Another road connects it to the town of Chambarak in north-west.

In summer passenger trains of South Caucasus Railways are commuting from Yerevan, via towns of Hrazdan and Sevan.

Trains transporting gold ore from Sotk mine to the refinery in town Ararat run round the year.

Recreation
Cilicia vessel

The shores of lake Sevan near the village host several a popular camping sites. Most popular is perhaps the camping site called "Whishup" (a word play with Vishap, a dragon in Armenian) located between the road and lake shore at about 1.5 km from the village towards Tsovagyugh. Various water sports, like wakeboarding, kiteboarding, are practiced there and some equipment is available for rent. A sandy beach with nice cafe invites for relaxing. In summer evenings concerts are held at the stage on the beach.

Hilltop of Artanish peninsula

On the opposite site of Artanish peninsula yachting clubs "Ayas" and "Armenian camp" are located. Sailing and paddling equipment can be rented there and guided tours on a sailing ship can be booked.

A copy a medieval Armenian sea vessel is placed there. Built in 90-s and named Cilicia (referring to Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, where such vessels were built and used) it sailed round the Europe[4] and was brought back to Sevan lake.[5]

Also a diver's club is located at the shore of Artanish peninsula.

  • Shoghakat Village
  • Shoghakat as seen from the Artanish Peninsula
  • 17th-century chapel at the outskirts of the village
  • Chapel ruins atop a hill overlooking Shoghakat
  • Shoghakat train depot

See also

References
  1. Kiesling, Brady; Kojian, Raffi (2005). Rediscovering Armenia: Guide (2nd ed.). Yerevan: Matit Graphic Design Studio. pp. 83–84. ISBN 99941-0-121-8.
  2. Prime Butterfly Area "Artanish-Shoghakat". Butterfly Conservation Armenia, 2016. http://www.butterfly-conservation-armenia.org/artanish-shorzha.html
  3. Birdwatching. Armenian Bird Census Council. 2016. http://www.abcc-am.org/birdwatching.html
  4. "Cilicia: the first-ever Armenian sailing ship to circumnavigate the world". Wandelion Blog: Travel News, Stories, Tips & How-To Guides. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  5. Daghdigian, Hovsep (2019-10-09). "Unseen Armenia: A New Home for the Ship Cilicia". The Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  • Shorzha travel guide from Wikivoyage
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