About Shushi

Shushi is located on the hill that is topped with a massive, long rock., and below it that the village Karintak ("Below the Rock") is located.Since Shushi was just above this village, and was the last Azeri stronghold to be captured, this village saw a great deal of destruction during the war. Many villagers died, and most of the town was rebuilt since the war ended. The old town square is pretty well preserved, and shows some of the traditional pre-Soviet architecture of the region. There is a plain village church that was restored by Land and Culture Organization volunteers in 1999-2000, as well as beautiful scenery, hikes, a stream, and friendly villagers. s some swimming holes and a mossy waterfall (one hour hike) and the whole area is great for camping. The massive vertical rock above Karintak (below Shushi) seems perfect for rock-climbers. There are some trails up to Shushi that will get you there in under an hours hike. Shushi saw a lot of destruction and looting after its capture, and now is split between burnt out homes, and restored homes in which the Armenians reside. It was one of the few mixed Armenian and Azeri towns in Karabakh before the war. The town has a large and beautiful white stone Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, built from 1868-1887 and recently restored, as well as the smaller Kanach Jham (Green Church), which also saw restoration. This is the religious center of Karabakh, with the Archbishop residing across the street from the Cathedral.

Several schools are reconstructed in Shushi by the Armenian Educational Foundation.
Click on the reconstructed school icon for detailed information.

Ghazanchetsots Cathedra