Kanaker-Zeytun District

Kanaker-Zeytun Քանաքեռ-Զեյթուն
View of Kanaker-Zeytun from the east
Country	Armenia
Marz (Province)	Yerevan
Government
• Mayor of District	Arayik Kotanjian
Area
• Total	8.1 km2 (3.1 sq mi)
Elevation	1,280 m (4,200 ft)
Population  (2011 est.)
• Total	79,600
Time zone	UTC+4 ( )
• Summer (DST)	UTC+5 ( )

Kanaker-Zeytun (Armenian: Քանաքեռ-Զեյթուն, also spelled Kanakerr-Zeytun) is a district of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, located in the northeastern part of the city, an amalgam of Kanaker and Nor Zeytun.

Located on a hill overlooking the central part of Yerevan, the administrative district of Kanaker-Zeytun has common borders with the districts of Avan, Arabkir, Kentron and Nor Nork. By the outer border it is adjacent to the provinces of Armavir, Aragatsotn and Kotayk. As an administrative district, it is commonly divided into 3 smaller neighborhoods: Kanaker, Nor Zeytun and Monument.

History

Kanaker has developed as a satellite town of Yerevan throughout the history. With many historical churches and monuments, Kanaker was severely damaged in the earthquake of 1679. The town has played a key role in the Russian siege of Yerevan in 1827.

Many prominent figures of Amrneian literature and art are natives of Kanaker such as historian Zakaria Kanakertsi, writer Khachatur Abovian and musician Djivan Gasparyan.

Nor Zeytun was founded between 1946-1948 by Armenian migrants who arrived from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Greece.

With the quick geowth of the city of Yerevan, Kanaker and Nor Zeytun were gradually absorbed and became part of the Armenian capital. After the independence of Armenia, Kanaker and Nor Zeytun were merged and formed a single district within the capital Yerevan, under the name Kanaker-Zeytun.

Kanaker-Zeytun is a gradually developing district, with a population of m79,600 and an area of 8.1km². It mainly consists of one or two-storied houses.

Streets and parks

• Main streets:
  • Azatutyan Avenue
  • David Anhaght street
  • Avetis Aharonyan street
  • Paruyr Sevak street
  • Rubinyants street
  • Zakaria Kanakertsi street
  • Tbilisian Highway

• Parks:
  • Victory Park
  • Davit Anhaght park
  • Paruyr Sevak Garden

Religious, historic and cultural structures

The Russian church

• Surb Hakob (Saint Jacob) Church of Kanaker: built at the end of the 17th century on the foundations of the old church of Kanaker damaged during the 1679 earthquake. The church is of three-nave basilica type with two couples of pillars. Many sculptured cross-stones dating back to 1504, 1571 and 1621, are fixed on the western front of the church. The church was closed during the Soviet rule until 1990, when it was restored and reopened by the government.
• The historic Church of the Holy Mother of God in Kanaker, built in 1695 on the foundations of the old church damaged as a result of the 1679 earthquake. During the Soviet period, the church was turned into a warehouse. Between 1959-1963, the church was renovated through the efforts of the Armenian Organization for Historical Monuments Preservation.
• The old cemetery of Kanaker with its historic chapel.
• The 'Petevan tombstone of 1265.
• The Russian Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God built between 1912-1916, stands near the Russian base of Yerevan.
• House-museum of Khachatur Abovyan in Kanaker.
• The medieval well of Kanaker.
• Mother Armenia: the World War II memorial, the Military museum and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• The Monument to the 50th anniversary of the Sovietization of Armenia.

Education and industry

The French University in Armenia

• Kanaker-Zeytun is home to many educational institutions:
  • Eurasia International University
  • French University in Armenia (UFAR)
  • European Regional Educational Academy (ERIICTA)
  • The Scientific Technological Center of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • The Institute of Oncology and Radiology

• The district is also home to many industrial plants:
  • Yerevan Champagne Wines Factory
  • Coca-Cola Bottlers Armenia Factory

Gallery

• Kanaker-Zeytun
• 
  Luxurious house in Kanaker-Zeytun district
• 
  The European Regional Educational Academy