Jermuk is that beautiful corner in Armenia which brings immeasurable joy and happiness to everyone’s heart who once visits it. Here, in this wonderously fairy nature, in the world of blossoming flowers one may breathe easily and the heart will be filled with gladness, delight, warmth and sun… The brilliant American Armenian writer William Saroyan had a great love for Jermuk and during one of his visits he declared: 

“The Armenian World is a real Paradise and its high, skyscraping throne is Jermuk City. It is filled with infinite light and the sun is warm…. Everyone who has been in this wholesome city even only once will never forget its curing and sweet waters, thick forests, the magnificent waterfall, the smell of the Alpine flowers, and the silvery brilliance of the Arpa River.

Welcome to Jermuk!

Jermuk will greet you with love and sun.

The Geographical situation and Climate Conditions The salubrious Jermuk City is situated in the south-eastern part of the Republic of Armenia, in the administrative territory of the Vayots Dzor region, on the highest flow of the Arpa River; it is 173km far from Yerevan, and 108km far from the Eraskh railway station. The height from the sea surface is 2000- 2080m.

The plateau, on which the salubrious city is located, is surrounded from 3 sides by fertile Alpine vegetation and forest-castled mountains of Vardenis and Syunick, the height of the latters reaches 2500 -3000m. One of the water-full rivers of the Republic, the Arpa River, flows through the city and divides it into two parts. The Arpa River originates from the mountain springs, divides almost the whole Vayots mountain range via the deep ravine, and embracing the waters of a number of rivulets, joins the Mother Araks River.

The Jermuk rivulet which springs up from different sources is poured into the Arpa River, which has formed a marvellously glowing waterfall near its mouth, with more than 84m height. This is an exceptionally interesting sight, which makes the overall look of the city much more charming and fabulous.

The air of Jermuk is absolutely clean and devoid of dust, filled with a sweet smell of flowers. The climate of the city is very typical to that of the mountains. It is very cool here in summer, since the climate is mild, whereas winters last long and are very snowy, but fair and not very cold or windy. The average temperature of the coldest month is 8.1 degree, and during the hottest month the column of mercury shows 14 - 16 degree, the absolute maximum temperature is 32 and the minimal one is 35 degree. The number of atmospheric precipitation during the year is 800mm. The pressure of the atmosphere reaches 600mm, and the effulgence duration lasts 2300-2400 hours a year.

Jermuk is a water-full place. Besides the Arpa River and the Jermuk right-side brook, there are a lot of frosty and hot springs, which are used for drinking. Nonetheless, Jermuk is mainly famous for its curing hot springs which are about 40 and have rich components. Their temperature is rising up to 56-640C and they heal a great deal of illnesses.

Jermuk is considered to be a first-class salubrious place, a fine resort and a famous summer residence due to its prevailing sunny days, curing waters, mild climate, rich ultraviolet radiation, as well as due to its forest-castled nature and the abundancy of flowers, fresh air, and moderate moisture.

From the Depth of Centuries

ermuk, as a residence and a resort, is as ancient as the Vayots Dzor upland. Although in the medieval Armenian bibliography it is only mentioned once on the list of tax-paying villages by the XIII century historiographer Stephanos Orbelyan, the inscription proves the fact that the Jermuk province is much more ancient and grand than the other villages.

Nowadays, the ruins of the castle enclosure have been preserved with their unpolished rock stones without putty in the territory of Jermuk, which is typical to the mode of ancient structures, styles and modes of castle building in Syunick. The Jermuk Castle was built during the ruling period of the Artashesyan dynasty in 189 BC, and the village was founded much earlier. The waters of Jermuk have been reliable curing means of diverse illnesses since ancient times. According to historical sources, it was the summer residence of the supreme princes of Syunick. The evidence of it is the wonderously beautiful architectural complex, Gndevank, built near Jermuk in 936 by the princess Sofi of Syunick. In this connection the princess expressed her thought very picturesquely: “The Vayots ravine was a ring without a gem. I built this and as if put a gem on it”. Historical Jermuk was built during the ruling period of the Artashesyan dynasty (I century BC), it was both the summer residence and the salubrious resort of the Syunyats and Orbelyan kingdoms.

There exist records which testify the fact that having passed through the impassable mountain paths, ravines and rocks, people came there with horses and mules and had a bath in groups in the embankment hollows, in the warm mineral water.  
The stone-baths testify the fact that the mineral waters of Jermuk were used for curing purposes in ancient times. Today as well one of those baths is preserved as a historical monument and is called the Pristav Pool.
The wonderous curing waters of Jermuk have flown unpurposly and uselessly for centuries. The forays destroyed the land, sabred people, put on fire the buildings and gardens, stole the belongings. Under those conditions there couldn’t obviously be a word of prosperity or construction.

In 1830, the Russian engineer-geologist Voskoboynikov arrived in Armenia and began explorations on Jermuk’s geographical depth as well as the contents and characteristics of Jermuk waters. His observations on Jermuk were published in the “Mountain Magazine” journal in 1831, and later in 1855, in the “Caucasian Calendar” magazine. Voskoboynikov’s works were the first scientific talks on Jermuk. The 1925-1935 were decisive for the scrupulous observations of the salubrious place, in terms of putting its activity on governmental bases. Various commissions came here consisting of great specialists. The groups were formed of the following professors: L. Hovhannisyan, Mednikyan, A. Melik -Adamyan, the head of the Ministry of Health of that time Ghevondyan, engineer A. Ayvazyan, A. Ghambaryan and others.

In 1934, the arrival of the commission, consisting of the following prominent people, played an improtant role in the history of the Jermuk sanatorium. They are: balneologist-professors V. Alexandrov, S. Nalbandov, V. Dick, A. Melik-Adamyan, A. Hakobyan and others. They confirmed the undeniable importance of the curing characteristics of the mineral waters of Jermuk and the necessity of establishing a sanatorium at that place. The national social insurance commission of the former Armeian Soviet Republic began to build the first one-storeyed health centre, and in 1938, the 12-unit building began to be built, meant for taking a bath in the Arpa ravine. In 1940, the first sanatorium was opened for utilization, and thus began the fertile activity of the Jermuk health resort centre.

During the following years, questions concerning the development and perspectives of the Jermuk resort were undertaken by the Armenian Government as well as the Government of the Union. In 1945, the governing committee of the Soviet Union, taking into account the exclusive healing productivity of the mineral water, decided to proclaim Jermuk a significant resort of the Union. Decades passed: Jermuk has changed its face beyond recognition, lots of resorts, polyclinics, a hospital, a mineral water gallery, a mineral water factory, and some enlightenment, children and consumer service institutions as well as other establishments have been built.
In March 24 (1967), Jermuk was ranked among the subordinate republican cities, and according to the Board of Ministers’ decision (August 28, 1970), it was recognized as a significant resort place of the Union.

After those resolutions, Jermuk city – sanatorium has experiencеd unprecedented success. The boundaries of its territory have been expanded a lot today, it has become a famous resort place. People come here from very diverse cities and residences in order to be healed and just to rest.