Shushi region
It occupies a small southwestern part of Artsakh, the central part of the Artsakh mountain range. It is the smallest region of Artsakh, with an area of 381.3 square kilometers.
The surface of the region is completely mountainous, mostly covered with forests and shrubs. Mount Mets Qirs (2724 m) is located in the southern part of the region, on the border with the Hadrut region. The Karkar River flows through the region with its upstream, which has many fast flowing tributaries here.
On this small territory, there are 152 Armenian historical and architectural monuments. Most of them are located in the city of Shushi. It is often called a cultural capital of Artsakh, even “Paris of Caucasus”.
Shoushi, in fact, is one of the most beautiful corners of the Republic of Artsakh with the Shoushi plateau which was populated by our ancestors since ancient times. Archaeological excavations have revealed cultural artifacts from the Hellenistic period and early Middle Ages. By the end of the first millennium CE, protective constructions had already been erected on the plateau.
By the beginning of the 20th century Shoushi was a city with all the European conveniences: water pipes, drains, paved streets and sidewalks. The cultural level of this region was very high. The widely known Artsakh silks, carpets, jewelry and other luxury goods presented in the markets stunned travelers with their wealth and bright oriental colors.
Shushi is famous for its fortress, St. Amenaprkich Ghazanchetsots (Cathedral of St. Christ the Savior), Real College, Katarot canyon.