On this walking tour of Gyumri, Armenia’s second largest city and cultural center, you’ll get to know the story of this unique Armenian city, how it was created, what types of architectural influences it’s seen in the past, and what new developments are changing its face today. Gyumri, specifically its historic Kumayri district, is one of the few places in Armenia and the region where authentic urban Armenian architecture still exists. There are over 1,500 historic buildings in the district that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The narrow streets here are lined with the opulent facades of old mansions, theaters, coffeehouses, and workshops made of volcanic black and red tufa – Armenia’s most abundant stone and building material – in various degrees of both decay and reconstruction. Your guide, a local architect, will unveil the historic charm and significance of these buildings and the city, telling you the story of the local people who built them, as well as their nature, way of life, and values.