TOURIST CENTER OPENS IN FORMER POLYCLINIC BUILDING

KarabakhOpen
27-03-2008 10:17:39

In one of the oldest buildings of Stepanakert, the former
polyclinic, a major tourist center will be set up, said the
shareholder of Tourist Center Sergey Shahverdyan in an interview with
Karabakh-Open.com. According to him, the facade of the building will
not change. It will accommodate a travel agency, an information center
for tourists. There will be also exposition halls and other services
that the travel industry needs.

Reconstruction is funded by Russian Armenians and will finish in a year
and a half. The square near the building will also be improved, where
works of art will be sold in the open air. "The artists of Artsakh
can display and sell their works there," Sergey Shahverdyan said.

He says the idea of the center occurred in 2004. "It was very important
for us that the center were located in one of the old buildings of
the city, repaired in accordance with historical, architectural and
tourism requirements," said Sergey Shahverdyan. He added that they
made the right choice. "As we pulled down the additional walls and
partitions we revealed unique arcs. Experts say the building was built
in the 1850’s after the Tsar’s army had been deployed in Karabakh,"
Shahverdyan added.

He advised others not to demolish ancient buildings but reconstruct
them preserving their appearance. Sergey Shahverdyan says it will
also help develop tourism, especially in the historical part of the
city which may become frequently visited places after some work.