Chkalovka on Lake Sevan

Chkalovka is located at the beginning of Lake Sevan’s western shore, at an elevation of 1,950 meters above sea level. The Lavash Hotel is on the town’s lakeshore. In addition to accommodation, Chkalovka has a well-defined local history: until 1946, the settlement had a different name.

Location on Lake Sevan

Two reference points help put Chkalovka’s location in context: it lies at the beginning of the lake’s western shore, and the town is at an elevation of 1,950 meters above sea level. The first detail describes its position along the shore; the second, its elevation.

The Lake Sevan area is part of Sevan National Park. The park is home to 267 bird species, including 39 listed in Armenia’s Red Book. In the Gegharkunik region, the lake’s clear water and beaches contribute to summer recreation. The national park and its birdlife give the region a natural setting, while summer recreation adds another focus.

Accommodation and itinerary

The Lavash Hotel is rated three stars and is an accommodation option in Chkalovka. Its rooms are described as offering views of Lake Sevan. The rating and the lake view are separate considerations: the star rating classifies the hotel, while the view is a room feature. If the lake view matters to your decision, confirm this detail for the specific room before booking.

A seven-day overland tour of Armenia includes an overnight stop in Chkalovka at a guesthouse. In this itinerary, the coastal route toward the peninsula follows the stop. This indicates the sequence within this particular tour; check the specific accommodation and itinerary details before booking or traveling.

History and place names

Chkalovka was founded in the 19th century by Russian settlers, who originally came from Russia’s Saratov region. Before 1946, the settlement was called Alexandrovka. On April 26, 1946, it was renamed Chkalovka in memory of the pilot Chkalov. These dates distinguish two points in the chronology: the former name and the later renaming.

Other historical place names include Zeynal Abedin, Zeynal Aghalu, Palu Postnik, Korkotis, and Korkotia. Alongside Alexandrovka and Chkalovka, these names add another layer of historical toponymy to the town’s history. Those interested in local history will find concrete points of reference beyond the 1946 renaming.

The descendants of the original settlers left Chkalovka during the 1960s. This later turning point adds a demographic change to the chronology, following the settlement’s founding and renaming. For history-minded travelers, this creates a sequence of events: the founding of the settlement, the change of name, and the descendants’ later departure.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nerkin Getashen, Kalavan, Martuni, Tsapatagh, Wardenis, Tsamakaberd, Sevan

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