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| Nagorno-Karabakh | ||
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Artsakh Republicuntil 2017 Nagorno-Karabakh (also Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenian Լեռնային Ղարաբաղ, Azeri Dağlıq Qarabağ), has been a de facto of since 1992 Azerbaijan independent, internationally but not recognized republic. Today it is almost exclusively inhabited by Armenians. The only way to get to the Artsakh Republic is via Armenia. The border or front line with Azerbaijan is closed.
Regions
 | The region was largely occupied by an Azebaijani military attack. A (provisional) peace agreement of November 10, 2020 stipulates that all seven districts formerly belonging to the Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan will be returned to this country. Except for a 5 km wide corridor through Lachin, the area is supposed to become an exclave of Armenia again. Whether and when entry for foreigners will be possible again should be clarified on site. |
- Central Karabakh, with the capital Stepanakert
- Kelbajar Valley
- South with the destroyed city of Füzuli and the Arax valley
places
- 2 Shushi (Shusha)
- 3 Martakert (Ağdərə)
Other goals
- Davidank Monastery
- 5 Kelbajar (Kəlbəcər), in the valley of the same name.
- 1 Vank (Vənkli).With the monastery "Gandzasar".
background
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, efforts arose in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Republic to break away from Azerbaijan. These ultimately culminated in a war that raged from 1988 to 1994 and claimed large numbers of victims on both sides. As a result of the war, almost all Azerbaijanis were expelled from Nagorno-Karabakh. Today the area of the former autonomous republic is almost completely under Armenian control, and Armenian troops also occupy other areas to the west and south of the heartland.
language
Most people speak Armenian as their mother tongue, and Russian is understood almost everywhere. English and German are less common. In the Kelbajar valley there are still some people with Kurdish mother tongue.
entry
 | Whether the following information is still up-to-date after the war in autumn 2020 cannot yet be confirmed (November 14, 2020). |
Entry requirements
A visa is required to enter the country, which has been obtained from the Nagorno-Karabakh embassy [1] can be requested in Yerevan. It is issued there in a few hours for 3,000 Dram and is valid for up to 21 days (longer on special request). With the visa you get one Accreditation Cardwhich indicates where in Karabakh you are allowed to stay.
It is also possible to apply for a visa after entry and costs 3,000 Dram (approx. 6 €). You get yours at the border Accreditation Card and receives the address from the Foreign Ministry in Stepanakert. There you fill out an application (these are available at the entrance in the variants: Armenian-Russian and Armenian-English). The visa is stamped in the office of the visa department and can be stuck into the passport. If you decide to stick the visa in your passport, it should no longer be used for a trip to Azerbaijan. Furthermore is the Accreditation Card to submit. You get a receipt for the visa fee and a small document, which has to be handed in at the border when you leave the country (October 2017).
If you are in possession of an Armenian residence permit due to a longer stay in Armenia, you do not need to apply for a visa.
getting there
The journey can only be via Armenia usually by car or bus via the so-called Latschin corridor (road between Goris and Stepanakert) or via the newer asphalt road from Wardenis. A common variant is to look for a driver at the Kilikia bus station (Russian avtovoksal) in Yerevan, who then drives off as soon as the car is fully occupied (i.e. four people in the car). The best thing to do is to ask whether there are already other passengers who then just have to be picked up, then the fastest way to get ahead. The same applies to the way back from Stepanakert. Approximately 8,000 - 10,000 Dram (approx. 20 €) and 5 - 7 hours of travel time are estimated for one route (Oct 2011). But there are also several minibuses that run daily (especially in the morning and in the morning) that take one for 5,000 dram.
Entry by car is also possible via the asphalted route from Vardenis over the Sotk Pass, which has been paved since 2016.
Only the Karabach police control the border. The road to Goris and the recently paved north-south axis between Martakert and Hadrut are in passable, all other roads are mostly in miserable condition. Entry by private vehicle is without special formalities possible.
The airport and the train station in Stepanakert have not been in operation since the war. The airport has been renewed, but will not be served (2020).
mobility
There are minibuses (marshrutka) from Stepanakert to all cities in the country. Otherwise you have to rely on taxis or (rental) cars brought from Armenia.
Tourist Attractions
There are some monasteries worth seeing, especially the Dadivank and Gandzasar monasteries. There are old fortress ruins in Shushi and Askeran. The ghost town of Agdam near the front line is officially inaccessible.
activities
Besides sightseeing and hiking, there isn't much to do in Karabakh. The "Janapar" hiking trail, on which you can hike through the small country, is particularly suitable for hiking. The markings are unmistakable and reflect a footprint with the shape of the region [2].
In Stepanakert there are a few bars and restaurants, but there is not even a real "scene". After 10 p.m. the city is as good as deserted.
accommodation
- Hotel Heghnar, Stepanakert, 39-41 Abovyan St..
- Hotel Eclectica, Vank. A small hotel in the shape of a ship and maritime style elements.
- Hotel Sea Stone, Vank.
kitchen
Armenian cuisine as well as typical dishes of Russian cuisine seasoned regionally.
nightlife
The nightlife in Stepanakert is limited to a few bars and restaurants.
security
There are no particular hazards in the heartland, but there is a mine hazard near the front line, especially in areas that were not part of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Republic before the war. Therefore, watch out for signs here and if possible do not leave the well-trodden streets and paths. In the immediate vicinity of the front line, especially in the destroyed city of Ağdam, there is also a risk of exchanges of fire between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.
climate
The climate is somewhat milder than in Yerevan. This is particularly important in spring and autumn - there may still be snow in Yerevan while the flowers are already blooming in Nagorno-Karabakh.
literature
Web links
- http://www.janapar.org/wiki/Main_Page Wiki about the Janapar hiking trail
- http://www.visitarm.com/karabakh_hotels.html Hotels in Karabakh
- http://karabakh.travel/de/ Official website of the Ministry of Tourism
