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{{Short description|City in Azerbaijan}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{short description|Capital of Nagorno-Karabakh}}
{{Redirect|Xankəndi}} {{Redirect|Xankəndi}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement {{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Stepanakert / Khankendi | name = Stepanakert / Khankendi
| other_name = {{lang-hy|Ստեփանակերտ}} / {{lang-az|Xankəndi|italic=no}} | native_name = {{lang|hy|Ստեփանակերտ}} / {{lang|az|Xankəndi}}
| settlement_type = City | settlement_type = ]
| motto =
| image_skyline = File:StepanakertCollage.jpg | image_skyline = File:StepanakertCollage.jpg
| imagesize = 300px | imagesize = 300px
| image_caption = From top left: <br />] <br />]&nbsp;• Downtown Stepanakert <br />]&nbsp;• Stepanakert skyline <br />Park Hotel Artsakh &nbsp;• '']'' <br />] | image_caption = From top left: <br />] <br />]&nbsp;• Downtown Stepanakert <br />]&nbsp;• Stepanakert skyline <br />Park Hotel Artsakh &nbsp;• '']'' <br />]
&nbsp;• ] &nbsp;• ]
| image_flag = | image_flag =
| flag_size =
| image_seal =
| seal_size =
| image_shield = ]
| shield_size = 75px | shield_size = 75px
| image_map = | map_caption = Location of Stepanakert/Khankendi in Azerbaijan and its ].
| mapsize = | pushpin_map = Azerbaijan#Karabakh
| map_caption = Location of Stepanakert in ] and in Azerbaijan. | subdivision_type = ]
| pushpin_map = Republic of Artsakh#Azerbaijan | subdivision_name = ]
| subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Artsakh}} <small>(])</small> | subdivision_name1 = ]
| government_type =
<br>{{flag|Azerbaijan}} <small>(])</small>
| subdivision_type1 = ] | governing_body =
| subdivision_name1 = Stepanakert <small>(])</small> | leader_title = ] special representative
| leader_name = Elchin Yusubov<ref>{{cite web |url= https://report.az/daxili-siyaset/xankendi-agdere-ve-xocalida-azerbaycan-respublikasi-prezidentinin-xususi-numayendesi-teyin-edilib/|title= Xankəndi, Ağdərə və Xocalıda Azərbaycan Prezidentinin xüsusi nümayəndəsi təyin edilib|website= report.az|date= 7 March 2024|access-date= 17 July 2024|language= az}}</ref>
| subdivision_type2 = ]
| subdivision_name2 = Khankendi <small>(])</small>
| government_type = ]
| governing_body = Stepanakert City Council
| leader_title = Mayor of Stepanakert
| leader_name = David Sargsyan
| established_title = City status | established_title = City status
| established_date = 1940<ref name= hewsen/>
| established_date = 1923<ref>{{cite web|url=http://karabakh.travel/en/stepanakert/25|title=Tourism department of ministry of economy of NKR|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-date=19 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919212204/http://karabakh.travel/en/stepanakert/25/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 29.12 | area_total_km2 = 29.12
| population_as_of = 2021 | population_as_of = 2021
| population_note =
| population_total = 75,000 | population_total = 75,000
| population_footnotes = <ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://stat-nkr.am/files/publications/2015/LXH_tverov_2015.pdf |title=Figures |date=2015 |website=stat-nkr.am |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912090543/http://stat-nkr.am/files/publications/2015/LXH_tverov_2015.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | population_footnotes = <ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://stat-nkr.am/files/publications/2015/LXH_tverov_2015.pdf |title=Figures |date=2015 |website=stat-nkr.am |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=12 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912090543/http://stat-nkr.am/files/publications/2015/LXH_tverov_2015.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
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| timezone = ] | timezone = ]
| utc_offset = +4 | utc_offset = +4
| timezone_DST = | coordinates = {{coord|39|48|55|N|46|45|7|E|region:AZ<!--NKR-->|display=inline,title}}
| utc_offset_DST =
| coordinates = {{coord|39|48|55|N|46|45|7|E|region:{{xb|NKR}}|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m = 813 | elevation_m = 813
| postal_code_type = | area_code = +994 26
| postal_code =
| area_code = +374 47
| website = {{url|http://stepanakert.am}}
| footnotes = Sources: Stepanakert city area and population<ref name="The National Statistical Service of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic">{{Cite web |url=http://stat-nkr.am/files/yearbooks/2007_2013/3_bnutagr_23-25.pdf |title=General Characteristics of the NKR |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929072204/http://stat-nkr.am/files/yearbooks/2007_2013/3_bnutagr_23-25.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | footnotes = Sources: Stepanakert city area and population<ref name="The National Statistical Service of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic">{{Cite web |url=http://stat-nkr.am/files/yearbooks/2007_2013/3_bnutagr_23-25.pdf |title=General Characteristics of the NKR |access-date=16 September 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929072204/http://stat-nkr.am/files/yearbooks/2007_2013/3_bnutagr_23-25.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| name =
}} }}


'''Stepanakert''' ({{lang-hy|Ստեփանակերտ|Step'anakert}}, {{small|Eastern}} {{IPA-hy|əstɛpʰanaˈkɛɾt}}), or '''Khankendi''' ({{lang-az|Xankəndi}}, {{IPA-az|xɑncænˈdi|lang|Az-Khankendi.ogg}}), is the '']'' ] and the largest city of the ] ], though internationally recognized as part of ]. The city is located in a subtropical valley on the eastern slopes of the ] mountain range, on the left bank of the ] river.<ref name= RU>{{harvnb|Baranchikov|2016|p= 225}}</ref> Covering approximately 11.2 square miles (29.12  km<sup>2</sup>), it is the de facto center of the Stepanakert Province and the de jure center of Khankendi District. '''Stepanakert''' ({{langx|hy|Ստեփանակերտ|Stepʻanakert}}, <small>] pronunciation:</small> {{IPA-hy|stɛpʰɑnɑˈkɛɾt|}}) or '''Khankendi''' ({{langx|az|Xankəndi}}, {{IPA|az|xɑncænˈdi|pron|Az-Khankendi.ogg}}) is a city in the ] region of ]. The city was under the control and the capital city of the breakaway ] prior to the ] in the region. The city is located in a valley on the eastern slopes of the ] mountain range, on the left bank of the ] (Karkar) river.<ref name= RU>{{harvnb|Baranchikov|2016|p= 225}}</ref>


The area that would become Stepanakert was originally an ] settlement named Vararakn.<ref name= Vararakn/> During the ] period, the city was made the capital of the ], becoming a hub for economic and industrial activity.<ref name= hewsen>{{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p= 265}}</ref> In addition, the city became a hotbed for political activity, serving as the center for Armenian demonstrations calling for the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Stepanakert suffered extensive damage following the ] and the outbreak of the ] and passed into the hands of local Armenians with the establishment of the Artsakh republic. The area that would become Stepanakert was originally an Armenian settlement named '''Vararakn'''.<ref name= Vararakn/> During the ] period, the city was made the capital of the ], becoming a hub for economic and industrial activity.<ref name="hewsen">{{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p= 265}}</ref> In addition, the city became a hotbed for political activity, serving as the center for Armenian demonstrations calling for the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Stepanakert suffered extensive damage following the ] and the outbreak of the ] and passed into the hands of local Armenians with the establishment of the ]. During the Soviet and Artsakh periods, the city was a regional center of education and culture, being home to ], musical schools, and a ]. The economy was based on the service industry and had varied enterprises, ], ], and ] being the most important.<ref name= RU/> As of 2021, the population of Stepanakert was 75,000.<ref name= Karen>{{cite web|last= Khachatryan|first= Karen|editor= Stepan Kocharyan|title= Drought leads to "unprecedented" water crisis in Stepanakert city|date= 13 August 2021|website= armenpress.am|location= Stepanakert|publisher= ]|url= https://armenpress.am/eng/amp/1060676|access-date= 18 December 2021|url-status= live|archive-date= 2 July 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220702091347/https://armenpress.am/eng/amp/1060676}}</ref>


In September 2023, Azerbaijani authorities took control of the city, with almost the ] to Armenia ahead of the advancing Azerbaijani forces.<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=Armenians describe journey to safety after fall of their homeland |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-azerbaijan-refugees-b2421023.html |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930060130/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-azerbaijan-refugees-b2421023.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was an abandoned ]{{efn|The city was described as a "ghost town" by several sources following the Azerbaijani takeover.<ref name=eur1>{{cite news|title= Nagorno-Karabakh's abandoned capital transforms under Azerbaijani rule|date= January 11, 2024|work= ]|access-date= February 2, 2024|url= https://eurasianet.org/nagorno-karabakhs-abandoned-capital-transforms-under-azerbaijani-rule|quote= It was once the seat of a de facto government. Now it's a ghost town that plays host to projections of its conquerors' power}}</ref><ref name=nyt1>{{cite news|last= Nechepurenko|first= Ivan|title= What's Left When a Long War Suddenly Ends|date= November 17, 2023|work= ]|issn= 1553-8095|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/17/world/europe/nagorno-karabakh-armenia-azerbaijan-wounds.html|quote= …the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert, also known as Khankendi, a ghost town after its ethnic Armenian residents fled in fear as Azerbaijani troops captured the area.}}</ref><ref name=ocm1>{{cite news|author-last1= Barseghyan|author-first1=
The city is a regional center of education and culture, being home to Artsakh University, musical schools, and a palace of culture. The economy is based on the service industry and has varied enterprises, ], ], and ] being the most important. The inhabitants also engage in producing furniture and footwear.<ref name= RU/> As of 2021, the population of Stepanakert is 75,000.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drought leads to "unprecedented" water crisis in Stepanakert|url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/294985/Drought_leads_to_unprecedented_water_crisis_in_Stepanakert|access-date=2021-08-14|website=PanARMENIAN.Net}}</ref> Almost all of its inhabitants are ethnic Armenians.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru" />
Arshaluys|author-last2= Aghayev|author-first2= Ismi|title= UN mission arrives to empty streets in Nagorno-Karabakh|date= October 2, 2023|publisher= ]|url= https://oc-media.org/un-mission-arrives-to-empty-streets-in-nagorno-karabakh/|quote= Reporting from the regional capital Stepanakert, Al Jazeera describes a 'ghost town' with no one left.}}</ref><ref name=bbc1>{{cite news|last= Gunter|first= Joel|title= Deserted Nagorno-Karabakh reveals aftermath of lightning-fast Armenian defeat|publisher= ]|date= October 3, 2023|url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66995976.amp|quote= The few images that have emerged from Khankendi since the takeover show a ghost town, where possessions appear to have been abandoned in the streets as residents fled.}}</ref>}} for a year; Azerbaijan began settling new permanent residents in the city in September 2024 with the opening of ].<ref name="university">{{cite web|accessdate=14 November 2024|date=24 September 2024|last=Hajiyeva|first=Gunay|url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/classes-begin-at-karabakh-university-in-khankendi-2024-9-23-17/|title=Classes Begin at Karabakh University in Khankendi|website=Caspian News}}</ref>


==Etymology== ==Etymology==
Medieval Armenian sources attest to a settlement in the locale called Vararakn (Վարարակն, meaning "rapid spring" in ]).<ref name="SAE">{{harvnb|Mkrtchyan|1985|pp=124-125}}</ref><ref name= hewsen>{{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p= 265}}</ref> Vararakn remained the local Armenian name for the town until 1923.<ref name=DP> {{harvnb|Davies|2017}}; {{harvnb|Payaslian|2008|p= 174}}</ref> Medieval Armenian sources attest to a settlement in the locale called ''Vararakn'' ({{Langx|hy|Վարարակն|lit=rapid spring}}).<ref name="SAE">{{harvnb|Mkrtchyan|1985|pp=124–125}}</ref><ref name="hewsen"/> In 1847, the village was officially renamed from Vararakn to Khankendi by the Russian authorities;<ref name=1847namechange/> however, Vararakn remained the local Armenian name for the town until 1923.<ref name=DP>{{harvnb|Davies|2017}}; {{harvnb|Payaslian|2008|p= 174}}; {{harvnb|Saparov|2017|p= 539}}</ref>


Most Azerbaijani sources claim that the settlement was built in late 18th century, as a place of rest for the heads of the ]. In the first years, it was known as "Khan's village" ({{lang-az|Xanın kəndi}}) because only the khan's family and his relatives lived there. By the 19th century, the settlement was renamed Khankendi ("village of the khan" in ]).<ref name=hewsen/><ref name=AZ/> Most Azerbaijani sources claim that the settlement was built in late 18th century, as a place of rest for the heads of the ]. In the first years, it was known as "Khan's village" ({{langx|az|Xanın kəndi}}) because only the khan's family and his relatives lived there. By the 19th century, the settlement was renamed ''Khankendi'' ("village of the khan" in ]).<ref name=AZ/>


The town was renamed Stepanakert ("the city of Stepan") in 1923, after Armenian Bolshevik revolutionary ]. The name is formed from the words Stepan ({{lang-hy|Ստեփան}}) and "kert" ({{lang-hy|կերտ}}, meaning "created").<ref name=hewsen/> The town was renamed ''Stepanakert'' ("city of Stepan") in 1923, after Armenian ] revolutionary ]. The name is formed from the words ''Stepan'' ({{langx|hy|Ստեփան}}) and ''kert'' ({{langx|hy|կերտ|lit=created}}).<ref name=hewsen/>


==History== ==History==
===Founding and Soviet era=== ===Founding and Soviet era===
]
]
According to medieval Armenian sources, the settlement was originally an Armenian village named Vararakn ({{lang-hy|Վարարակն}}).<ref name= Vararakn>{{harvnb|Everett-Heath|2019|p= X}}; {{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p=265}}; {{harvnb|Adalian|2010|p=553}}; {{harvnb|Mkrtchyan|1985|pp= 124-125}}; {{harvnb|Mutafian|Chorbajian|Donabédian|1994|p= 139}}; {{harvnb|Kuciukian|2003}}; {{harvnb|Baranchikov|2016|p= 225}} </ref> From the 10th-16th centuries, the settlement was a part of the Armenian ]. Over the centuries, it would successively pass into the hands of the ], the ], before passing under the control of Russia in 1822.<ref name= RU/> According to medieval Armenian sources, the settlement was originally an Armenian village named Vararakn ({{langx|hy|Վարարակն}}).<ref name= Vararakn>{{harvnb|Everett-Heath|2019|p= X}}; {{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p=265}}; {{harvnb|Adalian|2010|p=553}}; {{harvnb|Mkrtchyan|1985|pp= 124–125}}; {{harvnb|Mutafian|Chorbajian|Donabédian|1994|p= 139}}; {{harvnb|Kuciukian|2003}}; {{harvnb|Baranchikov|2016|p= 225}}</ref> From the 10th–16th centuries, the settlement was a part of the Armenian ]. Over the centuries, it would successively pass into the hands of the ] and the ] before coming under the control of the ] in 1822.<ref name= RU/>


Under the Russian Empire, the town was a part of the Shusha district of the ].<ref name= RU/> According to the 19th century author ], in 1826, the local Armenian ] met with the Persian crown prince ], who had invaded Karabakh with his army,<ref>{{harvnb|Busse|1987|pp= 285-286}}</ref> in the village to reconcile relations with the ] and ensure the safety of the Karabakh Armenian population.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagobian|Melkonian|2020|pp= 41-46}}</ref> In 1847, Vararakn was a village of about 132 houses, consisting of 80 Armenian houses, 52 Russian houses, an Armenian church, and a cemetery.<ref name=Hakobyan>{{harvnb|Hakobyan|Melik-Bakhshyan|Barseghyan|1998|p= 773}}</ref> That same year, the village was renamed from Vararakn to Khankendi.<ref>{{harvnb|Everett-Heath|2019|p= X}}; {{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p= 265}}</ref> By 1886, there were 52 houses in the settlement. The population of Khankendi consisted of retired soldiers and their descendants, who belonged to the ]. The population was engaged in agriculture, as well as various crafts, carriage, the renting of apartments (mainly to military personnel), and so on.<ref>{{harvnb|Ismail-Zadeh|1976|p= 20}}</ref> After 1898, the tsarist government turned Khankendi into a Russian ].<ref name=AZ>{{harvnb|Kuliev|1987|p= 49}}</ref> The garrison consisted of ], hospitals, and a church, as well as, several houses where officers' families and a small local population, who supplied the military units with food, lived. The local population consisted of Armenians and Azerbaijanis.<ref name=NK>{{harvnb|Kocharyan|1925|p= 46}}</ref> In the Russian Empire, the town was a part of the ] of the ].<ref name= RU/> According to the 19th-century author ], in 1826, the local Armenian ]s met with the Persian crown prince ], who had invaded Karabakh with his army,<ref>{{harvnb|Busse|1983|pp= 285–286}}</ref> in the village to reconcile with the ] and ensure the safety of the Karabakh Armenian population.<ref>{{harvnb|Hagobian|Melkonian|2020|pp= 41–46}}</ref> In 1847, Vararakn was a village of about 132 houses, consisting of 80 Armenian households, 52 Russian households, an Armenian church, and a cemetery.<ref name=Hakobyan>{{harvnb|Hakobyan|Melik-Bakhshyan|Barseghyan|1998|p= 773}}</ref> That same year, the village was renamed from Vararakn to Khankendi.<ref name=1847namechange>{{harvnb|Everett-Heath|2019|p= X}}; {{harvnb|Hewsen|2001|p= 265}}</ref> By 1886, there were 52 houses in the settlement. The population of Khankendi consisted of retired soldiers and their descendants, who belonged to the ]. The population was engaged in agriculture, as well as various crafts, carriage, the renting of apartments (mainly to military personnel), and so on.<ref>{{harvnb|Ismail-Zadeh|1976|p= 20}}</ref> After 1898, the tsarist government turned Khankendi into a Russian ].<ref name=AZ>{{harvnb|Kuliev|1987|p= 49}}</ref> The garrison consisted of ], hospitals, and a church, as well as several houses where officers' families and a small local population, who supplied the military units with food, lived. The local population consisted of Armenians and Azerbaijanis.<ref name=NK>{{harvnb|Kocharyan|1925|p= 46}}</ref>


]
Following the massacre of the Armenian population of ] in March 1920, the city received an influx of Armenians which would then go on to become the majority of the population.<ref>{{harvnb|Adalian|2010|p= 553}}</ref> In the summer of 1920, the city was occupied by part of the ].<ref name= RU/> In 1923, Khankendi was renamed Stepanakert by the Soviet government in honor of ], a fallen Bolshevik party member and leader of the ]. Since the Shusha massacre had resulted in major destruction and mass killing of its Armenian population by Azerbaijani forces, the former regional capital, Stepanakert, was made the capital of the ] (NKAO).<ref name=hewsen/> In time, Stepanakert grew to become the region's most important city (a status it received in 1940). Its population rose from 10,459 in 1939 to 33,000 in 1978.<ref name="hewsen" />
In February 1920, after a body thought to be of an Azerbaijani soldier was found, an ] riot took place in the village that claimed several hundred lives.<ref>{{harvnb|Saparov|2012|p= 291}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Libaridian|1988|p= 29}}</ref> Following the ] of ] in March 1920, the city received an influx of Armenians; as a result, Armenians formed the majority of the population from that time onwards.<ref>{{harvnb|Adalian|2010|p= 553}}</ref> In the summer of 1920, the city was occupied by part of the ].<ref name= RU/> In 1923, Khankendi was renamed Stepanakert by the Soviet government in honor of ], a fallen Bolshevik party member and leader of the ]. The former regional capital was Shusha. However, following the depopulation of Armenians in Shusha, the capital of the ] (NKAO) was sited in Stepanakert.<ref name=hewsen/> At the time of the formation of the NKAO, Stepanakert was a ] settlement, where the number of surviving buildings barely reached 10 to 15. Some of the buildings were completely destroyed, others lacked doors and windows, while only walls remained from a number of buildings. During the first years of the oblast, some of the buildings were restored and many were rebuilt, roads were improved, and electricity and telephone communications were installed in the city.<ref>{{harvnb|Kocharyan|1925|pp= 67–68}}</ref> In time, Stepanakert grew to become the region's most important city (a status it received in 1940). Its population rose from 10,459 in 1939 to 33,000 in 1978.<ref name="hewsen" />


In 1926, municipal authorities adopted a new city layout designed by ]; two additional designs for expansion were approved in the 1930s and 1960s, both of which retained Tamanian's initial plan.<ref name="SAE"/> Several schools and two polyclinics were established, and an Armenian drama theater was founded in 1932 and named after ].<ref name=hewsen/> Stepanakert served as Nagorno-Karabakh's main economic hub, and by the mid-1980s there were nineteen factories in operation in the city.<ref name="SAE"/>{{CSS image crop|Image=|bSize=1200|cWidth=500|cHeight=600|oTop=290|oLeft=340|Location=left|Description=Stepanakert (in the center) on a Soviet topographic map (1981)}} In 1926, municipal authorities adopted a new city layout designed by ]; two additional designs for expansion were approved in the 1930s and 1960s, both of which retained Tamanian's initial plan.<ref name="SAE"/> Several schools and two polyclinics were established, and an Armenian drama theater was founded in 1932 and named after ].<ref name=hewsen/> In 1960, the ensemble of the central square of Stepanakert was built with the building of the regional committee (now the NKR government).<ref name=GSE>{{harvnb|Prokhorov|1977}}</ref> This square, then named after Lenin, became the arena of many rallies demanding the transfer of the NKAO to the Armenian SSR. By 1968, the first outbreak of ] occurred in Stepanakert. In the city, a trial was held over an Azerbaijani director of the city school who was accused of murdering an Armenian girl. The Armenians, who considered the verdict of the Azerbaijani judge too lenient, gathered outside the court building and burned the car which the criminal and judge were in.<ref>{{harvnb|Zubkova|2004|p= 22}}</ref>


Stepanakert served as Nagorno-Karabakh's main economic hub, and by the mid-1980s there were nineteen factories in operation in the city, including an electrical and asphalt plant.<ref name="SAE" /> By the end of the Soviet era, Stepanakert had an agricultural technical school, a ], a medical and music school, a local history museum, and a drama theater.<ref name="GSE" />{{CSS image crop|Image=|bSize=1200|cWidth=500|cHeight=600|oTop=290|oLeft=340|Location=left|Description=Stepanakert (in the center) on a Soviet topographic map (1981)}}
===First Nagorno-Karabakh War and independence===

]]]
===First Nagorno-Karabakh War and Armenian control===
{{Main|Stepanakert in the Republic of Artsakh}}

].]]
] ]

The political and economic reforms that General Secretary ] undertook in 1985 saw a marked decentralization of Soviet authority. Armenians, in both the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh, viewed Gorbachev's reform program as an opportunity to unite the two together. On 20 February 1988, tens of thousands of Armenians gathered to demonstrate in Stepanakert's Lenin Square (now ]) to demand that the region be joined to Armenia. On the same day, the Supreme Soviet of Nagorno-Karabakh voted to join the Armenian SSR, a move strongly opposed by the Soviet Azerbaijani authorities.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaufman|2001|p=61}}</ref> The political and economic reforms that General Secretary ] undertook in 1985 saw a marked decentralization of Soviet authority. Armenians, in both the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh, viewed Gorbachev's reform program as an opportunity to unite the two together. On 20 February 1988, tens of thousands of Armenians gathered to demonstrate in Stepanakert's Lenin Square (now ]) to demand that the region be joined to Armenia. On the same day, the Supreme Soviet of Nagorno-Karabakh voted to join the Armenian SSR, a move strongly opposed by the Soviet Azerbaijani authorities.<ref>{{harvnb|Kaufman|2001|p=61}}</ref>


Relations between Stepankert's Armenians and Azerbaijanis, who supported the Azerbaijani government's position, deteriorated in the following years. ] in the city in September 1988, encompassing physical attacks and burning of property, forced nearly all Azerbaijanis to flee the city. The Soviet Army took up positions in the city and announced a curfew three days later.<ref>{{in lang|ru}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810051716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3681000/3681079.stm |date=10 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{in lang|ru}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010193224/http://karabakhrecords.info/documents_officials_zakluchenie-komiteta-po-pravam-cheloveka-rsfsr.html |date=10 October 2019 }}</ref> In 1990 the army dispatched special forces units and various other elements to Stepanakert in order to prevent its takeover by Azerbaijani forces.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mir-znaniy.com/raspad-sssr-chernyj-yanvar-v-baku/ |title=The collapse of the USSR. Black January in Baku |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415141517/http://mir-znaniy.com/raspad-sssr-chernyj-yanvar-v-baku/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Relations between Stepanakert's Armenians and Azerbaijanis, who supported the Azerbaijani government's position, deteriorated in the following years. ] in the city in September 1988, encompassing physical attacks and burning of property, forced nearly all Azerbaijanis to flee the city. The ] took up positions in the city and announced a curfew three days later.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3681000/3681079.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810051716/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/russian/news/newsid_3681000/3681079.stm|title=Карабах: хронология конфликта|date=29 August 2005|archive-date=10 August 2011|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://karabakhrecords.info/documents_officials_zakluchenie-komiteta-po-pravam-cheloveka-rsfsr.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010193224/http://karabakhrecords.info/documents_officials_zakluchenie-komiteta-po-pravam-cheloveka-rsfsr.html|title=Заключение Комитета ВС РСФСР по правам человека|archive-date=10 October 2019|website=karabakhrecords.info}}</ref> In 1990 the army dispatched special forces units and various other elements to Stepanakert in order to prevent its takeover by Azerbaijani forces.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mir-znaniy.com/raspad-sssr-chernyj-yanvar-v-baku/ |title=The collapse of the USSR. Black January in Baku |date=15 April 2020 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415141517/http://mir-znaniy.com/raspad-sssr-chernyj-yanvar-v-baku/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


After Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Stepanakert was renamed Khankendi by the Azerbaijani government. Fighting broke out over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, which, after three years of war, resulted in Armenian control of the region and a connecting corridor to Armenia to the west. Prior to the conflict, Stepanakert was the largest city of the NKAO, with a population of 70,000 out of a total 189,000 (Armenians at the time comprised 75% of the region's total population).<ref>{{harvnb|Lobell|Mauceri|2004|p= 58}}</ref> By early 1992, that figure had dropped to 50,000.<ref name="TIME">Carney, James. " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081130085826/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975278,00.html |date=30 November 2008 }}." '']''. 13 April 1992. Retrieved 2 August 2007.</ref> After Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Stepanakert was renamed Khankendi by the Azerbaijani government. Fighting broke out over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, which, after three years of war, resulted in Armenian control of the region and a connecting corridor to Armenia to the west. Prior to the conflict, Stepanakert was the largest city of the NKAO, with a population of 70,000 out of a total 189,000 (Armenians at the time comprised 75% of the region's total population).<ref>{{harvnb|Lobell|Mauceri|2004|p= 58}}</ref> By early 1992, that figure had dropped to 50,000.<ref name="TIME">Carney, James. " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081130085826/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975278,00.html |date=30 November 2008 }}." '']''. 13 April 1992. Retrieved 2 August 2007.</ref>
] tank memorial from the ].]] ] tank memorial from the ].]]
During the war, the city suffered immense damage from ], especially in early 1992 when the Azerbaijanis positioned ] rocket artillery in Shusha and rained down missiles over Stepanakert. A journalist for '']'' noted in an April 1992 article that "scarcely a single building escaped damage in Stepanakert."<ref name="TIME"/> It was not until 9 May 1992, with the ], that the ground bombardment ceased. The city, nevertheless, continued to suffer aerial bombardment until the end of the war. During the war, the city suffered immense damage from ], especially in early 1992 when the Azerbaijanis positioned ] rocket artillery in Shusha and rained down missiles over Stepanakert. A journalist for '']'' noted in an April 1992 article that "scarcely a single building escaped damage in Stepanakert."<ref name="TIME"/> It was not until 9 May 1992, with the ], that the ground bombardment ceased. The city, nevertheless, continued to suffer aerial bombardment until the end of the war. As a result, the majority of the city was in a severely damaged state.<ref>{{harvnb|Uhlig|1993|pp= 47–52}}</ref> As of 2016, the city had not been completely restored from the war.<ref name= RU/>

The city ] once again during the ] in 2020. Residential areas were continuously hit by the ] with ]s throughout the war, starting on the first day of fighting, and residents were urged to use the city's ]s.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005020310/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/10/02/karabakh-main-city-struck-as-armenia-says-ready-for-mediation-a71634 |date=5 October 2020 }}." '']''. 2 October 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-23|title=Azerbaijan: Cluster Munitions Used in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023084426/https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Civilians must be protected from use of banned cluster bombs|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=www.amnesty.org|date=5 October 2020|language=en|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126045259/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|url-status=live}}</ref> As Azerbaijani forces advanced on the city of ], the ] was shut down by ] authorities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stepanakert prepares for the last stand {{!}} Eurasianet|url=https://eurasianet.org/stepanakert-prepares-for-the-last-stand|access-date=2020-11-12|website=eurasianet.org|language=en|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201109155748/https://eurasianet.org/stepanakert-prepares-for-the-last-stand|url-status=live}}</ref>

With ] {{convert|15|km|abbr=on}} from the capital, a ] was signed on 10 November. As part of the agreement, ]n peacekeepers were deployed to the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/64384|title=Statement by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and President of the Russian Federation|website=]|date=10 November 2020|access-date=18 December 2021|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111212431/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/64384|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the war, the population of Stepanakert swelled to 75,000 residents as a result of some 10,000 to 15,000 displaced people who lost their homes elsewhere in the Republic of Artsakh during the war.<ref name= Karen/>

===Control by Azerbaijan===
] raised the ] over the city on 15 October 2023]]

On 19–20 September 2023 Azerbaijan launched a new ], which ended in a ceasefire and led to a ] a few days later. By 29 September 2023, police of the ] left all their weapons in Stepanakert and completely abandoned the region.<ref name=taz1>{{cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3804718.html |title=So-called "police" of separatists, abandons weapons in Khankendi, leaves Karabakh |publisher=] |date=29 September 2023 |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930011012/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3804718.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ] vehicles began patrolling the area on 29 September and the ] was placed on the city's '']'' monument.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.businesslend.com/news/presidential-representative-in-karabakh-shares-image-from-azerbaijans-khankendi/ |title=Presidential consultant in Karabakh shares picture from Azerbaijan's Khankendi |website=Businesselend.com |date=29 September 2023 |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930010259/https://www.businesslend.com/sports/lisandro-martinez-could-be-out-for-two-months-in-latest-man-utd-injury-blow/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-police-takes-up-serving-in-khankendi-video |title=Azerbaijani police takes up serving in Khankendi |website=News.az |date=29 September 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930010245/https://news.az/news/azerbaijani-police-takes-up-serving-in-khankendi-video |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="independent.co.uk"/> From 1 October, Azerbaijani officials began working from the former Artsakh police headquarters,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3805484.html |title=Azerbaijani authorities provide social, migration services for Karabakh Armenians |website=] |date=1 October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002014322/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3805484.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Azerbaijan took over responsibility for medical services in the city<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.az/news/azerbaijan-takes-measures-to-arrange-medical-services-in-khankendi-photo |title=Azerbaijan takes measures to arrange medical services in Khankendi |website=News.az |date=1 October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006144739/https://news.az/news/azerbaijan-takes-measures-to-arrange-medical-services-in-khankendi-photo |url-status=live }}</ref> and its area was covered by the Azerbaijani mobile networks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.az/news/azercell-extends-its-coverage-to-khankendi |title=Azercell extends its coverage to Khankendi! |website=News.az |date=1 October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005195924/https://news.az/news/azercell-extends-its-coverage-to-khankendi |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://report.az/en/ict/nar-network-in-khankandi-city/ |title=Nar network in Khankandi city! |website=Report.az |date=1 October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005195928/https://report.az/en/ict/nar-network-in-khankandi-city/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An ] news crew reported from the city later that day, showing deserted streets in what the reporter described as "A ghost town with no soul left".<ref name=alj1>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/1/un-team-in-nagorno-karabakh-a-first-in-30-years-as-ethnic-armenians-flee |title=UN team in Nagorno-Karabakh, a first in 30 years, as ethnic Armenians flee |website=Aljazeera.com |date=1 October 2023 |access-date=2 October 2023 |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002001646/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/1/un-team-in-nagorno-karabakh-a-first-in-30-years-as-ethnic-armenians-flee |url-status=live }}</ref>

After the offensive and Armenian exodus, sources reported that Azerbaijani authorities issued a map of Stepanakert renaming one of the streets after ], one of the main perpetrators of the ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vincent |first1=Faustine |title=Azerbaijan reissues Nagorno-Karabakh map with street named after Turkish leader of 1915 Armenian genocide |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/04/azerbaijan-reissues-map-of-nagorno-karabakh-with-street-named-after-turkish-leader-of-1915-armenian-genocide_6146889_4.html |access-date=5 October 2023 |work=Le Monde.fr |date=4 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004235346/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/04/azerbaijan-reissues-map-of-nagorno-karabakh-with-street-named-after-turkish-leader-of-1915-armenian-genocide_6146889_4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zaman |first1=Amberin |title=Azerbaijan eyes Iran, Armenia borderlands after 'voluntary' exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/azerbaijan-eyes-iran-armenia-borderlands-after-voluntary-exodus-nagorno-karabakh |access-date=5 October 2023 |work=www.al-monitor.com |date=3 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005012645/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/azerbaijan-eyes-iran-armenia-borderlands-after-voluntary-exodus-nagorno-karabakh |url-status=live }}</ref> An Azerbaijani official disputed this during a case at the ], saying that "No streets in Khankandi have been renamed".<ref>{{cite web |date=12 October 2023 |title=Public sitting held on Thursday 12 October 2023, at 4 p.m., at the Peace Palace, President Donoghue presiding, in the case concerning Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan) |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/180/180-20231012-ora-02-00-bi.pdf |accessdate=13 October 2023 |publisher=] |quote=...this morning, Armenia showed images of a map that allegedly includes "new Azerbaijani" names on "renamed" streets in Khankandi. Let me be clear on that. No streets in Khankandi have been renamed. The social media post on which Armenia relies was originally posted in August 2021...}}</ref>

President Ilham Aliyev visited the city on 15 October and officially raised the flag of Azerbaijan at the building that was previously used as the Artsakh Presidential Palace.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231015-azerbaijan-president-raises-national-flag-in-nagorno-karabakh-capital |title=Azerbaijan's president raises national flag in Nagorno-Karabakh capital |date=15 October 2023 |access-date=16 October 2023 |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016061810/https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20231015-azerbaijan-president-raises-national-flag-in-nagorno-karabakh-capital |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2023, the first football match since the resumption of Azerbaijani control was played between ] and ] from ] in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://qafqazinfo.az/news/detail/xankendide-qarabag-qazandi-video-yenilenib-422097|date=21 December 2023|accessdate=2 January 2024|title=Xankəndidə "Qarabağ" qazandı|website=qafqazinfo.az}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/karabakh-region-hosts-first-football-match-post-armenian-occupation-2023-12-21-0/|title=Karabakh Region Hosts First Football Match Post-Armenian Occupation|last=Turksoy|first=Timucin|date=21 December 2023|accessdate=2 January 2024|website=Caspian News}}</ref>

In the following months, Azerbaijani authorities dismantled monuments symbolizing Artsakh, including the Giant Cross and the Eagle Monument,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Azerbaijan Toppled the Cross in Stepanakert |url=https://monumentwatch.org/en/alerts/azerbaijan-toppled-the-cross-in-stepanakert/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=Monumentwatch.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=Azerbaijan destroys Karabakh capital Stepanakert's Eagle Monument built during Soviet era |url=https://news.am/eng/news/807641.html |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=]}}</ref> and statues of prominent Armenians in the city, among them, ] (after whom Stepanakert is named),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-21 |title=Azerbaijanis Vandalize Statue of Stepan Shahumyan in Stepanakert |url=https://monumentwatch.org/en/alerts/azerbaijanis-vandalize-statue-of-stepan-shahumyan-in-stepanakert/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=Monumentwatch.org}}</ref> ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Azerbaijan dismantles Charles Aznavour monument in Stepanakert |url=https://en.armradio.am/2024/02/28/azerbaijan-dismantles-charles-aznavour-monument-in-stepanakert/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=]}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-29 |title=Azerbaijan Destroys Alexander Myasnikyan Statue in Stepanakert |url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2024/02/29/azerbaijan-destroys-alexander-myasnikyan-statue-in-stepanakert/|access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=]}}</ref>

In early March 2024, Azerbaijani authorities demolished the ] Building and the ] Building.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Azerbaijanis Destroy Artsakh National Assembly Building |url=https://www.thearmenianreport.com/post/azerbaijanis-destroy-artsakh-national-assembly-building |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=The Armenian Report}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Azerbaijanis destroy Karabakh parliament building |url=https://news.am/eng/news/810490.html |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=]}}</ref> In November 2024, reports emerged that Azerbaijan demolished the historical Armenian center of the city.<ref name="nov2024-1">{{Cite web|url=https://observers.france24.com/en/how-azerbaijan-erasing-traces-ancient-armenian-presence-nagorno-karabakh|title=How Azerbaijan is erasing traces of the ancient Armenian presence in Nagorno-Karabakh|website=observers.france24.com|date=2024-11-07}}</ref><ref name="nov2024-2">{{Cite web|url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2024/10/31/azerbaijan-razes-entire-historic-center-of-stepanakert/|title=Azerbaijan Razes Entire Historic Center of Stepanakert|website=mirrorspectator.com|date=2024-10-31}}</ref>

==Culture and economy==
{{main|Stepanakert in the Republic of Artsakh}}
]'']]
]]]
The Vahram Papazyan Drama Theater of Stepanakert was founded in 1932. In 1967, the monumental complex of Stepanakert known as '']'' was erected to the north of Stepanakert,<ref>{{harvnb|Holding|2006|p= 210}}</ref> It is widely regarded as a symbol of the Armenian heritage of the historic ].<ref>{{harvnb|Chorbajian|2001|p= 140}}</ref> After the independence of Armenia, many cultural and youth centres were reopened. The cultural palace of the city was named after ].<ref>{{cite web|title= Artsakh president attends Aznavour commemoration event in Stepanakert|website= ]|url= https://www.tert.am/en/news/2018/10/06/bako-sahakyan/2812133|date= 6 October 2018|access-date= 20 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220101637/https://www.tert.am/en/news/2018/10/06/bako-sahakyan/2812133}}</ref>

Stepanakert was home to the Mesrop Mashtots Republican Library opened in 1924, Artsakh History Museum opened in 1939, Hovhannes Tumanyan Children's Library opened in 1947, Stepanakert National Gallery opened in 1982, and the Memorial Museum of the Martyred Liberators opened in 2002. A new cultural complex of the Armenian heritage of Artsakh was under construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://azator.gr/?p=3114|title=Ստեփանակերտի մէջ նոր յուշահամալիր կը կառուցուի – Azat Or|date=17 March 2017|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111400/http://azator.gr/?p=3114|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ], based in Stepanakert, had an important collection of ancient artifacts and Christian manuscripts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://artsakh.travel/en/museums/47/|title=MUSEUMS – Karabakh Travel|publisher= Tourism department of ministry of economy of NKR|website=artsakh.travel|language=en|access-date=2018-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406164238/http://artsakh.travel/en/museums/47/|archive-date=2018-04-06}}</ref>

===Education===
]
Stepanakert was the center of higher education in Artsakh.<ref name= RU/> Five higher educational institutions operated in the city:
* ], founded in 1969 as a branch of the Baku Pedagogical Institute. In 1973, it was renamed Stepanakert Pedagogical Institute and following the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, in 1992, it received its current status. The university offered courses spread across seven departments and has 4,500 students.<ref>{{in lang|hy}} Anon. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927215801/http://www.armtown.com/news/am/aza/20060829/3300/ |date=27 September 2011 }}." ''Azat Artsakh''. 29 August 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2009.</ref>
* Stepanakert campus of the ].<ref>{{cite web|title= VALERY A. ALEXANYAN|publisher= Official website of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)|url= http://www.nankr.am/en/2387|website= nankr.am|access-date= 20 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220102045/http://www.nankr.am/en/2387|url-status= live}}</ref>
* Grigor Narekatsi University (private).<ref name=edu>{{harvnb|Vardanian|2009|p= 45}}</ref>
* Mesrop Mashtots University (private).<ref name= edu/>
* Gyurjyan Institute for Applied Arts (private).<ref name= edu/>

Many new schools in Stepanakert were opened from the late 1990s to 2010 with the help of the ].<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723110306/http://asbarez.com/85320/armenia-fund-opens-600-student-school-in-stepanakert/ |date=23 July 2011 }}." '']''. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.</ref> Existing schools were also renovated with donations from the diaspora.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.armeniafund.org/project/no-9-school-stepanakert/|title= No. 9 School, Stepanakert|website= armeniafund.org|publisher= ]|access-date= 21 December 2021|archive-date= 21 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211221062019/https://www.armeniafund.org/project/no-9-school-stepanakert/|url-status= live}}</ref>

The Stepanakert branch of ] was opened in September 2015, as a result of continued cooperation between the Tumo Centre and the ], with the support of mobile operator Karabakh Telecom.<ref name=asbarez>{{cite news|title=Tumo Center Opens in Stepanakert|url=http://asbarez.com/139378/tumo-center-opens-in-stepanakert/|agency=Asbarez|date=1 September 2015|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006210905/http://asbarez.com/139378/tumo-center-opens-in-stepanakert/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://armenpress.am/eng/news/815236/stepanakert-tumo-center-is-planned-to-be-launched-in-september.html|title=Stepanakert "Tumo" Center is planned to be launched in September|date=13 August 2015|publisher=Armenpress|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118161402/http://armenpress.am/eng/news/815236/stepanakert-tumo-center-is-planned-to-be-launched-in-september.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sport===
]]]
] was a popular sport in Nagorno-Karabakh and the city has a renovated football stadium. Since the mid-1990s, football teams from Karabakh started taking part in some domestic competitions in ]. ] is the football club that represents the city of Stepanakert. The Artsakh national football league was launched in 2009.<ref name= Connor>{{cite web|last= O'Connor|first= Robert|title= Football and hope in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic – a forgotten region fighting Fifa's sanctions|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/football-and-hope-in-the-nagornokarabakh-republic-a7692936.html?amp|location= Stepanakert|publisher= Independent Digital News & Media Ltd|work= ]|date= 20 April 2017|issn= 0951-9467|access-date= 20 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220233929/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/football-and-hope-in-the-nagornokarabakh-republic-a7692936.html?amp|url-status= live}}</ref>

The non-] affiliated ] was formed in 2012 and played their first competitive match against the unrecognized ] in ] on 17 September 2012. The match ended with a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{in lang|hy}} " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108010119/http://www.tert.am/am/news/2012/09/25/arcaxabxazia/ |date=8 November 2014 }} ," ''Tert.am'' 25 September 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.</ref><ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195007/https://sport.news.am/eng/news/11346/armenia%E2%80%99s-newly-formed-second-national-football-team-to-face-abkhazia.html |date=17 October 2017 }}." ''News.am'' 14 September 2012.</ref> The following month, on 21 October 2012, Artsakh played the return match at the ] against Abkhazia, winning it with a result of 3–0.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225070942/http://asbarez.com/106010/artsakh-soccer-team-beats-abkhazia-3-0/ |date=25 December 2012 }}." ''Asbarez''. 22 October 2012.</ref>

There was also interest in other sports, including ] and ].

Artsakh athletes also took part with the representing teams and athletes in the ], organized in Armenia.<ref>{{cite news|last= Harutyunyan|first= Aneta|title= Artsakh ready for the opening of 7th Pan-Armenian Games|url= https://armenpress.am/eng/amp/983652|location= Yerevan|publisher= ]|date= 2 August 2019|access-date= 21 December 2021|archive-date= 2 July 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220702084438/https://armenpress.am/eng/amp/983652|url-status= live}}</ref>

As an unrecognized entity, the athletes of Artsakh competed in international sports competitions under the flag of Armenia.<ref name= Connor/>

===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{main|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Artsakh}}
Stepanakert was ] with:
* ], United States: On 25 September 2005, Montebello, California and Stepanakert became sister cities. This prompted a complaint by the ambassador of Azerbaijan to the ], Hafiz Pashayev, who sent a letter to California leaders, stating that the decision jeopardized peace talks between his country and Armenia.<ref name="PamWright">Wright, Pam. "Montebello's newest Sister City program has come under fire from an ambassador for the Republic of Azerbaijan." '']''. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 2 August 2007.</ref> The letter was sent to then-California governor ], who deferred the letter to Montebello mayor Bill Molinari since it concerned a local, not a state, issue. Molinari responded to Pashayev that the city would go ahead with its plans to inaugurate Stepanakert under the sister city program.<ref name="PamWright"/> Stepanakert's relationship with Montebello is aimed at revitalizing the capital's economic infrastructure and building cultural and educational ties, as well as developing trade and health care between the two cities. Azerbaijan has described this as a contradictory foreign policy of the United States that supports the NKR government and Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.<ref>"Azeri pressure group appeals to US envoy over twinning reports." '']'' in ''BBC Monitoring Central Asia''. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 2 August 2007.</ref>
* ], Brazil: Since June 18, 2018, Law 3767/18 has made Eternal Armenia the name that declares Sister Cities the Municipalities of Mairiporã, State of São Paulo, and Stepanakert, capital of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic which triggered an alert from Itamaraty, Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the attitude of the Municipality as Brazil does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2019/02/01/leis-aprovadas-no-interior-de-sp-levam-itamaraty-a-alertar-cidades-sobre-mal-estar-com-o-azerbaijao.ghtml|title=Leis aprovadas em SP levam Itamaraty a alertar cidades sobre mal-estar com o Azerbaijão|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.g1.com.br|date=February 2019 |access-date=1 January 2020|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101205858/https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2019/02/01/leis-aprovadas-no-interior-de-sp-levam-itamaraty-a-alertar-cidades-sobre-mal-estar-com-o-azerbaijao.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Friendship declarations===
* On 22 May 1998, Stepanakert and the commune of ] in ] signed a Friendship Declaration.<ref name="nkr.am">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nkr.am/en/international-cooperation |title=International Cooperation &#124; NKR |access-date=9 October 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301004114/http://www.nkr.am/en/international-cooperation |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 28 September 2012, Stepanakert and ], Armenia, the capitals of the two Armenian republics, became friends after signing a partnership agreement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partner cities|url=https://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/partner-cities/|publisher=Yerevan|access-date=2020-06-25|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819225714/https://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/partner-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On 15 September 2014, ], Spain, and Stepanakert signed a cooperation agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2014/09/15/stepanakert-donostia/?sw|title=Stepanakert, Donostia sign cooperation agreement|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.panorama.am|access-date=6 November 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070458/http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2014/09/15/stepanakert-donostia/?sw|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On 17 May 2015, Stepanakert and the commune of ] in France signed a Friendship Declaration.<ref name="nkr.am"/>
* On 3 February 2016, Stepanakert signed a Friendship Declaration with the municipality of ], ].<ref name="nkr.am"/>
* On 23 July 2019, Stepanakert signed a Friendship Declaration with the ], ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asbarez.com/183009/australias-ryde-forms-friendship-city-with-stepanakert/|title=Australia's Ryde Forms Friendship City with Stepanakert|first=Asbarez|last=LLC|website=www.asbarez.com|date=23 July 2019 |access-date=24 July 2019|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724121345/http://asbarez.com/183009/australias-ryde-forms-friendship-city-with-stepanakert/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
The late-19th-century church of Vararakn was destroyed in the 1930s to build the Stepanakert Drama Theatre. Throughout the rest of the Soviet era, there were no traditional churches in Stepanakert, although most of the population of the city were members of the ].<ref name= RDA>{{harvnb|Kiesling|Kojian|2005|p= Stepanakert}}</ref>

The church of Surp Hakob (or ''Saint James'') was opened in 2007; it remained the only open church in the city until 2019. The church was financed by Nerses Yepremian from ]. The church was consecrated on 9 May 2007, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the capture of Shusha by Armenian forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armtown.com/news/en/aza/20070510/2029/ |title=ST JAMES CHURCH WAS OPENED IN STEPANAKERT |last=Grigorian |first=Laura |publisher=Armenian News |date=10 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404134417/http://www.armtown.com/news/en/aza/20070510/2029/ |archive-date=4 April 2012 }}</ref>

The construction of the ] was launched on 19 July 2006. The cost of the project was expected to be around US$2 million and the architect of the church is Gagik Yeranosyan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stepanakert-church.org/index.php?lang=en|title=The church of Stepanakert|website=www.stepanakert-church.org|access-date=18 November 2015|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007145642/http://www.stepanakert-church.org/index.php?lang=en}}</ref> However, the construction process was slow due to a lack of financial resources. The inauguration of the church was expected to take place in September 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.1tv.am/hy/news/2015/01/06/%D5%8D%D5%BF%D5%A5%D6%83%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BF%D5%AB-%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B5%D6%80-%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B3%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%81%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4%D5%A8-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%A5%D5%AC-%D5%A7-%D5%BE%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BB%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D6%83%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AC%D5%AB%D5%B6/6354|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119100032/http://www.1tv.am/hy/news/2015/01/06/%D5%8D%D5%BF%D5%A5%D6%83%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BF%D5%AB-%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B5%D6%80-%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B3%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%81%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4%D5%A8-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%A5%D5%AC-%D5%A7-%D5%BE%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BB%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D6%83%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AC%D5%AB%D5%B6/6354|title=The construction of Stepanakert Cathedral is at its final stages|archive-date=19 November 2015}}</ref> Construction finished and the church was opened in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/505747.html|title=Official ceremony of consecration and opening Cathedral of Intercession takes place in Stepanakert|website=news.am|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408150422/https://news.am/eng/news/505747.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

There was small community of Armenian Evangelicals with around 500 members. The only Armenian evangelical church in Artsakh was located in Stepanakert. The Evangelical community supported many schools, hospitals and other institutions through the help of the ].<ref>{{cite web|last= Ghanalanyan|first= Tigran|title= Activity of the Armenian Evangelicals in Artsakh|date= 9 June 2012|url= http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=6642|website= noravank.am|publisher= Center for the Armenian Studies, "Noravank" Foundation|access-date= 18 December 2021|archive-date= 18 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211218205310/http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=6642|url-status= live}}</ref>

===Economy===
]

The city was a regional center of education and culture, being home to Artsakh University, musical schools, and a ]. The economy was based on the service industry and has varied enterprises, ], ], and ] being the most important.<ref name= RU/> In 2021, the population of Stepanakert was 75,000.<ref name=Karen/>

Stepanakert was the center of the economy of Artsakh. Prior to the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the economy of Stepanakert was mainly based on food-processing industries, ] weaving and ].<ref name="SAE"/> Inhabitants also engaged in producing furniture and footwear.<ref name= RU/> The economy was severely damaged due to the 1988 earthquake in Armenia and the First Nagorno Karabakh war.<ref>{{harvnb|Lagasse|2000}}</ref> In the years following, the economy was developed further, mainly due to investments from the ]. However, following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, the economy once again experienced severe damage, particularly in the tourism sector.<ref>{{cite web|last= Nahapetyan|first= Haykaram|title= Artsakh's Economy: The Post-war Syndrome and Recovery Efforts|date= 10 July 2021|location= Watertown|work= ]|publisher= Baikar Association|access-date= 22 December 2021|url= https://mirrorspectator.com/2021/07/10/artsakhs-economy-the-post-war-syndrome-and-recovery-efforts/|archive-date= 22 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211222024741/https://mirrorspectator.com/2021/07/10/artsakhs-economy-the-post-war-syndrome-and-recovery-efforts/|url-status= live}}</ref>

The most developed sectors of Stepanakert and the rest of the Republic of Artsakh are tourism and services. Several hotels were opened by ]n Armenians from Russia, the United States and Australia.<ref name="AGBU">Hayrumyan, Naira. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922120409/http://agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=603 |date=22 September 2010 }}." '']''. Vol. 18, № 2, November 2008, pp. 34–37.</ref> Artsakhbank was the largest banking services provider in Artsakh, while Karabakh Telecom was the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and other communication services.


Stepanakert was also home to many large industrial firms, including Stepanakert Brandy Factory, Artsakh Berry food products and Artsakh Footwear Factory. {{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}
The city ] once again during the ]. Residential areas were continuously hit by the ] with ]s throughout the war, starting on the first day of fighting, and residents were urged to use the city's ]s.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005020310/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/10/02/karabakh-main-city-struck-as-armenia-says-ready-for-mediation-a71634 |date=5 October 2020 }}." '']''. 2 October 2020.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-23|title=Azerbaijan: Cluster Munitions Used in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023084426/https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/23/azerbaijan-cluster-munitions-used-nagorno-karabakh|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Armenia/Azerbaijan: Civilians must be protected from use of banned cluster bombs|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=www.amnesty.org|language=en|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126045259/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/armenia-azerbaijan-civilians-must-be-protected-from-use-of-banned-cluster-bombs/|url-status=live}}</ref> As Azerbaijani forces advanced on the city of ], the ] was shut down by ] authorities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stepanakert prepares for the last stand {{!}} Eurasianet|url=https://eurasianet.org/stepanakert-prepares-for-the-last-stand|access-date=2020-11-12|website=eurasianet.org|language=en|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201109155748/https://eurasianet.org/stepanakert-prepares-for-the-last-stand|url-status=live}}</ref>


Construction was also one of the leading sectors in the city. Artsakh Hek is the leading construction firm, while Base Metals was the leader in mining and production of building materials. {{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}
With ] 15 kilometers from the capital, a ] was signed on 10 November. As part of the agreement, ]n peacekeepers were deployed to the region. Following the war, the population of Stepanakert swelled to 75,000 residents as a result of some 10,000 to 15,000 displaced people who lost their homes elsewhere in the Republic of Artsakh during the war.


==Geography and climate== ==Geography and climate==
Stepanakert is located on ], at an average altitude of {{convert|813|m|0|abbr=on}} above ]. Stepanakert is located on the ], at an average altitude of {{convert|813|m|0|abbr=on}} above ].<ref>{{harvnb|King|Nevins|2020|p= 7}}</ref>


The city has a ] (''Cfa'') according to the ] system and a ] (''BS'') according to the ] system. In the month of January, the average temperature drops to {{convert|0.5|°C|0|abbr=on}}. In August, it averages around {{convert|22.6|°C|0|abbr=on}}. The city has a ] (''Cfa'') according to the ] system<ref>{{cite web|last1= Peel|first1= M. C.|last2= Finlayson|first2= B. L.|last3= McMahon|first3= T. A|title= World Köppen Classification|url= https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/File:World_K%C3%B6ppen_Classification_(with_authors).svg|publisher= ]|year= 2016|access-date= 22 December 2021|archive-date= 10 January 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220110222911/https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/File:World_K%C3%B6ppen_Classification_(with_authors).svg|url-status= live}}</ref> and an ] (''Do'') according to the ] system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appendix D: Koppen-Trewartha Climate Classification Descriptions |date=August 2019 |url=https://open.oregonstate.education/permaculturedesign/back-matter/koppen-trewartha-climate-classification-descriptions/ |last1=Millison |first1=Andrew }}</ref> In the month of January, the average temperature drops to {{convert|1|°C|0|abbr=on}}. In July, it averages around {{convert|23|°C|0|abbr=on}}. Extreme temperatures ranged from {{convert|-15.0|°C|0|abbr=on}} on January 8, 1974, to {{convert|37.0|°C|0|abbr=on}} on July 11, 1978.<ref name = Extremes/>


{{Weather box {{Weather box
|width = auto |width = auto
|location = Stepanakert |location = Stepanakert (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1959–1991)
|single line = yes |single line = yes
|metric first = yes |metric first = yes
|Jan record high C = 16.1
|Feb record high C = 19.0
|Mar record high C = 22.8
|Apr record high C = 30.3
|May record high C = 30.0
|Jun record high C = 37.0
|Jul record high C = 37.0
|Aug record high C = 36.0
|Sep record high C = 31.0
|Oct record high C = 25.0
|Nov record high C = 21.2
|Dec record high C = 21.0
|year record high C =
|Jan record low C = -15.0
|Feb record low C = -11.0
|Mar record low C = -12.7
|Apr record low C = -1.0
|May record low C = 4.0
|Jun record low C = 6.6
|Jul record low C = 11.3
|Aug record low C = 10.9
|Sep record low C = 6.0
|Oct record low C = -2.0
|Nov record low C = -6.0
|Dec record low C = -8.6
|year record low C =
|Jan high C = 4.7 |Jan high C = 4.7
|Feb high C = 5.2 |Feb high C = 5.2
Line 168: Line 270:
|Dec precipitation days = 4 |Dec precipitation days = 4
|year precipitation days = 85 |year precipitation days = 85
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>{{cite web |source 1 = ]<ref name = NOAA>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/AJ/37895.TXT | url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/AJ/37895.TXT
| title = Xankandi (Stepanakert) Climate Normals 1961–1990 | title = Xankandi (Stepanakert) Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = ] | publisher = ]
| access-date = 22 March 2015 | access-date = 22 March 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230513045408/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/AJ/37895.TXT
}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|date=August 2010 | archive-date = 2023-05-13
}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name = Extremes>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=37895099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP
| title = Global Surface Summary of the Day – GSOD
| publisher = ]
| access-date = 13 May 2023
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230513070817/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=37895099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP
| archive-date = 2023-05-13}}</ref>
}} }}


==Politics and government== ==Politics and government==
During the period of the ], Stepanakert served as the capital of the ] within the ], between 1923 and 1991. With the self-declared independence of Artsakh in 1991, Stepanakert continued with its status as the political and cultural centre of the newly established republic, being home to all the national institutions: the Government House, the National Assembly, the Presidential Palace, the Constitutional Court, all ministries, judicial bodies and other government organizations. During the period of the ], Stepanakert served as the capital of the ] within the ], between 1923 and 1991. With the self-declared independence of Artsakh in 1991, Stepanakert continued with its status as the political and cultural centre of the newly established republic, being home to all the national institutions: the Government House, the National Assembly, the Presidential Palace, the Constitutional Court, all ministries, judicial bodies and other government organizations.<ref name= RU/>

Artsakh is a ] ] since the ]. The ]'s post was abolished and the ] now resides with the ], who is both the ] and ]. The president is directly elected for a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms. The current President is ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nkrusa.org/country_profile/president.shtml |title=The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in USA |publisher=Nkrusa.org |access-date=6 May 2012 |archive-date=20 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420165427/http://www.nkrusa.org/country_profile/president.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 July 2012, Sahakyan was re-elected for a second term.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://artsakhtert.com/rus/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1873:2012-07-27-12-14-19 |title=СООБЩЕНИЕ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ ИЗБИРАТЕЛЬНОЙ КОМИССИИ НАГОРНО-КАРАБАХСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ |publisher=Азат Арцах |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213551/http://artsakhtert.com/rus/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1873%3A2012-07-27-12-14-19 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He was again ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mediamax.am/en/news/karabakh/24374/|title=Bako Sahakyan re-elected President of Artsakh|website=mediamax.am|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16|archive-date=9 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209212520/https://www.mediamax.am/en/news/karabakh/24374/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Under the Republic of Artsakh, the city of Stepanakert was governed by the Stepanakert City Council and the mayor of Stepanakert. The last local elections took place in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanamyan |first=Emil |date=2019-09-09 |title=Artsakh Elects Mayors and Municipal Councils |url=https://armenian.usc.edu/artsakh-elects-mayors-and-municipal-councils/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=USC Institute of Armenian Studies |language=en-US |archive-date=17 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617232339/https://armenian.usc.edu/artsakh-elects-mayors-and-municipal-councils/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The most recent mayor was Davit Sargsyan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-17 |title=Ստեփանակերտի քաղաքապետարան – Քաղաքապետ |url=http://www.stepanakert.am/index.php?section=resources/index&type=1&subtype=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414025459/http://www.stepanakert.am/index.php?section=resources/index&type=1&subtype=1 |archive-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.stepanakert.am |language=hy}}</ref>
The ] is a unicameral legislature. It has 33 members who are elected for five-year terms.


===Gallery=== ===Government buildings===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140"> <gallery mode="packed" heights="140">
2014 Stepanakert, Plac Odrodzenia (02).jpg|The National Assembly
Presidential, NKR, Stepanakert.jpg|The Presidential Palace
2014 Stepanakert, Plac Odrodzenia (02).jpg|thumb|The National Assembly
2014 Stepanakert, Budynek Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych Republiki Górskiego Karabachu (02).jpg|The Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2014 Stepanakert, Budynek Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych Republiki Górskiego Karabachu (02).jpg|The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2014 Stepanakert, Budynek rządowy Republiki Górskiego Karabachu.jpg|Government building, 20 February Street 2014 Stepanakert, Budynek rządowy Republiki Górskiego Karabachu.jpg|Government building, 20 February Street
Line 195: Line 301:
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1em; text-align:right; font-size:88%;" {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1em; text-align:right; font-size:88%;"
|- |-
! Year ! rowspan="2" | Year
! scope="col" colspan=2 style="width:80px; text-align: right;" | Armenians ! scope="col" colspan=2 style="width:80px; text-align: right;" | Armenians
! scope="col" colspan=2 style="width:80px; text-align: right;" | Azerbaijanis{{efn|Mentioned as "Turks" in the 1926 figures.<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru"/>}} ! scope="col" colspan=2 style="width:80px; text-align: right;" | Azerbaijanis{{efn|Mentioned as "Muslims" in the 1897 census and "Turks" in the 1926 census.<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru"/>}}
! scope="col" colspan=2 style="text-align: right;"| Others ! scope="col" colspan=2 style="text-align: right;"| Others
! style="text-align: right;" | Total ! rowspan="2" style="text-align: right;" | Total
|- |-
!Number
| style="text-align:left" | 1926<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru">{{in lang|ru}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916085723/http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnkarabax.html |date=16 September 2011 }}</ref>
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 1897<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Troinitsky |first=N. A. |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/428670 |title=Населенные места Российской империи в 500 и более жителей с указанием всего наличного в них населения и числа жителей преобладающих вероисповеданий, по данным первой всеобщей переписи населения 1897 г. |publisher=Tipografiya Obshchestvennaya polza |year=1905 |location=Saint Petersburg |page=32 |language=ru |trans-title=Populated areas of the Russian Empire with 500 or more inhabitants, indicating the total population in them and the number of inhabitants of the predominant religions, according to the first general population census of 1897 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810153601/https://www.prlib.ru/item/428670 |archive-date=10 August 2022}}</ref>
|628
|42.0
|442
|29.6
|425
|28.4
| '''1,495'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 1926<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnkarabax.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916085723/http://www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru/rnkarabax.html|title=население нагорно-карабахской республики|archive-date=16 September 2011|website=www.ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru}}</ref>
| 2,724 | 2,724
| 85.4% | 85.4
| 343 | 343
| 10.8% | 10.8
| 122 | 122
| 3.8% | 3.8
| '''3,189''' | '''3,189'''
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | 1939<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru"/> | style="text-align:left" | 1939<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru" />
| 9,079 | 9,079
| 86.8% | 86.8
| 672 | 672
| 6.4% | 6.4
| 708 | 708
| 6.8% | 6.8
| '''10,459''' | '''10,459'''
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | 1959<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru"/> | style="text-align:left" | 1959<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru" />
| 17,640 | 17,640
| 89.5% | 89.5
| 1,143 | 1,143
| 5.8% | 5.8
| 920 | 920
| 4.7% | 4.7
| '''19,703''' | '''19,703'''
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | 1970<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru"/> | style="text-align:left" | 1970<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru" />
| 26,684 | 26,684
| 88.1% | 88.1
| 2,762 | 2,762
| 9.1% | 9.1
| 847 | 847
| 2.8% | 2.8
| '''30,293''' | '''30,293'''
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | 1979<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru"/> | style="text-align:left" | 1979<ref name="ethno-kavkaz.narod.ru" />
| 33,898 | 33,898
| 87.0% | 87.0
| 4,303 | 4,303
| 11.0% | 11.0
| 747 | 747
| 2.0% | 2.0
| '''38,948''' | '''38,948'''
|- |-
! colspan=8 | September 1988: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: ]<ref>{{harvnb|De Waal|2013|p=46}}</ref> ! colspan=8 | September 1988: First Nagorno-Karabakh War: ]<ref>{{harvnb|de Waal|2013|p=46}}</ref>
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | 2005<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302100506/http://census.stat-nkr.am/nkr/1-1.pdf |date=2 March 2011 }} Census in NKR, 2005. The National Statistical Service of Nagorno-karabakh Republic</ref> | style="text-align:left" | 2005<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302100506/http://census.stat-nkr.am/nkr/1-1.pdf |date=2 March 2011 }} Census in NKR, 2005. The National Statistical Service of Nagorno-karabakh Republic</ref>
| 49,848 | 49,848
| 99.7% | 99.7
| 2 | 2
| 0.0% | 0.0
| 136 | 136
| 0.3% | 0.3
| '''49,986''' | '''49,986'''
|- |-
| style="text-align:left" | 2010<ref name="stat-nkr.am"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929234855/http://stat-nkr.am/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=431:-2007-2013&lang=en&Itemid= |date=29 September 2015 }} Statistics in NKR, 2010. The National Statistical Service of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic</ref> | style="text-align:left" | 2010<ref name="stat-nkr.am"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929234855/http://stat-nkr.am/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=431:-2007-2013&lang=en&Itemid=|date=29 September 2015}} Statistics in NKR, 2010. The National Statistical Service of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic</ref>
| 52,900 | 52,900
| |
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| '''55,309''' | '''55,309'''
|- |-
! colspan="8" |September–November 2020:Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
| style="text-align:left" | 2021<ref name="2021 pop">{{cite web |title=Drought leads to "unprecedented" water crisis in Stepanakert |url=https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/294985/Drought_leads_to_unprecedented_water_crisis_in_Stepanakert |website=www.panarmenian.net |publisher=PanArmenian}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 2021<ref name= Karen/>
| 75,000 | 75,000
| |
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| |
| '''75,000''' | '''75,000'''
|-
! colspan="8" |September 2023: Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 2024
| {{circa}} 24<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Ռ/Կ |first=«Ազատություն» |date=2023-11-15 |title=U.S. Says Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians Entitled To Return Home |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32685339.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան |language=hy}}</ref>
|
|1,264+<ref name="university"></ref>
|
|
|
| '''1,288+'''
|-
|} |}
] ]


According to the data of the Transcaucasian Statistical Committee, extracted from the family lists of 1886, there were 71 houses and 279 residents registered in Khankendi, of which 276 were Russians, 2 Armenians and 1 Tatar (Azerbaijani), who were respectively Orthodox, Armenian Gregorian and Sunni Muslim by religion.<ref>{{cite book | author = | chapter = | chapter-url = | format = | url = https://viewer.rusneb.ru/ru/000199_000009_005403186?page=270&rotate=-90&theme=white | title = Свод статистических данных о населении Закавказского края, извлечённых из посемейных списков 1886 г. | orig-year = | agency = | edition = | location = Тифлис | date = 1893 | publisher = | at = | volume = | pages = | page = | series = | isbn = | access-date = 28 April 2021 | archive-date = 28 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210428085554/https://viewer.rusneb.ru/ru/000199_000009_005403186?page=270&rotate=-90&theme=white | url-status = live }}</ref> According to the data of the Transcaucasian Statistical Committee, extracted from the family lists of 1886, there were 71 houses and 279 residents registered in Khankendi (recorded as Ханкенды, ''Khankendy'' in ]), of which 276 were Russians, 2 Armenians and 1 Tatar (later known as ]), who were respectively Orthodox, Armenian Gregorian and Sunni Muslim by religion.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://viewer.rusneb.ru/ru/000199_000009_005403186?page=270&rotate=-90&theme=white |script-title=ru:Свод статистических данных о населении Закавказского края, извлечённых из посемейных списков 1886 г. |location=Тифлис |date=1893 |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428085554/https://viewer.rusneb.ru/ru/000199_000009_005403186?page=270&rotate=-90&theme=white |url-status=live}}</ref> According to the ] of 1897, the village, labelled as Khan-kendy ({{Langx|ru|Ханъ-кенды}}), had a population of 1,495 consisting of 801 men and 694 women; there were 628 ], 442 ], and 394 ].<ref name=":0" />


According to the 1910 publication of the ''Caucasian Calendar''—a statistical almanac published by the office of the viceroy—there were 362 residents in the village of Khankendy of the Shusha uezd of the Elizavetpol Governorate in 1908, predominantly Russians.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/417314 |title=Кавказский календарь на 1910 год |publisher=Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom |year=1910 |edition=65th |publication-place=Tiflis |page=393 |language=Russian |trans-title=Caucasian calendar for 1910 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315211448/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417314 |archive-date=15 March 2022}}</ref> The 1912 publication of the ''Caucasian Calendar'' registered 1,076 residents, also predominantly Russians.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/417317 |title=Кавказский календарь на 1912 год |publisher=Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom |year=1912 |edition=67th |publication-place=Tiflis |page=215 |language=Russian |trans-title=Caucasian calendar for 1912 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211164139/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417317 |archive-date=11 December 2021}}</ref> According to the 1915 publication of the ''Caucasian Calendar'', there were 1,550 predominantly Tatar residents in Khankendi.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.prlib.ru/item/417320 |title=Кавказский календарь на 1915 год |publisher=Tipografiya kantselyarii Ye.I.V. na Kavkaze, kazenny dom |year=1915 |edition=70th |publication-place=Tiflis |page=195 |language=Russian |trans-title=Caucasian calendar for 1915 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104234033/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417320 |archive-date=4 November 2021}}</ref> According to the Azerbaijani agricultural census of 1921, Khankendi had a population of 1,208 residents, mostly Armenians.<ref>Азербайджанская сельскохозяйственная перепись 1921 года. Итоги. Т. I. Вып. VIII. Шушинский уезд. Baku: Izdanie Az. Ts.S.U, 1922, pp.&nbsp;12—13, 21.</ref> In 1973, Stepanakert had a population of 32,000.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/greatsovietencyc0017unse |title=Great Soviet Encyclopedia |publisher=] |year=1973 |volume=17 |location=New York |page=301 |language=en}}</ref>
According to the Caucasus calendar of 1910, there were 362 residents in the village of Khankendi of the Shusha uyezd of the Elisavetpol governorate in 1908, who were mostly Russians.<ref>{{cite book | author = | chapter = | chapter-url = | format = | url = https://www.prlib.ru/item/417314 | title = Кавказский календарь на 1910 год. Часть 1 | orig-year = | agency = | edition = | location = Тифлис | date = | publisher = | volume = | pages = 393 | series = | isbn = | access-date = 28 April 2021 | archive-date = 19 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210419165856/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417314 | url-status = live }}</ref>


==Transport==
The Caucasus calendar of 1912 registered 1076 residents, also mostly Russians.<ref name= calendar12>{{cite book | author = | chapter = | chapter-url = | format = | url = https://www.prlib.ru/item/417317 | title = Кавказский календарь на 1912 год | orig-year = | agency = | edition = | location = Тифлис | date = 1912 | publisher = Типография канцелярии Е.И.В. на Кавказе, казенный дом | volume = | pages = 215 | series = | isbn = | access-date = 28 April 2021 | archive-date = 23 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181023080143/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417317 | url-status = live }}</ref>

However, according to the Caucasus calendar of 1915 there were 1550 Tatar (Azerbaijani) and 180 Armenian residents in Khankendi.<ref name= calendar15>{{cite book | author = | chapter = | chapter-url = | format = | url = https://www.prlib.ru/item/417320 | title = Кавказский календарь на 1915 год | orig-year = | agency = | edition = | location = Тифлис | date = 1915 | publisher = Типография канцелярии Е.И.В. на Кавказе, казенный дом | volume = | pages = 195 | series = | isbn = | access-date = 28 April 2021 | archive-date = 21 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181121072658/https://www.prlib.ru/item/417320 | url-status = live }}</ref>

According to the Azerbaijani agricultural census of 1921, the population of Khankendi ({{lang-az| ﺧﺎﻥ ﻛﻨﺩﻯ}}) was 1208 people, mostly Armenians.<ref> Азербайджанская сельскохозяйственная перепись 1921 года. Итоги. Т. I. Вып. VIII. Шушинский уезд.. — Баку: Издание Аз. Ц.С.У., 1922. — С. 12—13, 21.</ref>

== Religion ==
The late-19th-century church of Saint George was destroyed in the 1930s to build the Stepanakert Drama Theatre. Throughout the rest of the Soviet era, there were no traditional churches in Stepanakert, although most of the population of the city were members of the ].

The church of Surp Hakob (or ''Saint James'') was opened in 2007; it remained the only open church in the city until 2019. The church was financed by Nerses Yepremian from ]. The church was consecrated on 9 May 2007, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the capture of Shusha by Armenian forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armtown.com/news/en/aza/20070510/2029/ |title=ST JAMES CHURCH WAS OPENED IN STEPANAKERT |last=Grigorian |first=Laura |publisher=Armenian News |date=10 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404134417/http://www.armtown.com/news/en/aza/20070510/2029/ |archive-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The construction of the ] was launched on 19 July 2006. The cost of the project was expected to be around US$2 million and the architect of the church is Gagik Yeranosyan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stepanakert-church.org/index.php?lang=en|title=The church of Stepanakert|website=www.stepanakert-church.org|access-date=18 November 2015|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007145642/http://www.stepanakert-church.org/index.php?lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the construction process was slow due to a lack of financial resources. The inauguration of the church was expected to take place in September 2016.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119100032/http://www.1tv.am/hy/news/2015/01/06/%D5%8D%D5%BF%D5%A5%D6%83%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BF%D5%AB-%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B5%D6%80-%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B3%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%BC%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%81%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B4%D5%A8-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%A5%D5%AC-%D5%A7-%D5%BE%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%BB%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D6%83%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AC%D5%AB%D5%B6/6354 |date=19 November 2015 }}</ref> Construction finished and the church was opened in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.am/eng/news/505747.html|title=Official ceremony of consecration and opening Cathedral of Intercession takes place in Stepanakert|website=news.am|language=en|access-date=2019-05-16|archive-date=8 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408150422/https://news.am/eng/news/505747.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

There is a small community of Armenian Evangelicals with around 500 members. The Evangelical community supports many schools, hospitals and other institutions through the help of the ].

==Transportation==
] ]
]]] ]]]


===Bus=== ===Bus===
Stepanakert is served by a number of regular minibus lines. Old Soviet-era buses have been replaced with new modern buses. Regular trips to other provinces of Nagorno-Karabakh are also operated from the city.<ref>Nicholas Holding, ''Armenia with Nagorno Karabagh,'' 2nd ed. (London: Bradt, 2006; {{ISBN|1-84162-163-3}}), p.208.</ref> Stepanakert was served by a number of regular minibus lines. Old Soviet-era buses have been replaced with new modern buses. Regular trips to other provinces of Nagorno-Karabakh were also operated from the city.<ref>{{harvnb|Holding|2006|p= 208}}</ref>


===Air=== ===Air===
Stepanakert is served by the nearby ], north of the city near the village of ]. In 2009, facilities reconstruction and repair work began.<ref name="asbarezarticle">{{cite news|url=http://asbarez.com/blog/86176/karabakh-to-reopen-stepanakert-airport/|title=Karabakh To Reopen Stepanakert Airport|newspaper=Asbarez|date=5 October 2010|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117074003/http://asbarez.com/blog/86176/karabakh-to-reopen-stepanakert-airport/|url-status=live}}</ref> Though originally scheduled to launch the first commercial flights on 9 May 2011, Karabakh officials postponed a new reopening date throughout the whole of 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/nagorno_karabakh_flights_hold_airport_reconstruction/24116168.html|title=Nagorno-Karabakh Flights On Hold Despite Airport Reconstruction|date=16 May 2011|publisher=]|access-date=16 May 2011|archive-date=18 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518164852/http://www.rferl.org/content/nagorno_karabakh_flights_hold_airport_reconstruction/24116168.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, the director of the NKR's Civil Aviation Administration, Tigran Gabrielyan, announced that the airport will begin operations in summer 2012.<ref>{{in lang|hy}} " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194608/http://yelaket.am/am/?p=579 |date=2 January 2014 }}" . ''Yelaket Lratvakan''. 30 May 2012.</ref> However, the airport still remains closed due to political reasons. The ] ], which mediates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reaffirmed that the operation of this airport could not be used to support any claim of a change in the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, and urged the sides to act in accordance with international law and consistent with current practice for flights over their territory.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122015706/http://www.osce.org/mg/92189 |date=22 January 2013 }}.</ref> Stepanakert was served by the nearby ], north of the city near the town of ]. In 2009, facilities reconstruction and repair work began.<ref name="asbarezarticle">{{cite news|url=http://asbarez.com/blog/86176/karabakh-to-reopen-stepanakert-airport/|title=Karabakh To Reopen Stepanakert Airport|newspaper=Asbarez|date=5 October 2010|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117074003/http://asbarez.com/blog/86176/karabakh-to-reopen-stepanakert-airport/|url-status=live}}</ref> Though originally scheduled to launch the first commercial flights on 9 May 2011, Karabakh officials postponed a new reopening date throughout the whole of 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/nagorno_karabakh_flights_hold_airport_reconstruction/24116168.html|title=Nagorno-Karabakh Flights On Hold Despite Airport Reconstruction|date=16 May 2011|work=] |access-date=16 May 2011|archive-date=18 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518164852/http://www.rferl.org/content/nagorno_karabakh_flights_hold_airport_reconstruction/24116168.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, the director of the NKR's Civil Aviation Administration, Tigran Gabrielyan, announced that the airport would begin operations in summer 2012.<ref>{{in lang|hy}} " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102194608/http://yelaket.am/am/?p=579 |date=2 January 2014 }}" . ''Yelaket Lratvakan''. 30 May 2012.</ref> However, the airport still remains closed due to political reasons. The ] ], which mediates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stated that "operation of cannot be used to support any claim of a change in the status of Nagorno-Karabakh" and "urged the sides to act in accordance with international law and consistent with current practice for flights over their territory."<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122015706/http://www.osce.org/mg/92189 |date=22 January 2013 }}.</ref>


===Railway=== ===Railway===
Stepanakert used to be connected through a railway line with the ] station on the ]-] railway. However, trips have been discontinued since the start of the ]. Stepanakert used to be connected through a railway line via ] and ] to the ] station on the ]-] railway.<ref>{{harvnb|New York|1988|p= 80}}</ref> However, trips were discontinued due to the ].<ref>{{harvnb|Holding|Allen|2019|p= 341}}</ref> As of 2024, the railway is undergoing reconstruction, with the section between Aghdam and Barda expected to reopen in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=4 January 2024|title=Ağdam-Xankəndi dəmiryolunun tikintisindən son görüntülər|url=https://olke.az/olke/359322/adam-xankendi-demiryolunun-tikintisinden-son-gruntuler-video/|website=olke.az|date=2 January 2024}}</ref>

==Economy==
]
Stepanakert is the centre of the economy of Artsakh. Prior to the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the economy of Stepanakert was mainly based on food-processing industries, ] weaving and ].<ref name="SAE"/> The economy was severely damaged during the war. However, in recent years, the economy has been developed mainly due to investments from the ].

The most developed sectors of Stepanakert and the rest of the Republic of Artsakh are tourism and services. Several hotels have been opened by ]n Armenians from Russia, the United States and Australia.<ref name="AGBU">Hayrumyan, Naira. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922120409/http://agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=603 |date=22 September 2010 }}." '']''. Vol. 18, № 2, November 2008, pp. 34–37.</ref> Artsakhbank is the largest banking services provider in Artsakh, while Karabakh Telecom is the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and other communication services.

Stepanakert is also home to many large industrial firms, including Stepanakert Brandy Factory, Artsakh Berry food products and Artsakh Footwear Factory.

Construction is also one of the leading sectors in the city. Artsakh Hek is the leading construction firm, while Base Metals is the leader in mining and production of building materials.

==Culture==
]'']]
]]]
The Vahram Papazyan Drama Theater of Stepanakert was founded in 1932. In 1967, the monumental complex of Stepanakert known as '']'' was erected to the north of Stepanakert,<ref>Nicholas Holding, ''Armenia with Nagorno Karabagh,'' 2nd ed. (London: Bradt, 2006; {{ISBN|1-84162-163-3}}), p.210.</ref> It is widely regarded as a symbol of the Armenian heritage of the historic ]. After the independence of Armenia, many cultural and youth centres were reopened. The cultural palace of the city is named after ].

Stepanakert is home to the Mesrop Mashtots Republican Library opened in 1924, Artsakh History Museum opened in 1939, Hovhannes Tumanyan Children's Library opened in 1947, Stepanakert National Gallery opened in 1982, and the Memorial Museum of the Martyred Liberators opened in 2002. A new cultural complex of the Armenian heritage of Artsakh is under construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://azator.gr/?p=3114|title=Ստեփանակերտի մէջ նոր յուշահամալիր կը կառուցուի - Azat Or|date=17 March 2017|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111400/http://azator.gr/?p=3114|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ] based in Stepanakert, has an important collection of ancient artifacts and Christian manuscripts.

===Education===
]
Stepanakert is the centre of higher education in Artsakh. Five higher educational institutions operate in the city:
* ], founded in 1969 as a branch of the Baku Pedagogical Institute. In 1973, it was renamed Stepanakert Pedagogical Institute and following the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, in 1992, it received its current status. The university offers courses spread across seven departments and has 4,500 students.<ref>{{in lang|hy}} Anon. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927215801/http://www.armtown.com/news/am/aza/20060829/3300/ |date=27 September 2011 }}." ''Azat Artsakh''. 29 August 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2009.</ref>
* Stepanakert campus of the ].
* Grigor Narekatsi University (private).
* Mesrop Mashtots University (private).
* Gyurjyan Institute for Applied Arts (private).

Many new schools in Stepanakert were opened during the last decade with the help of the ].<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723110306/http://asbarez.com/85320/armenia-fund-opens-600-student-school-in-stepanakert/ |date=23 July 2011 }}." '']''. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.</ref> Existing schools were also renovated with donations from the diaspora.

The Stepanakert branch of ] was opened in September 2015, as a result of continued cooperation between the Tumo Centre and the ], with the support of mobile operator Karabakh Telecom.<ref name=asbarez>{{cite news|title=Tumo Center Opens in Stepanakert|url=http://asbarez.com/139378/tumo-center-opens-in-stepanakert/|agency=Asbarez|date=1 September 2015|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006210905/http://asbarez.com/139378/tumo-center-opens-in-stepanakert/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://armenpress.am/eng/news/815236/stepanakert-tumo-center-is-planned-to-be-launched-in-september.html|title=Stepanakert "Tumo" Center is planned to be launched in September|date=13 August 2015|publisher=Armenpress|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118161402/http://armenpress.am/eng/news/815236/stepanakert-tumo-center-is-planned-to-be-launched-in-september.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sport===
]]]
] is the most popular sport in Nagorno-Karabakh and the city has a renovated football stadium. Since the mid-1990s, football teams from Karabakh started taking part in some domestic competitions in ]. ] is the football club that represents the city of Stepanakert. The Artsakh national football league was launched in 2009.

The non-] affiliated ] was formed in 2012 and played their first competitive match against the unrecognized ] in ] on 17 September 2012. The match ended with a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{in lang|hy}} "." ''Tert.am''. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.</ref><ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017195007/https://sport.news.am/eng/news/11346/armenia%E2%80%99s-newly-formed-second-national-football-team-to-face-abkhazia.html |date=17 October 2017 }}." ''News.am'' 14 September 2012.</ref> The following month, on 21 October 2012, Artsakh played the return match at the ] against Abkhazia, winning it with a result of 3–0.<ref>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225070942/http://asbarez.com/106010/artsakh-soccer-team-beats-abkhazia-3-0/ |date=25 December 2012 }}." ''Asbarez''. 22 October 2012.</ref>

There is also interest in other sports, including ] and ].

Artsakh athletes also take part with the representing teams and athletes in the ], organized in Armenia.

As an unrecognized entity, the athletes of Artsakh compete in international sports competitions under the flag of Armenia.

===Twin towns – sister cities===
{{main|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Artsakh}}
Stepanakert is ] with:
* ] ], United States: On 25 September 2005, Montebello, California and Stepanakert became sister cities. This prompted a complaint by the ambassador of Azerbaijan to the ], Hafiz Pashayev, who sent a letter to California leaders, stating that the decision jeopardized peace talks between his country and Armenia.<ref name="PamWright">Wright, Pam. "Montebello's newest Sister City program has come under fire from an ambassador for the Republic of Azerbaijan." '']''. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 2 August 2007.</ref> The letter was sent to then-California governor ], who deferred the letter to Montebello mayor Bill Molinari since it concerned a local, not a state, issue. Molinari responded to Pashayev that the city would go ahead with its plans to inaugurate Stepanakert under the sister city program.<ref name="PamWright"/> Stepanakert's relationship with Montebello is aimed at revitalizing the capital's economic infrastructure and building cultural and educational ties, as well as developing trade and health care between the two cities. Azerbaijan has described this as a contradictory foreign policy of the United States that purportedly supports the NKR government and Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.<ref>"Azeri pressure group appeals to US envoy over twinning reports." '']'' in ''BBC Monitoring Central Asia''. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 2 August 2007.</ref>
* ] ], Brazil: Since June 18, 2018, Law 3767/18 has made Eternal Armenia the name that declares Sister Cities the Municipalities of Mairiporã, State of São Paulo, and Stepanakert, capital of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic which triggered an alert from Itamaraty, Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the attitude of the Municipality as Brazil does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2019/02/01/leis-aprovadas-no-interior-de-sp-levam-itamaraty-a-alertar-cidades-sobre-mal-estar-com-o-azerbaijao.ghtml|title=Leis aprovadas em SP levam Itamaraty a alertar cidades sobre mal-estar com o Azerbaijão|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.g1.com.br|access-date=1 January 2020|archive-date=1 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101205858/https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2019/02/01/leis-aprovadas-no-interior-de-sp-levam-itamaraty-a-alertar-cidades-sobre-mal-estar-com-o-azerbaijao.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Friendship declarations===
* On 22 May 1998, Stepanakert and the commune of ] in ] signed a Friendship Declaration.<ref name="nkr.am">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nkr.am/en/international-cooperation |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 October 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301004114/http://www.nkr.am/en/international-cooperation |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 28 September 2012, Stepanakert and ], Armenia, the capitals of the two Armenian republics, became friends after signing a partnership agreement.<ref>{{cite web|title=Partner cities|url=https://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/partner-cities/|publisher=Yerevan|access-date=2020-06-25|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819225714/https://www.yerevan.am/en/partner/partner-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On 15 September 2014, ], Spain, and Stepanakert signed a cooperation agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2014/09/15/stepanakert-donostia/?sw|title=Stepanakert, Donostia sign cooperation agreement|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.panorama.am|access-date=6 November 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070458/http://www.panorama.am/en/society/2014/09/15/stepanakert-donostia/?sw|url-status=live}}</ref>
* On 17 May 2015, Stepanakert and the commune of ] in France signed a Friendship Declaration.<ref name="nkr.am"/>
* On 3 February 2016, Stepanakert signed a Friendship Declaration with the municipality of ], ].<ref name="nkr.am"/>
* On 23 July 2019, Stepanakert signed a Friendship Declaration with the ], ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asbarez.com/183009/australias-ryde-forms-friendship-city-with-stepanakert/|title=Australia's Ryde Forms Friendship City with Stepanakert|first=Asbarez|last=LLC|website=www.asbarez.com|access-date=24 July 2019|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724121345/http://asbarez.com/183009/australias-ryde-forms-friendship-city-with-stepanakert/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Notable people== ==Notable people==
], Third President of Armenia.]] ]; third President of Armenia.]]
* ] – ] academic<ref>{{cite web |url= http://iranatom.ru/news/media/year05/november/abagyan.htm |title= Armen Abagyan tragically died |website= IranAtom.Ru |language= ru |access-date= 19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523100154/http://iranatom.ru/news/media/year05/november/abagyan.htm |archive-date=23 May 2009 }}</ref>
* ] – ] academic
* ] – Armenian singer<ref>{{cite web|title= Անդրեյ Հովնանյան|trans-title= André Hovnanyan|url= http://avproduction.am/?ln=am&page=person&id=347|location= Armenia|publisher= "AV Production" center|website= avproduction.am|language= hy|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220012142/http://avproduction.am/?ln=am&page=person&id=347|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Armenian singer
* ] – Armenian filmmaker<ref>{{cite web |title=Noted Artsakh filmmaker Don Askarian dies at 69 |url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/10/11/noted-artsakh-filmmaker-don-askarian-dies-at-69/ |website=The Armenian Mirror-Spectator |date=11 October 2018 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501195440/https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/10/11/noted-artsakh-filmmaker-don-askarian-dies-at-69/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ] – Armenian filmmaker
* ] – Armenian singer, winner of the ] * ] – Armenian singer, winner of the ]<ref>{{cite web|title= Minsk 2010/Participants: Vladimir Arzumanyan|url= https://junioreurovision.tv/participant/vladimir-arzumanyan|website= junioreurovision.tv|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 8 April 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220408000304/https://junioreurovision.tv/participant/vladimir-arzumanyan|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Armenian military general<ref>{{cite web|title= SAMVEL A. BABAYAN|url= http://www.nankr.am/en/2393|website= nankr.am|publisher= Official website of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220012147/http://www.nankr.am/en/2393|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Armenian military general
* ] – Armenian writer<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wua.am/writers/balayan_zori/eng.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124090411/http://www.wua.am/writers/balayan_zori/eng.htm|title=Balayan's page at the Armenian Writer's Union official site|archive-date=24 January 2010}}</ref>
* ] – Armenian writer
* ] – Azerbaijani politician<ref name="femida.az">{{cite web|url=http://femida.az/news.php?id=46805|title=Milli Qəhrəmanın deputat arvadı: 'Xankəndində azərbaycanlılara ərzaq satılmırdı' (MÜSAHİBƏ)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128063551/http://femida.az/news.php?id=46805 |archive-date=28 January 2017|website=femida.az|date=27 January 2017|language=az}}</ref>
* ] – Azerbaijani poet, daughter of the second khan of ] ], a wife of ] emperor ]
* ] – Azerbaijani theatrical figure, actor and director.<ref>{{cite book| last = İlham Rəhimli| first = Rəhimli| title = Azərbaycan teatr tarixi| publisher = Çaşıoğlu| series = | volume = | edition = | date = 2005| location = Baku| page = 864| language = | url = http://www.anl.az/el/r/ri_att.pdf| doi = | id = | isbn = | mr = | zbl = | jfm = | access-date = 26 April 2023| archive-date = 29 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211129121515/http://anl.az/el/r/ri_att.pdf| url-status = live}}</ref>
* ] – 14th Prime Minister of Armenia
* ] – 14th Prime Minister of Armenia<ref>{{cite web|title= Former Armenian PM Karen Karapetyan Urges Pashinyan to Resign|url= https://hetq.am/en/article/125427|date= 15 December 2020|publisher= ]|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220012139/https://hetq.am/en/article/125427|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Second ]
* ] – second ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iravaban.net/197744.html |title=ՀՀ 2-րդ նախագահ Ռոբերտ Քոչարյանի կենսագրությունը |trans-title=RA 2nd president Robert Kocharyan's biography |last= |first= |date=28 July 2018 |website=iravaban.net |publisher= |access-date=28 January 2021 |quote= |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202215944/https://iravaban.net/197744.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ] – Azerbaijani actor
* ] – Azerbaijani actor<ref>{{cite news|title= Mosfilm Fəxrəddin Manafovu killer roluna çəkir Azərbaycanda isə o bu yaxınlarda İbrahim xan obrazını yaradıb|date= 21 April 2007|work= Daily Azerbaijan|page= 14|url= http://anl.az/down/medeniyyet2007/aprel/medeniyyet2007_aprel_236.htm|publisher= ]|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 27 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211127212320/http://anl.az/down/medeniyyet2007/aprel/medeniyyet2007_aprel_236.htm|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Azerbaijani businessman and lawyer
* ] – Third President of Armenia * ] – Azerbaijani businessman
* ] – Azerbaijani colonel<ref>{{cite book|last1=Əsgərov|first1=Vüqar|author-link=|title=Azərbaycanın Milli Qəhrəmanları|date=2005|publisher=Qapp-poliqraf|location=Baku|isbn= |page=250|url=https://archive.org/download/AMQ2005/AMQ%202005.pdf}}</ref>
* ] - theatre director in Ukraine
* ] – third President of Armenia<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.president.am/en/serzhsargsyan|title= Official biography of Serzh Sargsyan|website= President.am|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 3 May 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111353/http://www.president.am/en/serzhsargsyan|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Soviet Armenian chemist, academician
* ] – theatre director in Ukraine<ref>{{cite web|title= "У мистецтві я шукаю іншодумців"|trans-title= In art I look for dissidents|date= 19 February 2021|url= https://m.day.kyiv.ua/uk/article/kultura/u-mystectvi-ya-shukayu-inshodumciv|website= m.day.kyiv.ua|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220012150/https://m.day.kyiv.ua/uk/article/kultura/u-mystectvi-ya-shukayu-inshodumciv|url-status= live}}</ref>
* ] – Soviet zoologist
* ] – Soviet Armenian chemist, academician<ref>{{cite web|title= Enikolopov, Nikolay Sergeevich|url= https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enc_biography/26165/%D0%95%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2,|page= 13|website= dic.academic.ru|publisher= Big biographical encyclopedia|year= 2009|access-date= 19 December 2021|archive-date= 20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220012138/https://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enc_biography/26165/%D0%95%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2,|url-status= live}}</ref>
*] – professional footballer


==Notes== ==Notes==
Line 401: Line 468:
=== Bibliography === === Bibliography ===
{{refbegin|indent=yes|35em}} {{refbegin|indent=yes|35em}}
*{{cite book|last= Adalian|first= Rouben Paul|author-link= Rouben Paul Adalian|title= Historical Dictionary of Armenia|year= 2010|edition= 2|number= 77|location= Lanham, Toronto, Plymouth|publisher= Rowman & Littlefield|page= 553|isbn= 9780810874503}} * {{cite book|last= Adalian|first= Rouben Paul|author-link= Rouben Paul Adalian|title= Historical Dictionary of Armenia|year= 2010|edition= 2|number= 77|location= Lanham, Toronto, Plymouth|publisher= Rowman & Littlefield|page= 553|isbn= 978-0-8108-7450-3}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Baranchikov|first= E.V.|editor= ]|title= STEPANAKERT|encyclopedia= ]|volume= 31|location= Moscow |publisher=Большая Российская энциклопедия |year= 2016|page= 225|url= https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/4165408|lang= ru|isbn= 978-5-85270-367-5|access-date= 30 June 2023|archive-date= 30 June 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230630154256/https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/4165408|url-status= live}}

* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Busse|first= H.|title= ABU'L-FATḤ KHAN JAVĀNŠĪR|url= https://iranicaonline.org/articles/abul-fath-khan-javansir|volume= I|edition= 3|year= 1983|pages= 285–286|encyclopedia= ]|editor= ]|location= New York |publisher=Routledge |isbn= 978-0-7100-9092-8|access-date= 15 December 2021|archive-date= 15 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211215075853/https://iranicaonline.org/articles/abul-fath-khan-javansir|url-status= live}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Baranchikov|first= E.V.|editor= ]|title= STEPANAKERT|work= ]|volume= 31|location= Moscow|year= 2016|page= 225|url= https://bigenc.ru/geography/text/4165408|lang= ru|isbn= 978-5-85270-367-5}}
* {{cite book|last= Chorbajian|first= Levon|author-link= Levon Chorbajian|title= The Making of Nagorno-Karabagh: From Secession to Republic|location= New York|publisher= ]|year= 2001|isbn= 978-0-230-50896-5|page= 140}}

* {{cite book|last= Davies|first= Norman|author-link= Norman Davies|title= Beneath Another Sky: A Global Journey Into History|year= 2017|location= United Kingdom|publisher= ]|isbn= 978-1-84614-832-3}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Busse|first= H.|title= ABU'L-FATḤ KHAN JAVĀNŠĪR|url= https://iranicaonline.org/articles/abul-fath-khan-javansir|volume= I|edition= 3|year= 1983|pages= 285-286|work= ]|editor= ]|location= New York|isbn= 978-0710090928}}
* {{cite book|last1=de Waal|first1=Thomas|author-link1=Thomas de Waal|title=Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War|date=2013|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=978-0-8147-8578-2}}

* {{cite book|last= Everett-Heath|first= John|author-link= John Everett-Heath|title= The Concise Dictionary of World Place Names|year= 2019|location= United Kingdom|url= https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191882913.001.0001/acref-9780191882913-e-8066|url-access= subscription|edition= 5|publisher= Oxford University Press|isbn= 978-0-19-255646-2|access-date= 14 December 2021|archive-date= 14 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211214084240/https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191882913.001.0001/acref-9780191882913-e-8066|url-status= live}}
* {{cite book|last= Davies|first= Norman|author-link= Norman Davies|title= Beneath Another Sky: A Global Journey Into History|year= 2017|location= United Kingdom|publisher= ]|isbn= 9781846148323}}
* {{cite book|last1= Hagobian|first1= Hagob Melik|last2= Melkonian|first2= Ara Stepan|title= The Five Melikdoms of Karabagh|year= 2020|location= Yerevan|publisher= ]|isbn= 978-1-909382-60-2|url= http://armenianhouse.org/raffi/novels-ru/khamsa/meliks41_46.html|access-date= 15 December 2021|archive-date= 23 September 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150923173816/http://www.armenianhouse.org/raffi/novels-ru/khamsa/meliks41_46.html|url-status= live}}

*{{cite book|last1= Hakobyan|first1= Tadevos Kh.|last2= Melik-Bakhshyan|first2= Stepan T.|last3= Barseghyan|first3= Hovhannes Kh.|author-link1= Tadevos Hakobyan|trans-title= Dictionary of Toponyms of Armenia and Adjacent Territories|title= Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան|url= http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&query=|publisher= Yerevan State University Press|year= 1998|volume= 4|page= 773|oclc= 247335945|language= hy|access-date= 16 December 2021|archive-date= 27 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211127132637/http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&query=|url-status= live}}
* {{cite book|last1=De Waal|first1=Thomas|author-link1=Thomas de Waal|title=Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace and War|date=2013|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=9780814785782|page=}}

* {{cite book|last =Everett-Heath|first = John|author-link= John Everett-Heath|title = The Concise Dictionary of World Place Names|year = 2019|location= United Kingdom|url= https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191882913.001.0001/acref-9780191882913-e-8066|url-access= subscription|edition= 5|publisher = Oxford University Press|isbn= 9780192556462}}

* {{cite book|last1= Hagobian|first1= Hagob Melik|last2= Melkonian|first2= Ara Stepan|title= The Five Melikdoms of Karabagh|year= 2020|location= Yerevan|publisher= ]|isbn= 9781909382602|url= http://armenianhouse.org/raffi/novels-ru/khamsa/meliks41_46.html}}

*{{cite book|last1= Hakobyan|first1= Tadevos Kh.|last2= Melik-Bakhshyan|first2= Stepan T.|last3= Barseghyan|first3= Hovhannes Kh.|author-link1= Tadevos Hakobyan|trans-title=Dictionary of Toponyms of Armenia and Adjacent Territories|title= Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան|url= http://www.nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&query= |publisher= Yerevan State University Press|year= 1998|volume= 4|page= 773|oclc= 247335945|lang= hy}}

* {{cite book|last = Hewsen|first = Robert H. |author-link = Robert Hewsen |title = Armenia: A Historical Atlas |year = 2001|location = Chicago |publisher = University of Chicago Press|isbn= 0-226-33228-4|page = 265}} * {{cite book|last = Hewsen|first = Robert H. |author-link = Robert Hewsen |title = Armenia: A Historical Atlas |year = 2001|location = Chicago |publisher = University of Chicago Press|isbn= 0-226-33228-4|page = 265}}
*{{cite book|last1= Holding|first1= Deidre|last2= Allen|first2= Tom|title= Armenia: With Nagorno Karabagh|year= 2019|location= United Kingdom|publisher= ]|edition= 5|isbn= 978-1-78477-079-2}}

* {{cite book|last= Holding|first= Nicholas|title= Armenia with Nagorno Karabagh|edition= 2|location= London|publisher= Bradt|year= 2006|isbn= 1-84162-163-3}}
* {{cite journal|last= Ismail-Zadeh|first= D.|title= Русские поселения в Закавказье в 30-х — 80-х годах XIX века|url= https://libmonster.ru/m/articles/view/%D0%A0%D0%A3%D0%A1%D0%A1%D0%9A%D0%98%D0%95-%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%A1%D0%95%D0%9B%D0%95%D0%9D%D0%98%D0%AF-%D0%92-%D0%97%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%92%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%97%D0%AC%D0%95-%D0%92-30-%D1%85-80-%D1%85-%D0%93%D0%9E%D0%94%D0%90%D0%A5-XIX-%D0%92%D0%95%D0%9A%D0%90|trans-title= Russian settlements in Transcaucasia in the 30s-80s of the 19th century|location= Moscow|journal= ]|publisher= ]|year= 1976|page= 20|issn= 0042-8779}}
* {{cite journal|last= Ismail-Zadeh|first= D.|title= Русские поселения в Закавказье в 30-х — 80-х годах XIX века|url= https://libmonster.ru/m/articles/view/%D0%A0%D0%A3%D0%A1%D0%A1%D0%9A%D0%98%D0%95-%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%A1%D0%95%D0%9B%D0%95%D0%9D%D0%98%D0%AF-%D0%92-%D0%97%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%92%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%97%D0%AC%D0%95-%D0%92-30-%D1%85-80-%D1%85-%D0%93%D0%9E%D0%94%D0%90%D0%A5-XIX-%D0%92%D0%95%D0%9A%D0%90|trans-title= Russian settlements in Transcaucasia in the 30s–80s of the 19th century|location= Moscow|journal= ]|publisher= ]|year= 1976|page= 20|issn= 0042-8779|language= ru|access-date= 15 December 2021|archive-date= 15 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211215085104/https://libmonster.ru/m/articles/view/%D0%A0%D0%A3%D0%A1%D0%A1%D0%9A%D0%98%D0%95-%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%A1%D0%95%D0%9B%D0%95%D0%9D%D0%98%D0%AF-%D0%92-%D0%97%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%92%D0%9A%D0%90%D0%97%D0%AC%D0%95-%D0%92-30-%D1%85-80-%D1%85-%D0%93%D0%9E%D0%94%D0%90%D0%A5-XIX-%D0%92%D0%95%D0%9A%D0%90|url-status= live}}

* {{cite book|last = Kaufman|first = Stuart|author-link= Stuart Kaufman|title = Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War|publisher = ] Studies in Security Affairs|year = 2001|location = New York|page= 61|isbn = 0-8014-8736-6}} * {{cite book|last = Kaufman|first = Stuart|author-link= Stuart Kaufman|title = Modern Hatreds: The Symbolic Politics of Ethnic War|publisher = ] Studies in Security Affairs|year = 2001|location = New York|page= 61|isbn = 0-8014-8736-6}}
* {{cite book|last1= Kiesling|first1= Brady|last2= Kojian|first2= Raffi|author-link1= Brady Kiesling|chapter= Stepanakert|title= Rediscovering Armenia: an archaeological/touristic gazetteer and map set for the historical monuments of Armenia|edition= 2|location= Yerevan|publisher= Matit|year= 2005|isbn= 99941-0-121-8|chapter-url= http://www.armeniapedia.org/Rediscovering_Armenia_Guidebook-_Stepanakert|access-date= 17 December 2021|archive-date= 17 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211217162618/http://www.armeniapedia.org/Rediscovering_Armenia_Guidebook-_Stepanakert|url-status= live}}

* {{cite book|last2= Nevins|first2= Debbie|last1= King|first1= David C.|title= Azerbaijan|author-link1= David C. King|location= New York|year= 2020|publisher= Cavendish Square|page= 7|isbn= 978-1-5026-5871-5}}
* {{cite book|last= Kocharyan|first= G. A.|title= Nagorno-Karabakh|location= Baku|publisher= Society for Survey and Study of Azerbaijan|year= 1925|page= 46|url= https://www.twirpx.com/file/3516807/|url-access= subscription}} * {{cite book|last= Kocharyan|first= G. A.|title= Nagorno-Karabakh|location= Baku|publisher= Society for Survey and Study of Azerbaijan|year= 1925|page= 46|url= https://www.twirpx.com/file/3516807/|url-access= subscription}}
* {{cite book|last= Kuciukian|first= Pietro|author-link= Pietro Kuciukian|title= Giardino di tenebra: viaggio in Nagorno Karabagh|chapter= Capitolo ottavo : La città di Stefano|trans-title= Garden of Darkness: Journey to Nagorno Karabakh|year= 2003|location= Milan|publisher= Guerini e Associati|url= http://digital.casalini.it/8883354133|doi= 10.1400/41657|pages= 1000–1005|isbn= 978-88-8195-285-4|access-date= 14 December 2021|archive-date= 6 July 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220706001620/https://digital.casalini.it/8883354133|url-status= live}}

* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Kuliev|first= Jemil|author-link= :az:Cəmil Quliyev (tarixçi)|title= Khankendi|encyclopedia= ]|location= Baku|publisher= Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences|year= 1987|volume= 10|url= https://archive.org/details/ace-x-cild/page/49/mode/2up|lang= az}}
* {{cite book|last= Kuciukian|first= Pietro|author-link= Pietro Kuciukian|title= Giardino di tenebra : viaggio in Nagorno Karabagh|trans-title= Garden of Darkness: Journey to Nagorno Karabakh|year= 2003|location= Milan|publisher= Guerini e Associati|url= http://digital.casalini.it/8883354133|doi= 10.1400/41657|pages= 1000-1005|isbn= 9788881952854}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Lagasse|first= Paul|title= Khankendi|url= https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Khankendi|volume= 1|encyclopedia= ]|year= 2000|edition= 6|location= New York|publisher= ]|oclc= 746941797|access-date= 18 December 2021|archive-date= 18 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211218112813/https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Khankendi|url-status= live}}

* {{cite book |url=http://karabakhfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/1988/03/Karabagh-File.pdf |title=The Karabagh File |location=Cambridge, Toronto|year=1988 |isbn=0-916431-26-6 |editor-last=Libaridian |editor-first=Gerard J. |editor-link=Gerard Libaridian |edition=1st |publisher= ]|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220200213/http://karabakhfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/1988/03/Karabagh-File.pdf |archive-date=20 February 2022 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Kuliev|first= Jemil|author-link= :az:Cəmil Quliyev (tarixçi)|title= Khankendi|work= ]|location= Baku|publisher= Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences|year= 1987|volume= 10|url= https://archive.org/details/ace-x-cild/page/49/mode/2up|lang= az}}
* {{cite book|last1 = Lobell|first1 = Steven E.|last2 = Mauceri|first2 = Phillip|title = Ethnic Conflict and International Politics: Explaining Diffusion and Escalation|url = https://archive.org/details/ethnicconflictin00lobe|url-access = limited|publisher = Palgrave MacMillan|year = 2004|location = New York|isbn = 1-4039-6356-8|page = }}

* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Mkrtchyan|first= Shahen|author-link= :hy:Շահեն Մկրտչյան|title= Stepanakert |encyclopedia= ]|lang= hy|location= Yerevan|publisher= Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR|year= 1985|volume= 11|pages= 124–125|editor= ]|oclc= 22420067}}
* {{cite book|last1 = Lobell|first1 = Steven E.|last2= Mauceri|first2= Phillip|title = Ethnic Conflict and International Politics: Explaining Diffusion and Escalation|url = https://archive.org/details/ethnicconflictin00lobe|url-access = limited|publisher = Palgrave MacMillan|year = 2004|location = New York|isbn = 1-4039-6356-8|page =}}
* {{cite book|last1= Mutafian|first1= Claude|author-link1= Claude Mutafian|chapter= Karabagh In The Twentieth Century|title= The Caucasian Knot: The History & Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh|first2= Levon|last2= Chorbajian|first3= Patrick|last3=Donabédian|location= London and New Jersey|publisher= ]|year= 1994|page= 139|isbn= 978-1-85649-288-1}}

* {{cite book|last= New York|first= American Geographical Society of|author-link= American Geographical Society|title= Soviet Geography|volume= 29|year= 1988|issue= 1–6|location= United States|publisher= Scripta Publishing Company|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Dy4YAAAAIAAJ|page= 80|access-date= 23 January 2022|archive-date= 23 September 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230923063546/https://books.google.com/books?id=Dy4YAAAAIAAJ|url-status= live}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Mkrtchyan|first= Shahen|author-link= :hy:Շահեն Մկրտչյան|title= Stepanakert |work= ]|lang= hy|location= Yerevan|publisher= Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR|year= 1985|volume= 11|pages= 124-125|editor= ]|oclc= 22420067}}
* {{cite book|last=Payaslian|first= Simon|author-link= Simon Payaslian|title= The History of Armenia: From the Origins to the Present|year= 2008|location= New York|publisher= ]|page= 174|isbn= 978-0-230-60858-0}}

* {{cite encyclopedia|last= Prokhorov|first= Alexander|title= Stepanakert|url= https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Xankendi|encyclopedia= ]|location= Moscow|year= 1977|publisher= Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya|edition= 3|author-link= Alexander Prokhorov|oclc= 14476314|access-date= 18 December 2021|archive-date= 18 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211218104049/https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Xankendi|url-status= live}}
*{{cite book|last1= Mutafian|first1= Claude|author-link1= Claude Mutafian|chapter= Karabagh In The Twentieth Century|title= The Caucasian Knot: The History & Geopolitics of Nagorno-Karabagh|first2= Levon|last2= Chorbajian|first3= Patrick|last3=Donabédian|location= London and New Jersey|publisher= ]|year= 1994|page= 139|isbn= 9781856492881}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Saparov |first1=Arsène |title=Contested spaces: the use of place-names and symbolic landscape in the politics of identity and legitimacy in Azerbaijan |journal=Central Asian Survey |date=2017 |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=534–554 |doi=10.1080/02634937.2017.1350139|s2cid=149221754 | issn = 0263-4937 }}

* {{cite journal|last= Saparov|first= Arséne|title= Why Autonomy? The Making of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region 1918–1925|journal= ]|volume= 64|number= 2|year= 2012|publisher= ]|url= https://newcoldwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Why-AutonomyThe-Making-of-Nagorno-Karabakh-Arsene-Saparov.pdf|pages= 281–323|doi= 10.1080/09668136.2011.642583|s2cid= 154783461|access-date= 24 December 2021|archive-date= 24 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211224092744/https://newcoldwar.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Why-AutonomyThe-Making-of-Nagorno-Karabakh-Arsene-Saparov.pdf|url-status= live}}
*{{cite book|last=Payaslian|first= Simon|author-link= Simon Payaslian|title= The History of Armenia: From the Origins to the Present|year= 2008|location= New York|publisher= ]|page= 174|isbn= 978-0-230-60858-0}}
* {{cite journal|last=Uhlig|first= Mark A.|title= The Karabakh war|journal= ]|volume= 10|number= 4|year= 1993|pages= 47–52|location= New York|publisher= ]|issn= 0740-2775|jstor= 40209334}}
* {{cite book|last= Vardanian|first= Manuk|title= Атлас Нагорно-Карабахской Республики|trans-title= Atlas Nagorno-Karabakh Republic|location= Yerevan|publisher= GNO "Center for Geodesy and Cartography"|year= 2009|isbn= 978-99941-0-336-2|page= 45|language= ru}}
* {{cite journal|last= Zubkova|first= Elena Yurievna|title= Власть и развитие этноконфликтной ситуации в СССР. 1953-1985 гг.|trans-title= Power and Development of the Ethno-Conflict Situation in the USSR|url= https://xn----7sbxcach3agmieaceq1th.xn--p1ai/archive/2004-4|journal= ]|location= Moscow|publisher= ]|year= 2004|number= 4|page= 22|issn= 0869-5687|language= ru|access-date= 18 December 2021|archive-date= 18 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211218100217/https://xn----7sbxcach3agmieaceq1th.xn--p1ai/archive/2004-4|url-status= live}}
{{refend}} {{refend}}


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Latest revision as of 09:08, 23 December 2024

City in Azerbaijan "Xankəndi" redirects here. For other uses, see Xankəndi (disambiguation).

City in Karabakh, Azerbaijan
Stepanakert / Khankendi Ստեփանակերտ / Xankəndi
City
From top left: Holy Mother of God Cathedral Renaissance Square • Downtown Stepanakert Stepanakert Airport • Stepanakert skyline Park Hotel Artsakh  • We Are Our Mountains Artsakh University  • Stepanakert MemorialFrom top left:
Holy Mother of God Cathedral
Renaissance Square • Downtown Stepanakert
Stepanakert Airport • Stepanakert skyline
Park Hotel Artsakh  • We Are Our Mountains
Artsakh University  • Stepanakert Memorial
Stepanakert / Khankendi is located in AzerbaijanStepanakert / KhankendiStepanakert / KhankendiLocation of Stepanakert/Khankendi in Azerbaijan and its Karabakh Economic Region.Show map of AzerbaijanStepanakert / Khankendi is located in Karabakh Economic RegionStepanakert / KhankendiStepanakert / KhankendiStepanakert / Khankendi (Karabakh Economic Region)Show map of Karabakh Economic Region
Coordinates: 39°48′55″N 46°45′7″E / 39.81528°N 46.75194°E / 39.81528; 46.75194
CountryAzerbaijan
RegionKarabakh
City status1940
Government
 • President's special representativeElchin Yusubov
Area
 • Total29.12 km (11.24 sq mi)
Elevation813 m (2,667 ft)
Population
 • Total75,000
 • Density2,600/km (6,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+4 (GMT+4)
Area code+994 26
Sources: Stepanakert city area and population

Stepanakert (Armenian: Ստեփանակերտ, romanizedStepʻanakert, Eastern pronunciation: [stɛpʰɑnɑˈkɛɾt]) or Khankendi (Azerbaijani: Xankəndi, pronounced [xɑncænˈdi] ) is a city in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The city was under the control and the capital city of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh prior to the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in the region. The city is located in a valley on the eastern slopes of the Karabakh mountain range, on the left bank of the Qarqarçay (Karkar) river.

The area that would become Stepanakert was originally an Armenian settlement named Vararakn. During the Soviet period, the city was made the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, becoming a hub for economic and industrial activity. In addition, the city became a hotbed for political activity, serving as the center for Armenian demonstrations calling for the unification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Stepanakert suffered extensive damage following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the outbreak of the First Nagorno-Karabakh War and passed into the hands of local Armenians with the establishment of the Republic of Artsakh. During the Soviet and Artsakh periods, the city was a regional center of education and culture, being home to Artsakh University, musical schools, and a palace of culture. The economy was based on the service industry and had varied enterprises, food processing, wine making, and silk weaving being the most important. As of 2021, the population of Stepanakert was 75,000.

In September 2023, Azerbaijani authorities took control of the city, with almost the entire Armenian population forced to flee to Armenia ahead of the advancing Azerbaijani forces. It was an abandoned ghost city for a year; Azerbaijan began settling new permanent residents in the city in September 2024 with the opening of Karabakh University.

Etymology

Medieval Armenian sources attest to a settlement in the locale called Vararakn (Armenian: Վարարակն, lit.'rapid spring'). In 1847, the village was officially renamed from Vararakn to Khankendi by the Russian authorities; however, Vararakn remained the local Armenian name for the town until 1923.

Most Azerbaijani sources claim that the settlement was built in late 18th century, as a place of rest for the heads of the Karabakh Khanate. In the first years, it was known as "Khan's village" (Azerbaijani: Xanın kəndi) because only the khan's family and his relatives lived there. By the 19th century, the settlement was renamed Khankendi ("village of the khan" in Azerbaijani).

The town was renamed Stepanakert ("city of Stepan") in 1923, after Armenian Bolshevik revolutionary Stepan Shahumian. The name is formed from the words Stepan (Armenian: Ստեփան) and kert (Armenian: կերտ, lit.'created').

History

Founding and Soviet era

19th century Russian postcard of Shusha with the garrison of Khankendi in the distance.

According to medieval Armenian sources, the settlement was originally an Armenian village named Vararakn (Armenian: Վարարակն). From the 10th–16th centuries, the settlement was a part of the Armenian Principality of Khachen. Over the centuries, it would successively pass into the hands of the meliks of Karabakh and the Karabakh khans before coming under the control of the Russian Empire in 1822.

In the Russian Empire, the town was a part of the Shusha uezd of the Elizavetpol Governorate. According to the 19th-century author Raffi, in 1826, the local Armenian meliks met with the Persian crown prince Abbas Mirza, who had invaded Karabakh with his army, in the village to reconcile with the Persians and ensure the safety of the Karabakh Armenian population. In 1847, Vararakn was a village of about 132 houses, consisting of 80 Armenian households, 52 Russian households, an Armenian church, and a cemetery. That same year, the village was renamed from Vararakn to Khankendi. By 1886, there were 52 houses in the settlement. The population of Khankendi consisted of retired soldiers and their descendants, who belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church. The population was engaged in agriculture, as well as various crafts, carriage, the renting of apartments (mainly to military personnel), and so on. After 1898, the tsarist government turned Khankendi into a Russian military garrison. The garrison consisted of barracks, hospitals, and a church, as well as several houses where officers' families and a small local population, who supplied the military units with food, lived. The local population consisted of Armenians and Azerbaijanis.

The Presidential Palace, formerly the building of the Supreme Soviet of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.

In February 1920, after a body thought to be of an Azerbaijani soldier was found, an anti-Armenian riot took place in the village that claimed several hundred lives. Following the massacre of the Armenian population of Shusha in March 1920, the city received an influx of Armenians; as a result, Armenians formed the majority of the population from that time onwards. In the summer of 1920, the city was occupied by part of the Red Army. In 1923, Khankendi was renamed Stepanakert by the Soviet government in honor of Stepan Shahumian, a fallen Bolshevik party member and leader of the 26 Baku Commissars. The former regional capital was Shusha. However, following the depopulation of Armenians in Shusha, the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) was sited in Stepanakert. At the time of the formation of the NKAO, Stepanakert was a dilapidated settlement, where the number of surviving buildings barely reached 10 to 15. Some of the buildings were completely destroyed, others lacked doors and windows, while only walls remained from a number of buildings. During the first years of the oblast, some of the buildings were restored and many were rebuilt, roads were improved, and electricity and telephone communications were installed in the city. In time, Stepanakert grew to become the region's most important city (a status it received in 1940). Its population rose from 10,459 in 1939 to 33,000 in 1978.

In 1926, municipal authorities adopted a new city layout designed by Aleksandr Tamanian; two additional designs for expansion were approved in the 1930s and 1960s, both of which retained Tamanian's initial plan. Several schools and two polyclinics were established, and an Armenian drama theater was founded in 1932 and named after Maxim Gorky. In 1960, the ensemble of the central square of Stepanakert was built with the building of the regional committee (now the NKR government). This square, then named after Lenin, became the arena of many rallies demanding the transfer of the NKAO to the Armenian SSR. By 1968, the first outbreak of ethnic violence occurred in Stepanakert. In the city, a trial was held over an Azerbaijani director of the city school who was accused of murdering an Armenian girl. The Armenians, who considered the verdict of the Azerbaijani judge too lenient, gathered outside the court building and burned the car which the criminal and judge were in.

Stepanakert served as Nagorno-Karabakh's main economic hub, and by the mid-1980s there were nineteen factories in operation in the city, including an electrical and asphalt plant. By the end of the Soviet era, Stepanakert had an agricultural technical school, a pedagogical institute, a medical and music school, a local history museum, and a drama theater.

First Nagorno-Karabakh War and Armenian control

Main article: Stepanakert in the Republic of Artsakh
Renaissance Square.
Freedom Fighters' Boulevard in central Stepanakert.

The political and economic reforms that General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev undertook in 1985 saw a marked decentralization of Soviet authority. Armenians, in both the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh, viewed Gorbachev's reform program as an opportunity to unite the two together. On 20 February 1988, tens of thousands of Armenians gathered to demonstrate in Stepanakert's Lenin Square (now Renaissance Square) to demand that the region be joined to Armenia. On the same day, the Supreme Soviet of Nagorno-Karabakh voted to join the Armenian SSR, a move strongly opposed by the Soviet Azerbaijani authorities.

Relations between Stepanakert's Armenians and Azerbaijanis, who supported the Azerbaijani government's position, deteriorated in the following years. Inter-ethnic strife in the city in September 1988, encompassing physical attacks and burning of property, forced nearly all Azerbaijanis to flee the city. The Soviet Army took up positions in the city and announced a curfew three days later. In 1990 the army dispatched special forces units and various other elements to Stepanakert in order to prevent its takeover by Azerbaijani forces.

After Azerbaijan declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Stepanakert was renamed Khankendi by the Azerbaijani government. Fighting broke out over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, which, after three years of war, resulted in Armenian control of the region and a connecting corridor to Armenia to the west. Prior to the conflict, Stepanakert was the largest city of the NKAO, with a population of 70,000 out of a total 189,000 (Armenians at the time comprised 75% of the region's total population). By early 1992, that figure had dropped to 50,000.

A T-72 tank memorial from the First Karabakh War.

During the war, the city suffered immense damage from Azerbaijani bombardment, especially in early 1992 when the Azerbaijanis positioned BM-21 Grad rocket artillery in Shusha and rained down missiles over Stepanakert. A journalist for Time noted in an April 1992 article that "scarcely a single building escaped damage in Stepanakert." It was not until 9 May 1992, with the capture of Shusha, that the ground bombardment ceased. The city, nevertheless, continued to suffer aerial bombardment until the end of the war. As a result, the majority of the city was in a severely damaged state. As of 2016, the city had not been completely restored from the war.

The city came under intense bombardment once again during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. Residential areas were continuously hit by the Azerbaijani Army with cluster munitions throughout the war, starting on the first day of fighting, and residents were urged to use the city's bomb shelters. As Azerbaijani forces advanced on the city of Shusha, the Lachin corridor was shut down by Artsakh authorities.

With Azerbaijani forces 15 km (9.3 mi) from the capital, a ceasefire agreement was signed on 10 November. As part of the agreement, Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region. Following the war, the population of Stepanakert swelled to 75,000 residents as a result of some 10,000 to 15,000 displaced people who lost their homes elsewhere in the Republic of Artsakh during the war.

Control by Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev raised the Flag of Azerbaijan over the city on 15 October 2023

On 19–20 September 2023 Azerbaijan launched a new offensive in the region, which ended in a ceasefire and led to a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians a few days later. By 29 September 2023, police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Artsakh left all their weapons in Stepanakert and completely abandoned the region. Azerbaijani police vehicles began patrolling the area on 29 September and the Azerbaijani flag was placed on the city's We Are Our Mountains monument. From 1 October, Azerbaijani officials began working from the former Artsakh police headquarters, Azerbaijan took over responsibility for medical services in the city and its area was covered by the Azerbaijani mobile networks. An Al Jazeera news crew reported from the city later that day, showing deserted streets in what the reporter described as "A ghost town with no soul left".

After the offensive and Armenian exodus, sources reported that Azerbaijani authorities issued a map of Stepanakert renaming one of the streets after Enver Pasha, one of the main perpetrators of the Armenian genocide. An Azerbaijani official disputed this during a case at the International Court of Justice, saying that "No streets in Khankandi have been renamed".

President Ilham Aliyev visited the city on 15 October and officially raised the flag of Azerbaijan at the building that was previously used as the Artsakh Presidential Palace.

In December 2023, the first football match since the resumption of Azerbaijani control was played between MOIK Baku and Qarabağ FK from Aghdam in the Azerbaijan Cup.

In the following months, Azerbaijani authorities dismantled monuments symbolizing Artsakh, including the Giant Cross and the Eagle Monument, and statues of prominent Armenians in the city, among them, Stepan Shahumyan (after whom Stepanakert is named), Charles Aznavour and Alexander Myasnikyan.

In early March 2024, Azerbaijani authorities demolished the National Assembly of Artsakh Building and the Artsakh Freedom Fighters Union Building. In November 2024, reports emerged that Azerbaijan demolished the historical Armenian center of the city.

Culture and economy

Main article: Stepanakert in the Republic of Artsakh
We Are Our Mountains
Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God

The Vahram Papazyan Drama Theater of Stepanakert was founded in 1932. In 1967, the monumental complex of Stepanakert known as We Are Our Mountains was erected to the north of Stepanakert, It is widely regarded as a symbol of the Armenian heritage of the historic Artsakh. After the independence of Armenia, many cultural and youth centres were reopened. The cultural palace of the city was named after Charles Aznavour.

Stepanakert was home to the Mesrop Mashtots Republican Library opened in 1924, Artsakh History Museum opened in 1939, Hovhannes Tumanyan Children's Library opened in 1947, Stepanakert National Gallery opened in 1982, and the Memorial Museum of the Martyred Liberators opened in 2002. A new cultural complex of the Armenian heritage of Artsakh was under construction.

The Artsakh State Museum, based in Stepanakert, had an important collection of ancient artifacts and Christian manuscripts.

Education

The Union of Artsakh Freedom Fighters

Stepanakert was the center of higher education in Artsakh. Five higher educational institutions operated in the city:

  • Artsakh State University, founded in 1969 as a branch of the Baku Pedagogical Institute. In 1973, it was renamed Stepanakert Pedagogical Institute and following the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, in 1992, it received its current status. The university offered courses spread across seven departments and has 4,500 students.
  • Stepanakert campus of the Armenian National Agrarian University.
  • Grigor Narekatsi University (private).
  • Mesrop Mashtots University (private).
  • Gyurjyan Institute for Applied Arts (private).

Many new schools in Stepanakert were opened from the late 1990s to 2010 with the help of the Armenian diaspora. Existing schools were also renovated with donations from the diaspora.

The Stepanakert branch of Tumo Center for Creative Technologies was opened in September 2015, as a result of continued cooperation between the Tumo Centre and the Armenian General Benevolent Union, with the support of mobile operator Karabakh Telecom.

Sport

Stepanakert Republican Stadium

Football was a popular sport in Nagorno-Karabakh and the city has a renovated football stadium. Since the mid-1990s, football teams from Karabakh started taking part in some domestic competitions in Armenia. Lernayin Artsakh is the football club that represents the city of Stepanakert. The Artsakh national football league was launched in 2009.

The non-FIFA affiliated Artsakh national football team was formed in 2012 and played their first competitive match against the unrecognized Abkhazia national football team in Sukhumi on 17 September 2012. The match ended with a 1–1 draw. The following month, on 21 October 2012, Artsakh played the return match at the Stepanakert Republican Stadium against Abkhazia, winning it with a result of 3–0.

There was also interest in other sports, including basketball and volleyball.

Artsakh athletes also took part with the representing teams and athletes in the Pan-Armenian Games, organized in Armenia.

As an unrecognized entity, the athletes of Artsakh competed in international sports competitions under the flag of Armenia.

Twin towns – sister cities

Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in the Republic of Artsakh

Stepanakert was twinned with:

  • Montebello, United States: On 25 September 2005, Montebello, California and Stepanakert became sister cities. This prompted a complaint by the ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States, Hafiz Pashayev, who sent a letter to California leaders, stating that the decision jeopardized peace talks between his country and Armenia. The letter was sent to then-California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who deferred the letter to Montebello mayor Bill Molinari since it concerned a local, not a state, issue. Molinari responded to Pashayev that the city would go ahead with its plans to inaugurate Stepanakert under the sister city program. Stepanakert's relationship with Montebello is aimed at revitalizing the capital's economic infrastructure and building cultural and educational ties, as well as developing trade and health care between the two cities. Azerbaijan has described this as a contradictory foreign policy of the United States that supports the NKR government and Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan.
  • Mairiporã, Brazil: Since June 18, 2018, Law 3767/18 has made Eternal Armenia the name that declares Sister Cities the Municipalities of Mairiporã, State of São Paulo, and Stepanakert, capital of the self-declared Nagorno-Karabakh Republic which triggered an alert from Itamaraty, Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the attitude of the Municipality as Brazil does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Friendship declarations

  • On 22 May 1998, Stepanakert and the commune of Villeurbanne in France signed a Friendship Declaration.
  • On 28 September 2012, Stepanakert and Yerevan, Armenia, the capitals of the two Armenian republics, became friends after signing a partnership agreement.
  • On 15 September 2014, San Sebastián, Spain, and Stepanakert signed a cooperation agreement.
  • On 17 May 2015, Stepanakert and the commune of Valence in France signed a Friendship Declaration.
  • On 3 February 2016, Stepanakert signed a Friendship Declaration with the municipality of Franco da Rocha, Brazil.
  • On 23 July 2019, Stepanakert signed a Friendship Declaration with the City of Ryde, Australia.

Religion

The late-19th-century church of Vararakn was destroyed in the 1930s to build the Stepanakert Drama Theatre. Throughout the rest of the Soviet era, there were no traditional churches in Stepanakert, although most of the population of the city were members of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The church of Surp Hakob (or Saint James) was opened in 2007; it remained the only open church in the city until 2019. The church was financed by Nerses Yepremian from Los Angeles. The church was consecrated on 9 May 2007, in honor of the 15th anniversary of the capture of Shusha by Armenian forces.

The construction of the Holy Mother of God Cathedral was launched on 19 July 2006. The cost of the project was expected to be around US$2 million and the architect of the church is Gagik Yeranosyan. However, the construction process was slow due to a lack of financial resources. The inauguration of the church was expected to take place in September 2016. Construction finished and the church was opened in 2019.

There was small community of Armenian Evangelicals with around 500 members. The only Armenian evangelical church in Artsakh was located in Stepanakert. The Evangelical community supported many schools, hospitals and other institutions through the help of the Armenian Diaspora.

Economy

Stepanakert Bazaar (Shuka)

The city was a regional center of education and culture, being home to Artsakh University, musical schools, and a palace of culture. The economy was based on the service industry and has varied enterprises, food processing, wine making, and silk weaving being the most important. In 2021, the population of Stepanakert was 75,000.

Stepanakert was the center of the economy of Artsakh. Prior to the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, the economy of Stepanakert was mainly based on food-processing industries, silk weaving and winemaking. Inhabitants also engaged in producing furniture and footwear. The economy was severely damaged due to the 1988 earthquake in Armenia and the First Nagorno Karabakh war. In the years following, the economy was developed further, mainly due to investments from the Armenian diaspora. However, following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, the economy once again experienced severe damage, particularly in the tourism sector.

The most developed sectors of Stepanakert and the rest of the Republic of Artsakh are tourism and services. Several hotels were opened by diasporan Armenians from Russia, the United States and Australia. Artsakhbank was the largest banking services provider in Artsakh, while Karabakh Telecom was the leading provider of mobile telecommunications and other communication services.

Stepanakert was also home to many large industrial firms, including Stepanakert Brandy Factory, Artsakh Berry food products and Artsakh Footwear Factory.

Construction was also one of the leading sectors in the city. Artsakh Hek is the leading construction firm, while Base Metals was the leader in mining and production of building materials.

Geography and climate

Stepanakert is located on the Karabakh plateau, at an average altitude of 813 m (2,667 ft) above sea level.

The city has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) according to the Köppen climate classification system and an oceanic climate (Do) according to the Trewartha climate classification system. In the month of January, the average temperature drops to 1 °C (34 °F). In July, it averages around 23 °C (73 °F). Extreme temperatures ranged from −15.0 °C (5 °F) on January 8, 1974, to 37.0 °C (99 °F) on July 11, 1978.

Climate data for Stepanakert (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1959–1991)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0)
19.0
(66.2)
22.8
(73.0)
30.3
(86.5)
30.0
(86.0)
37.0
(98.6)
37.0
(98.6)
36.0
(96.8)
31.0
(87.8)
25.0
(77.0)
21.2
(70.2)
21.0
(69.8)
37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)
5.2
(41.4)
9.0
(48.2)
16.1
(61.0)
19.5
(67.1)
24.5
(76.1)
28.1
(82.6)
27.1
(80.8)
23.2
(73.8)
16.4
(61.5)
11.4
(52.5)
7.3
(45.1)
16.0
(60.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 1.1
(34.0)
1.4
(34.5)
5.1
(41.2)
11.6
(52.9)
15.3
(59.5)
19.8
(67.6)
23.3
(73.9)
22.3
(72.1)
18.7
(65.7)
12.6
(54.7)
7.7
(45.9)
3.7
(38.7)
11.9
(53.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.6
(27.3)
−2.5
(27.5)
1.1
(34.0)
7.0
(44.6)
11.0
(51.8)
15.1
(59.2)
18.4
(65.1)
17.4
(63.3)
14.2
(57.6)
8.7
(47.7)
4.0
(39.2)
0.1
(32.2)
7.7
(45.8)
Record low °C (°F) −15.0
(5.0)
−11.0
(12.2)
−12.7
(9.1)
−1.0
(30.2)
4.0
(39.2)
6.6
(43.9)
11.3
(52.3)
10.9
(51.6)
6.0
(42.8)
−2.0
(28.4)
−6.0
(21.2)
−8.6
(16.5)
−15.0
(5.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 19
(0.7)
25
(1.0)
42
(1.7)
49
(1.9)
102
(4.0)
79
(3.1)
41
(1.6)
27
(1.1)
34
(1.3)
39
(1.5)
35
(1.4)
13
(0.5)
505
(19.9)
Average precipitation days 6 6 10 10 14 10 4 4 6 6 5 4 85
Source: NOAA

Politics and government

During the period of the USSR, Stepanakert served as the capital of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast within the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic, between 1923 and 1991. With the self-declared independence of Artsakh in 1991, Stepanakert continued with its status as the political and cultural centre of the newly established republic, being home to all the national institutions: the Government House, the National Assembly, the Presidential Palace, the Constitutional Court, all ministries, judicial bodies and other government organizations.

Under the Republic of Artsakh, the city of Stepanakert was governed by the Stepanakert City Council and the mayor of Stepanakert. The last local elections took place in September 2019. The most recent mayor was Davit Sargsyan.

Government buildings

  • The National Assembly The National Assembly
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Government building, 20 February Street Government building, 20 February Street

Demographics

Year Armenians Azerbaijanis Others Total
Number % Number % Number %
1897 628 42.0 442 29.6 425 28.4 1,495
1926 2,724 85.4 343 10.8 122 3.8 3,189
1939 9,079 86.8 672 6.4 708 6.8 10,459
1959 17,640 89.5 1,143 5.8 920 4.7 19,703
1970 26,684 88.1 2,762 9.1 847 2.8 30,293
1979 33,898 87.0 4,303 11.0 747 2.0 38,948
September 1988: First Nagorno-Karabakh War: Expulsion of Azerbaijani population
2005 49,848 99.7 2 0.0 136 0.3 49,986
2010 52,900 52,900
2015 55,309 55,309
September–November 2020:Second Nagorno-Karabakh War
2021 75,000 75,000
September 2023: Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh
2024 c. 24 1,264+ 1,288+
Saint James' Church

According to the data of the Transcaucasian Statistical Committee, extracted from the family lists of 1886, there were 71 houses and 279 residents registered in Khankendi (recorded as Ханкенды, Khankendy in Russian), of which 276 were Russians, 2 Armenians and 1 Tatar (later known as Azerbaijani), who were respectively Orthodox, Armenian Gregorian and Sunni Muslim by religion. According to the Russian Empire Census of 1897, the village, labelled as Khan-kendy (Russian: Ханъ-кенды), had a population of 1,495 consisting of 801 men and 694 women; there were 628 Armenian Apostolics, 442 Muslims, and 394 Orthodox.

According to the 1910 publication of the Caucasian Calendar—a statistical almanac published by the office of the viceroy—there were 362 residents in the village of Khankendy of the Shusha uezd of the Elizavetpol Governorate in 1908, predominantly Russians. The 1912 publication of the Caucasian Calendar registered 1,076 residents, also predominantly Russians. According to the 1915 publication of the Caucasian Calendar, there were 1,550 predominantly Tatar residents in Khankendi. According to the Azerbaijani agricultural census of 1921, Khankendi had a population of 1,208 residents, mostly Armenians. In 1973, Stepanakert had a population of 32,000.

Transport

A routed taxicab minibus in Stepanakert
Stepanakert Airport

Bus

Stepanakert was served by a number of regular minibus lines. Old Soviet-era buses have been replaced with new modern buses. Regular trips to other provinces of Nagorno-Karabakh were also operated from the city.

Air

Stepanakert was served by the nearby Stepanakert Airport, north of the city near the town of Khojaly. In 2009, facilities reconstruction and repair work began. Though originally scheduled to launch the first commercial flights on 9 May 2011, Karabakh officials postponed a new reopening date throughout the whole of 2011. In May 2012, the director of the NKR's Civil Aviation Administration, Tigran Gabrielyan, announced that the airport would begin operations in summer 2012. However, the airport still remains closed due to political reasons. The OSCE Minsk Group, which mediates the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stated that "operation of cannot be used to support any claim of a change in the status of Nagorno-Karabakh" and "urged the sides to act in accordance with international law and consistent with current practice for flights over their territory."

Railway

Stepanakert used to be connected through a railway line via Aghdam and Barda to the Yevlakh station on the Baku-Tbilisi railway. However, trips were discontinued due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As of 2024, the railway is undergoing reconstruction, with the section between Aghdam and Barda expected to reopen in 2025.

Notable people

Serzh Sargsyan; third President of Armenia.

Notes

  1. The city was described as a "ghost town" by several sources following the Azerbaijani takeover.
  2. Mentioned as "Muslims" in the 1897 census and "Turks" in the 1926 census.

References

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