Shirak marz (region) is situated in the north west of Armenia, on the left bank of the Akhurian river. On the left bank of the Akhurian river lies the Monastery complex of Marmarashen built in 988-1029 AD. To the right of the Akhurian canyon you can also see Ani, a formerly powerful capital of Armenia, but now situated within the borders of Turkey. The region is famous for its tufa mines, a stone with 40 shades of colour, extensively used by Armenian architects. The climate is cool, continental in general.
The marz center is Gyumri. Once an originally flourishing town, was severely damaged by the tragic earthquake in 1988. The town, like the rest of the region, is rich with historical monuments.
