Martuni, Karabakh

House of culture ("Opera" house)

Monte Melkonian's statue

Martuni, the capital of the Martuni Region of Karabakh is easily reached via Aghdam, although there is a harder, more direct road from Stepanakert. The town has a cultural center called the "opera" for its resemblance to the one in Yerevan. Next to the opera is a statue to Monte Melkonian. Monte was an American-Armenian who fought during the Karabakh war for independence. He became a commander and after leading his men to many victories was killed towards the end of the war by a sniper. Around his white stone statue are some palm trees, showing that this flatter, low-lying area has some of the mildest winters in all of Armenia and Karabakh.

One time home of Ara Manoogian.