Stepanavan Dendropark: A Botanical Oasis

Stepanavan Dendropark, officially named Sochut Dendropark after its founder Edmund Leonowicz, is a remarkable botanical garden located near the village of Gyulagarak in the Lori Province of Armenia. Situated approximately 155 km north of Yerevan, this 35-hectare arboretum was established in 1931 by Polish engineer-forester Edmon Leonowicz. Leonowicz's vision transformed a natural forest landscape into a unique forest park, the first of its kind in the Transcaucasus. The park is divided into two main sections: 17.5 hectares of natural forest and 15 hectares of ornamental trees. Over the years, the Dendropark has served as a testing ground for over 2,500 plant species, with approximately 500 adapting to the region's climate. The park's collection includes a wide variety of trees and plants from different parts of the world, including the beautiful Magnolia, Larch Larix Decidua, evergreen cypress, Siberian pine, Cryptomeria, and Sequoiadendron. Notably, the park features five Californian sequoias that will continue to grow for hundreds of years. Visitors can explore the park's winding footpaths and vistas, discovering diverse flora from regions like the Far East, Germany, France, Portugal, China, and the United States. The park is considered a miraculous place where all cherished dreams can be fulfilled. There is a small wooden bridge in the park, and it is believed that if you are crossing it for the first time, then you can make a wish, and be sure it will come true. The best time to visit Stepanavan Dendropark is from July to November. The park is also popular in late May and early June during the pine pollen season when people visit to alleviate asthma symptoms.