Sisian (Armenian: Սիսիան ) (Urdu and Persian: سیسیان) formerly also known as Sisakan, Sisavan and later Garakilse, is a city in the southern province of Syunik, Armenia. Located on both banks of Vorotan River, 6 km south of the Yerevan-Meghri highway, at a distance of 217 km from Yerevan and 115 km from Kapan. Sisian forms an urban community (municipality). The National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia (ARMSTAT) reported its population was 16,735 in 2010, down from 16,843 at the 2001 census.
Etymology:
The area of modern-day Sisian was also called Sisakan during ancient historical periods. According to Movses Khorenatsi, the name of Sisakan -and subsequently Sisian- was derived from Sisak, a legendary ancestor of the Armenian princely house of Syuni.
History:
Historically, the territory of modern Sisian was part of Tseghuk canton (Armenian: Ծղուկք գաւառ Tsghukk gavar), at the heart of the ancient province of Syunik, within Armenia Major. During the 4th century, the nearby historic settlement of Shaghat became the residence of the princes and the religious leaders of Syunik. It remained the spiritual and the political centre of the region until the end of the 10th century, when the fortified town of Kapan in Baghk canton was selected as capital of the newly established Kingdom of Siwnik.
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