Goris is a prominent town located in the Syunik Province of Armenia, situated near the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact. Approximately 240 km from the capital Yerevan and 69 km northeast of the provincial center Kapan, it lies on the banks of the Vararakn River (a tributary of the Vorotan River). The town holds strategic importance as it is located on the Yerevan-Stepanakert highway.

Founded in 1870 as the center of the Zangezur district of the Elisabethpol province, Goris has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Archaeological excavations in the early 1980s uncovered valuable Bronze Age artifacts, including jewelry, daggers, spears, amulets, and pottery from the 3rd-2nd millennia BC, showcasing the high culture and lifestyle of its early inhabitants. Rock carvings found on the slopes of Ishkhanasar, numbering over 1500 and depicting humans and domestic animals, date back to the 5th-2nd millennia BC. Goris was also a significant settlement within the Syunik province of the Armenian Kingdom 2000 years ago, boasting developed social infrastructure.

In medieval times, Goris served as a vital hub on the busy route connecting Nakhichevan to Artsakh and the Caspian steppes, particularly for the salt trade. It was also a key point on one of the Great Silk Road routes, with evidence of a preserved caravanserai. In the 16th century, Goris came under Persian rule, first as part of the Karabakh vicegerency, then the Karabakh Khanate. In 1813, by the Treaty of Gulistan, it became part of Tsarist Russia.

The modern town of Goris, with its distinctive chessboard-patterned architecture and two-story public buildings, was established in 1870 on the right bank of the river. It quickly became a thriving commercial and cultural center, known for its carpet weavers, metalworkers, and brewers. As of 2015, Goris has a population of approximately 20,000 and is situated at an altitude of 1370 meters, encompassing 24 villages.

Old Goris (Kyores), located to the east of the current town, is a fascinating complex of cave dwellings and is considered a historical site with significant tourism potential. The iconic hill known locally as “Lasti Khut” is also situated in the eastern part of the city.
Goris is renowned for its unique natural landscape, featuring extraordinary towers, fortresses, pyramids, caves, and pre-deluge stone wonders that have captivated tourists for centuries.