The Abandoned Culture Palace of Jermuk City

Explore the abandoned Culture Palace of Jermuk, an architectural masterpiece by Martin Mikayelyan. A haven for urbexers and urban photographers, this ghostly building with its rich history, intricate sculptures, and vast interiors offers a glimpse into a bygone era.

In the Ajapniak district of Jermuk, home to the city's spas and hotels, the construction of the Palace of Culture began in 1969, designed by the renowned architect Martin Mikayelyan. The original plan included an 800-seat hall, a swimming pool, a club-library complex, and a cafe. Locally, it became known as "КурЗал" ("KURZAL")б an abbreviation of the Russian name "Курортный Зал" (Resort Hall).

A few more steps and we will enter the abandoned culture palace

Boasting rich interiors, sculptures, and decorative pools, the building took 17 years to complete, finally being finished in 1986. This facility, designed as a cohesive unit, includes an 800-seat theater, a swimming pool, a club-library complex, and a cafe. It aims to create not only a complete inner world around a giant winter garden but also a different kind of an atmosphere this time on the roof of the building, which is heated in winter. The roof features a large yacht deck with an outdoor swimming pool, sun decks, a cafe, and an outdoor movie theater.

Inside the culture palace

On the second floor, clay busts of six renowned Armenians were displayed, but sadly, these were destroyed by vandals approximately three years ago. Today, this vast building with its ghostly interior stands as a reminder of the glorious past and the remarkable architectural style of Martin Mikayelyan.

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