Until 1935, the town was known as Elenovka, named after the wife of Czar Nicholas I, and was founded in 1842 by exiled Russian schismatics. The town remained all Russian until the end of the 19th century. Sevan is known for its 1,000-bed psychiatric hospital. One kilometer north is the cyclopean fortress of Metsep. On a hill just south of the village of Tsamakaberd, just east of Sevan, is a cyclopean fortress.
Draining
The peninsula was an island until Stalin decided to drain a lot of the water from the lake and the water level dropped more than 30 meters.The courtyard had some interesting green khatchkars. They were carved from a plentiful local green stone and stood out from the others across Armenia which are all made of tuff. The altar is one of the nicest in Armenia, and this is one of the few active monasteries in Armenia.
Development
On October 12, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated the completion of the installation of a central heating system at the town's hospital. The organization's Mission Deputy Director, Karl Fickenscher, the governor of Gegharkunik, and the city mayor participated in the ceremony. Many other city officials, numerous hospital representatives, and members of Advanced Engineering Associates International were also in attendance.The project was funded by the U.S. government and implemented by Advanced Engineering Associates International. Their support has provided the hospital with a modern and efficient gas heating system. The total cost of the project was $86,773, with 70% of the funding having been provided by USAID, and 30% by the hospital.