Due to its location on the shores of Dzoraget River among the forest of Lori plateau and Bazum mountains, Stepanavan is considered a resort town in northern Armenia.

The remains of an ancient fortress are found on the western edge of the town dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.

However, the earliest records about human settlement in modern-day Stepanavan dates back to the 5th century, when the basilica of the Holy Mother of God was built on the shores of Dzoraget River (destroyed by the Soviets during the 1930s).

Later in 1185, the province became ruled by the Zakarian dynasty after Queen Tamar of Georgia appointed the Zakarid prince Sarkis as its governor.

[2] The Holy Saviour chapel dating back to the 13th century is still found at the centre of modern-day Stepanavan.

[3] Located on the northern trade route, Tashir region turned into a significant commercial centre in medieval Armenia.

However, the region was devastated by the Mongol invasion of 1236 led by Chaghatai Khan, and the Zakarian dynasty declined by the second half of the 14th century.

During the reign of Catherine the Great,[citation needed] the town of Jalaloghly was founded in 1810, by the Armenian prince Davit Hasan-Jalalyan from Artsakh.

Tashir became officially part of the Russian Empire at the Treaty of Gulistan signed on 1 January 1813 between Imperial Russia and Qajar Persia.

Stepanavan is situated on Lori plateau to the north of Bazum mountains, on the shores of river Dzoraget at an average height of 1375 meters above sea level, covering an area of 17 km2.

The deep gorge of Dzoraget divides Stepanavan into northern and southern banks, the latter of which has deeper historical roots.

Stepanavan was one of Armenia's most famous tourist spots during the Soviet era, but it had suffered major destruction during the Spitak earthquake of 1988.

Nowadays, the city is reviving and tourists from all over the world visit Stepanavan to enjoy the beauty of one of Armenia's most picturesque towns.

The Stepanavan branch of the Crisis Management State Academy is operating since 2006, under the supervision of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia.