This historical photograph depicts the Armenian city of Karin in 1916, during the years of the First World War, when it was under the control of Russian forces.

Karin, the official capital of Western Armenia, also known as Erzurum, had for centuries been one of the major cultural, commercial, and educational centers of Western Armenia. The city played an important role in Armenian history and national life, possessing numerous churches, schools, and cultural institutions.

The events of 1916 unfolded under the severe conditions of the genocide committed against Armenians and regional military clashes. Today, historical photographs serve as valuable testimonies of the life, architecture, and social environment of that period.

Currently, Karin is under the control of Turkey, yet it continues to occupy an important place in Armenian historical memory and cultural heritage.