Travel around ancient historical architectural monuments excites the imagination and is always an unforgettable experience. Today we want to offer you a short tour to the most important medieval fortresses of Armenia, which at one time played a huge role in the defense of the country and were important strategic objects of the royal dynasties:
Amberd
Amberd fortress is located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Aragats (the most popular destination for hiking trips in Armenia), which is the highest point of modern Armenia. Amberd is a gem of the Armenian defensive architecture, built in the VIIth century. For many centuries the fortress protected the land from enemy invasions, was destroyed and then rebuilt and reconstructed. The location of the fortress impresses with its beauty: a triangular plateau with a castle is surrounded by a deep gorge and powerful rivers. On the territory of Amberd, there was discovered a unique water supply system which provided residents with water during the prolonged siege of the enemy. On its territory, you can also see a small ancient church, as well as a well-preserved building of the bathhouse.
Erebuni
If you want to get acquainted with the history of the ancient capital of Armenia, Yerevan, we advise visiting the historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Erebuni" located on the slope of the Arin-Berd hill. In the museum, you will get acquainted with various exhibits telling about the formation of the history of the capital. And next to the museum there are the ruins of the ancient fortress Erebuni - the first major military-strategic object of the country. It was founded by King Argishti I in 782 BC. This fact was proved after archaeological excavations carried out on this territory in 1950. Here was found the cuneiform of the king of the Urartian kingdom, which was a document on the construction of the city-fortress of Erebuni.
Smbataberd
Smbataberd Fortress is located in Vayotsdzor region in the western part of Egenis village. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but it is assumed that the fortress existed before the Vth century. Smbataberd was built by all defense canons specific to the Middle Ages. The length of the fortress is 1 km. There is no exact version of its name origin, but there is an opinion that it was named after the knight from the Armenian Orbelian dynasty.
Akhtala
Akhtala Fortress is located in the Lori region on a small plateau in the gorge of the River Debet. The first mention of the fortress dates back to the Xth century, Akhtala was once an important strategic object of the medieval Armenian royal dynasty of Curitides. Behind the walls of the fortress, you can see a unique temple of the 13th century, famous for its wall frescoes which depict fragments from the Old and New Testaments. Those frescoes refer to the Byzantine art of the Cominius period. The images also show the Armenian and Georgian traditions. There is a version that three masters worked on the frescoes: Armenian, Georgian and Greek. Images admire their accuracy and spirituality of faces.
Shushi
Another impressive mysterious fortress is located in the beautiful picturesque region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), in the town of Shushi - a religious and cultural center. It was founded in the XVIII century by the khan Panah-Ali and now its ruins proudly adorn the top of the mountain. You can get acquainted with the rich and difficult history of this town together with the tour to Nagorno-Karabakh.
(Photo #1 by pentaxouche & #2 by sunriseodyssey via Flickr)
Article written by Arpi
Amberd fortress is located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Aragats (the most popular destination for hiking trips in Armenia), which is the highest point of modern Armenia. Amberd is a gem of the Armenian defensive architecture, built in the VIIth century. For many centuries the fortress protected the land from enemy invasions, was destroyed and then rebuilt and reconstructed. The location of the fortress impresses with its beauty: a triangular plateau with a castle is surrounded by a deep gorge and powerful rivers. On the territory of Amberd, there was discovered a unique water supply system which provided residents with water during the prolonged siege of the enemy. On its territory, you can also see a small ancient church, as well as a well-preserved building of the bathhouse.
Erebuni
If you want to get acquainted with the history of the ancient capital of Armenia, Yerevan, we advise visiting the historical and archaeological museum-reserve "Erebuni" located on the slope of the Arin-Berd hill. In the museum, you will get acquainted with various exhibits telling about the formation of the history of the capital. And next to the museum there are the ruins of the ancient fortress Erebuni - the first major military-strategic object of the country. It was founded by King Argishti I in 782 BC. This fact was proved after archaeological excavations carried out on this territory in 1950. Here was found the cuneiform of the king of the Urartian kingdom, which was a document on the construction of the city-fortress of Erebuni.
Smbataberd
Smbataberd Fortress is located in Vayotsdzor region in the western part of Egenis village. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but it is assumed that the fortress existed before the Vth century. Smbataberd was built by all defense canons specific to the Middle Ages. The length of the fortress is 1 km. There is no exact version of its name origin, but there is an opinion that it was named after the knight from the Armenian Orbelian dynasty.
Akhtala
Akhtala Fortress is located in the Lori region on a small plateau in the gorge of the River Debet. The first mention of the fortress dates back to the Xth century, Akhtala was once an important strategic object of the medieval Armenian royal dynasty of Curitides. Behind the walls of the fortress, you can see a unique temple of the 13th century, famous for its wall frescoes which depict fragments from the Old and New Testaments. Those frescoes refer to the Byzantine art of the Cominius period. The images also show the Armenian and Georgian traditions. There is a version that three masters worked on the frescoes: Armenian, Georgian and Greek. Images admire their accuracy and spirituality of faces.
Shushi
Another impressive mysterious fortress is located in the beautiful picturesque region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), in the town of Shushi - a religious and cultural center. It was founded in the XVIII century by the khan Panah-Ali and now its ruins proudly adorn the top of the mountain. You can get acquainted with the rich and difficult history of this town together with the tour to Nagorno-Karabakh.
(Photo #1 by pentaxouche & #2 by sunriseodyssey via Flickr)
Article written by Arpi
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