- Type
- Fortress
- Location
- Vayots Dzor, Armenia
- Coordinates
- 39.8717°, 45.3381°
History
The fortress stands at about 2,000 metres on a ridge between the gorge of the Yeghegis River and the village of Artabuynk, in the historic province of Vayots Dzor. Its origins are uncertain: some scholars think it existed as early as the 5th century, others date it to the 9th–11th centuries; in the 10th century it was the citadel of Yeghegis, seat of the Syuni princes, and beat off an attack by the Sajid army. In the 13th century the region came under the Orbelians, and Prince Smbat Orbelian (1251–1273) rebuilt and strengthened the fortress. The name means “fortress of Smbat” – tradition links it either with the 10th-century prince Smbat Syuni or with Smbat Orbelian, who is buried in nearby Yeghegis. Local lore says the fortress finally fell to the Seljuks, and it was gradually abandoned. The walls were partly restored in 2006–2007 and 2011, and in 2018 the site was declared a protected historical and cultural reserve.
What to see
Walls with towers follow the rocky crest, in places well preserved to a considerable height. Inside are remains of buildings, cisterns and walkways. A footpath leads up from the village of Artabuynk or from the Tsakhats Kar monastery, and the ridge offers views across the mountains of Vayots Dzor.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q3848929
Popularity: articles about this site in 19 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).