Kaqavaberd

Name: Kaqavaberd
Monument type: Fortress
Region: Ararat Province
Periods: Medieval

Name: Kaqavaberd (fortress of partridge) (folk name)

Other nominations: Geghi berd, castle of Qegha, fortress of Gegahy, Geghe, Qeghi, Qeghvaberd

Monument type: Fortress-castle

Region: Ararat

Community: “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve

Location: “Khosrov Forest” State Reserve, 13.5 km south-east of Garnut, right bank of the Azat River, top of the inaccessible Geghi Mountain. It has an inaccessible location.

Preservation: The walls are relatively well preserved.

Coordinates: 40o05’56” 44o49’27’

Altitude: 2060 m

Era and chronology: Kaqavaberd was the dynastic domain of the Bagratunis, in the XI century it was passed to the Pahlavunis, in the XII-XIII centuries – to the Proshyans.

Kaqavaberd:

A Medieval Citadel in One of the World’s Oldest Protected Areas

As you enter the enchanting realm of the Khosrov Forest State Reserve, embarking on a journey to unveil the secrets of nearly 1700 years of history within one of the world’s oldest protected natural reserves, a single sight will undoubtedly leave you spellbound: Kaqavaberd, also known as the Partridge Fortress.

Nestled atop the rugged Geghi Mountain, Kaqavaberd, stands proudly for centuries, offers a glimpse into a bygone era, where dynasties rose and fell, and battles echoed through the ages.

For those with a thirst for knowledge and a fascination with history, Kaqavaberd is an open invitation to explore the past. It beckons curious minds to uncover the intricate web of medieval defense systems and to appreciate the resilience of civilizations that thrived in these challenging landscapes.

This remarkable citadel has witnessed the ebb and flow of empires. Originally the domain of the Bagratunis, it later passed into the hands of the Pahlavunis in the 11th century and the Proshyans in the 12th and 13th centuries. These transitions in ownership tell a tale of shifting power and influence in the region.

Kaqavaberd isn’t just a silent observer of history; it played an active role in several pivotal events. In 925, it became a sanctuary for Ashot Yerkat’s defeated forces after the Battle of Sevan. And in 1225, during the invasion of Armenia, it sheltered Ivane Atabek, who sought refuge from Jalal-ad-Din Khwarazmshah’s troops. This fortress has been at the center of the action, where destinies were forged and fates sealed.

Perched on the northeastern edge of Geghi Mountain, Kaqavaberd is protected by nature itself. Inaccessible rocks shield it on three sides, leaving only a vulnerable northern approach, which is fortified by a formidable wall. This wall, with its pyramids and lime mortar construction, bears similarities to the renowned walls of Ani and Havuts Tar Amenprakich monastery. Two out of 7 towers remain, each standing at approximately 20 meters in height, providing a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.

The fortress boasts a prominent arched entrance on its western side, spanning 2-3 meters wide. The surrounding enclosure wall, reaching 8-10 meters in height, has been partly preserved.

Within the fortress’s ramparts lie a myriad of natural and semi-artificial rock caves, each with its own tale to tell. These caves served both as defensive positions and shelters for its inhabitants in times of need.

FACTS

❈ Kaqavaberd Citadel has a rich history, changing hands from the Bagratunis to the Pahlavunis and Proshyans, reflecting regional power shifts.

❈ It actively participated in significant events, providing sanctuary for Ashot Yerkat’s forces in 925 and sheltering Ivane Atabek during the 1225 invasion.

❈ Located on Geghi Mountain’s northeastern edge, it benefits from natural defenses, with three sides shielded by inaccessible rocks and a formidable wall
fortifying the vulnerable northern approach.

❈ The fortress features a prominent arched entrance, partially preserved enclosure walls, and two remaining towers providing commanding views.

❈ Within the fortress are numerous natural and semi-artificial rock caves that served as defensive positions and shelters for inhabitants in times of need.

🔍 Research history

The monument was studied and described by G. Hovsepyan, Gh. Alishan, M. Smbatyan, E. Lalayan, H. Manandyan, as well as by R. Matevosyan and S. Karapetyan.

🧱 Archaeological description

Architecture
The fort is mentioned in several important historical episodes. Being defeated by Ashot Yerkat in the Battle of Sevan in 925, the deputy of the Arab Nasr police officer, Beshir, moved to the “fort of Geghayo”, where one of Ashot Yerkat’s generals, Gevorg Marzpetuni had settled, and besieged it. But he suffered another heavy defeat and fled to Dvin threatening to take revenge. After some time, when policeman Nasr returned to Armenia, he decided to carry out that threat. Receiving the news about his arrival, the castle inhabitants left the it along with a small force, and he took over the already empty castle. The next historical episode refers to 1225, when Jalal-ad-Din Khwarazmshah’s troops, who invaded Armenia, defeated the Armenian-Georgian troops near Garni, and Ivane Atabek took shelter in the fortress.

The fortress is also mentioned in a Tonapatchar memorial copied in the XII century, in one of the lithographs of St. Astvatsatsin Church of Vanstan (second half of the XIII century), located 3 km west of the fortress, as well as in a Persian manorial inscription compiled in 1489 (Karapetyan 2022). The upper stream of the Azat River, sometimes even the entire Mazaz province were named after the Geghi fortress.

The fort located in the north-eastern corner of Geghi Mountain is protected on 3 sides by inaccessible rocks. The only vulnerable part is on the northern side and is fortified by a powerful wall with pyramids with 2.2 m and at the entrance up to 2.6 m thickness. It is built with lime mortar, with regular rows of rough stones of gray and reddish color and, as noted by G. Hovsepyan, it reminds of the walls of the capital Ani and Havuts Tar Amenprakich monastery. In some areas, traces of repairs are visible. Two of the 7 towers have been preserved with a height of about 20 m (G. Hovsepyan mentions 8 towers). Some of them have small rooms, 3 have embrasures. The high arched entrance widening inward (opening: 2-3 m) is on the western side of the 8-10 m high preserved enclosure wall; the remains of the ruined citadel have been preserved on a small hill, and not far from the entrance, a small rock-hewn chapel has been conserved. The foundations and traces of many structures, as well as 3 wells built with solid stones with a mortar joint can be seen in different parts. Fragments of pottery are scattered over the entire surface of Berdasar; among them glazed and decorated samples are also found. Analyzing the position and structure of the fortress, R. Matevosyan concludes that it was a station-type fortress, serving as a place of refuge.

There are several 100 natural and semi-artificial inaccessible rock caves in the ramparts of the fortress, which also had defensive significance and sheltered the population if necessary (Karapetyan 2022).

🌍 Significance

It is important for the study of different links of the region’s medieval defense system.

📜 Traditional legends

Writer Muratsan refers to the Geghi fortress in his historical novel “Gevorg Marzpetuni”, turning the traditional memories of the fortress into a fictional story.

📚 Sources

Literature

Hovhannes Draskhanakertsi, Armenian History, Translation and acquaintance: G. Tosunyan, Yerevan, YSU ed., 397 pages.
Hovsepyan G. 1928, Khalgbakyank or Proshyank in Armenian history, part 1, Vagharshapat, 304 pages.
Matevosyan R. 1990, Geghadzor Medieval Castle, Science and Technology, N 10, pp. 44-49.
Karapetyan S. 2022, “Khosrov Reserve” Guide, Yerevan, RAA Foundation, 128 pages.
Materials on the archeology of the Caucasus, collected by the expeditions of the Moscow Archaeological Society. Issue. XIII, ed. P. S. Uvarova and Kh. I. Kuchuk-Ioannesov, Moscow, 1916, 245 p.