Tapi Fortress

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

Name: Tapi Fortress

Other nomination: Tapi berd, Gevorg Marzpetuni Castle

Monument type: Fortress

Region: Ararat

Community: Urtsadzor

Residence: Urtsadzor village

Location: It is located 6 km north-west of the village of Urtsadzor, on the right bank of the Khosrov River, on a hill.

Preservation: Reconstructed

Coordinates: 39° 22′ 45.66” N 46°15’01.09” E

Altitude: 1290 m

Era and chronology: The preserved structures of the monastery date back to the High and Late Middle ages, X-XVII centuries.

Tapi Berd: The Residence of Princes and a Treasure Trove of Knowledge

You might be expecting to find an ancient stronghold as you visit Tapi Berd, but you will be even more spellbound when you discover the immense legacy behind this gem.
As one of the most notable scriptoriums of its time, Tapi Berd is a testament to the enduring power of the written word. And this site’s noble grandeur has allowed the Orbelian dynasty, one of the most powerful princely houses, to call this place home.

But beyond its intellectual significance and princely legacy, there is also an air of mystery that adds to the charm of this stronghold. And as you discover it, you can’t help but feel a connection to the legends that have shrouded this site for centuries.

Tapi Berd boasts a prime location on the right bank of the Khosrov River, commanding awe-inspiring views of the Ararat Valley. This historical gem, also known as Gevorg Marzpetuni Castle, has witnessed the ebb and flow of history, dating back to the High and Late Middle Ages (10th–17th centuries).

Besides being an architectural wonder, this stronghold also holds immense historical significance. It offers invaluable insights into the Orbelian princely house’s dominion, shedding light on their rich cultural heritage in the Ararat world. Tapi Berd is believed to have been one of their cherished residences, offering an exclusive insight into their rule and cultural heritage.

Local lore intertwines the fortress’s name with Gevorg Marzpetuni, considered to be one of the most notable pieces of Armenian literature, adding an air of mystery to its already captivating history.

Tapi Berd stands as a testament to medieval Armenian architecture.
Its rectangular walls are fortified with circular pyramids at each corner, showcasing ingenious design. Alongside these formidable defenses, you’ll find residential and commercial vaulted buildings from the 10th–13th centuries. At the heart of the enclosure lies a 13th-century church, constructed from exquisite white felsite stones.

The hidden inscriptions on the church walls here are like whispers from the past, allowing you to wander through time as you decipher them. One, dating back to 1291, references the name Tap. Another reveals that the castle was known as St. Gevorg Castle.

The Tapi Church was a notable scriptorium, where manuscripts like the Psalter were crafted by scribes like Barsegh, etching their legacy into history.

The story of Tapi Berd doesn’t end with the castle alone. On the adjacent hill lies the Monastery of Queen Gohar. Although the church has seen its share of hardships, several inscriptions have survived, mentioning the esteemed Orbelian princes.

Tapi Berd and its accompanying St. Gevorg Church underwent extensive restoration efforts in 2008–2009, ensuring their legacy remains for generations to come.

FACTS

❈ Tapi Berd, also known as Gevorg Marzpetuni Castle, is located on the right bank of the Khosrov River, offering breathtaking views of the Ararat Valley. Its history spans the High and Late Middle Ages (10th–17th centuries).

❈ Beyond its architectural beauty, Tapi Berd provides insights into the Orbelian princely house’s cultural heritage and their rule in the Ararat region.

❈ The fortress features rectangular walls with circular pyramids at the corners, residential and commercial vaulted buildings from the 10th–13th centuries, and a 13th-century church constructed from white felsite stones.

❈ Hidden inscriptions on the church walls, dating back to 1291, refer to the name “Tap” and reveal the castle’s alternative name, “St. Gevorg Castle.”
The Tapi church served as a scriptorium for crafting manuscripts like the Psalter.

❈ Adjacent to Tapi Berd is the Monastery of Queen Gohar, which, despite hardships, contains inscriptions mentioning the esteemed Orbelian princes. Extensive
restoration in 2008–2009 has preserved the legacy of Tapi Berd and St. Gevorg Church for future generations.

❈ Local lore intertwines the fortress’s name with Gevorg Marzpetuni, considered one of the most notable pieces of Armenian literature.

🔍 Research history

The study of the historical sources state that the Orbelian princes extended their rule not only to Syunik but to the Ararat Valley as well. Historian Stepanos Orbelyan specifically talks about the domains acquired by the Orbelian princes in Urts and Ved settlements. Tapi Berd was probably one of the Orbelians’ residences.

🧱 Archaeological description

Architecture
The fortress has walls with a rectangular plan with the four corners reinforced by circular pyramids. There are residential and commercial vaulted buildings built in the X-XIII centuries next to the southern and eastern walls of the enclosure. Inside the enclosure is the XIII century church, which is a vaulted hall built of white felsite stones. There are inscriptions carved on the church walls: the first one is located inside the church on the northern wall. It states about serving a liturgy in memory of Mr. Tarsayich and dates back to 1291. The next inscription is located a little below the previous one, also dated to 1291. The three-line inscription mentions about the place name Tap. The fort is referred as St. Gevorg Castle in the inscription. The castle probably got its name from St. Gevorg Church. The Tapi church is also mentioned in Armenian manuscripts. St. Gevorg and St. Astvatsatsin churches are mentioned in the manuscript No. 6261 of Mashtots Matenadaran. In another 1496 manuscript, the Tapi church is mentioned as a writing center, as well as a monastery, where a “Psalter” was written by Barsegh. The castle and the church were restored in 2008-2009. The “Monastery of Queen Gohar” is on the hill, in front of the Tapi fortress. The church is destroyed, but several inscriptions have been preserved, where the Orbelian princes are also mentioned.

🌍 Significance

The study of the fortress and the surrounding monuments is of great importance in clarifying the geography of the Orbelian princely house and in properly assessing the cultural heritage they created in the Ararat world.

📜 Traditional legends

The local legend relates the name of the fortress with the name of Gevorg Marzpetuni.

📚 Sources

Literature

Stepanos Orbelyan 1910, History of Sisakan province, Tiflis, N. Aghaniants printing house, 619 pages.
H. Hakobian 2021, The City of Seven Monasteries and Seven Fortresses or The Orbelians of the Ararat Valley, Bagwashi, Collection of Scientific Papers. Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Center of Manuscripts.
Editors Zaal Abashidze, Karaman Pagava, Tbilisi, p.335-347.