Fortress of Berdavan which currently lies in ruins but has a heroic history, is located near Berdavan village in Tavush region. It is 13-th century building with 11 towers and with a a secret passage taking to the canyon. In the south-east side of the village there are also medieval cemetery and church ruins. Built on top of a hill Berdavan Fortress dates to the 10th-11th centuries. The fortress was reconstructed in the 17th century,further was reconstructed in 1980s. The walls of the fortress are almost entirely preserved. Clay plates and metallic axes were found by the serf wall, which means there once were shelters and storehouses. Though all the walls of the fortress were 1.2 meters wide, they varied in their height. The latter was conditioned by the relief. Presently, the southwestern walls are lower than those stretching from the west to the north. The southwestern walls are 5.5 meters high, while the west-northern are 10.5 meters high. At the top of the walls there are so-called windows. The opening of the windows makes 12-15 centimeters. In all probability, they were used to look outside. To the southwest from the fortress there is a three-nave church. The church has a rectangle praying hall, which is divided into three naves by a pair of arches. There are two vestibules on the sides of the middle nave. The church has only one entry and it is from the north. The two iron rings found on both sides of the entry allow to conclude there once was a wooden hall in front of it. At the eastern side of the church there is the semi-circular apse on both sides of which there are prayer rooms. The church is believed to be built in late medieval period. not far from the church there is a medieval cemetery, which includes a number of tombstones, statues and khatchkars (cross-stones). One of the khatchkars is especially popular. It’s a huge cross-stone carved in the shape of a cross. The cross-stone leans on a cube shaped pedestal. It includes cross images as well as figures of standing people. Archaeological excavations were held at the site. The excavations revealed a number of ceramic plates and metal axes. Based on these findings as well as several other items conclusions were made regarding the life and work of the people who once lived in Berdavan.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:06:14 +0000
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