Amberd fortress

The medieval fortress of Amberd stands on the southern slope of Mount Aragats, at an altitude of 2100 metres, at the confluence of the Amberd and Arkashen rivers, protected on two sides by deep gorges, 50 km from Yerevan. Construction of the fortress was begun in the 7th century by the Kamsarakan princes; later it became the residence of the Pahlavuni family. In the 11th century the general Vahram Pahlavuni strengthened the fortifications, and in 1026 the church of Vahramashen was built. At the end of the 11th century the fortress was captured by the Seljuks; in the 13th century it was destroyed during the Mongol invasion and later restored.

The photograph shows the dark stone walls of the fortress with round towers on a rocky hill. On the left is a small church with a conical dome, and a valley lies in the distance.