TAVUSH FORTRESS

Abstract

Tavush is one of the powerful and famous fortresses of medieval Armenia. It is located in the south-eastern part of Berd city in Tavush Province. It was most probably built by Smbat I during the period between the middle of the last decade of the IX century and the end of the first decade of the X century. It was first mentioned in connection with the revolt of Tslik Amram in 921, the governor of the Uti administrative unit, against Ashot II Yerkat. Tavush fortress belonged to the Bagratids until 1045. After that it passed to Byzantium, the Kyurikids, the Seljuks and the Vahramyans. During that period it was the center of the administrative unit of the Kyurikid Dynasty established in the Tavush river basin, the Seljuk sultanate, and during the Vahramyans it was the center of the Tavush Province administrative unit. It was captured and destroyed by the Mongols in 1236.