Askeran Fortress Has a Great Scientific, Study and Historical Significance for Artsakh

• 06.07.2020, 18:23
•  World,  NKR,  No-politics

Askeran Fortress (previously Mayraberd) is located in the southern part of Artsakh’s Askeran village, on the left bank of the Karkar River.  Etymologically Askeran comes from ''as'' which in Armenian means ''heavenly or divine'' and ''karan'' which means ''stone''. Therefore, Askeran means 'divine stone'. Askeran Fortress was built in XVII-XVIII centuries when Artsakh - like most of Transcaucasia - was under the Persian rule. In particularly, it was built to protect Shushi, the heart of Artsakh, from nomads, 360greatarmenia.am reports.

The fortress has served as a secure military base from the begging of its construction.  

Askeran fortress complex consists of two divisions: the left-bank and the right-bank sections. The left-bank section is more than 140 m long and has more than 8 towers in 8-9m. Right-bank main castle complex has approximately 220 meter length.

The fortress consists of towers, which are connected via narrow passages, and watchtowers – via narrow corridors. The height of the towers is 5-8 m. Askeran fortress is strengthened by double walls and its location among the mountains makes it inaccessible for the enemy.

After Eastern Armenia joined Russia, the Russian army used the fortress as an armory. The fortress had an important defensive role during Armenian-Tatar war in 1905-06 and Turk invasions in 1918-20.

Moreover, during the Karabakh war, the operative headquarter of the Askeran region was located in this fortress.  Unfortunately, the fortress was severally damaged during the Karabakh war with one of the towers collapsed in part and the higher section of the fortress still carrying the traces of Azerbaijani artillery fire.

The renovation works of the fortress started in 2016 and continues to this day.  Askeran fortress has a great scientific, study and historical significance for Artsakh. Nowadays, it is one of the most visited places and popular tourist destinations in Artsakh Republic.  It has not lost its role even today.