AMBERD FOTRESS

You drive up on the slopes of mountain about 2100 m high from sea level and find yourself in the middle of nowhere with a fortress of 7^th c.

Amberd is located on the mountain Aragats the highest pick of Armenian republic.

The complex has a lot to tell you about the constructional style and uniqueness of the fortresses in this country.

The Church, chapel, walls, gates are the main part of the sight. Spectacular view with two rivers and reach nature is all over, in a far you see Mount Ararat.

Amberd means <<cloud fortress>>, because of its high location. It was founded by Kamsarakan princes in the 7th century A.D. and 4 centuries later was rebuilt. The church in the complex was built in 1026.

Amberd fortress has long and hard life experience full of attacks. Even it seemed very good hid in the mountains, in 11^th c. fortress accepted attacks by Sejuk Turks, was reconstructed and 2 centuries later was destroyed by Mongols. About a century later the fortress had rebirth and served for several hundred years. Overall now only the church is fully preserved.

Now you can see just an impressive basalt walls with towers on corners, which used to protect the inhabitants from different invasions. In some parts the thickness of the walls can reach 4 meters.

Next to the fortress you can also find roman bath 10-11^th cc. The excavations showed there used to be a water supply system, as well as hot water that was supplied to bath through Metal pipes.

During the excavations were discovered also many underground tunnels leading to nearest rivers.

So, when you visit Amberd take enough time for walking around and enjoying yourself in an amazing nature and breathtaking views.