Vorotnaberd


Vorotnaberd is an important fortress along a ridge overlooking the Vorotan gorge, between the villages of Vaghatin and Vorotan in the Syunik Province of Armenia. Vorotnaberd is above sea level.

History

Vorotnaberd was destroyed multiple times by foreign invasions. In 1104 Seljuk-Turks attacked the fortress and the nearby monastery of Vorotnavank northwest. Ivane Zakaryan liberated the structures from enemy hands and gave control of Vorotnavank and Vorotnaberd to Liparit Orbelian of the Orbelyan family. Repairs were made to the nearby monastery during this time to make it functionable once again.
Other foreign invasions included the Mongol-Tatars and later Timur Lenk in 1386 where his army lay siege to the fortress. An underground passageway connected to Vorotnavank and the Vorotan River was used during sieges by invading armies.
In 1724 Davit Bek took control of Vorotnaberd from Melik Baghri. This incident led people living in the region to call the fortress by the name "Davit Bek's Castle".

Architecture

The fortress is in ruin.