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Sights of Armenia Kotayk
Bjni Fortress
- RegionKotayk
- Distance from Yerevan45.9 km
- TypeFortress/Castle
Kotayk
About this place
Bjni Fortress is an Armenian medieval fortress situated in Bjni village in Kotayk Province. The fortification walls can only be seen from the village’s west side. Bjni Fortress is 1,504 meters above sea level (4,934 ft). Bjni fortress was constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries by the royal Pahlavuni family of the Bagratuni Dynasty.
Interesting
facts about Bjni Fortress
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It is assumed that many manuscripts written in Bjni Monastery, copied Armenian manuscripts of the XII-XVII centuries, were preserved here. Bjni was one of the most important centers of Armenian calligraphy in the middle Ages.
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It is said that an underground route connected the fortress and the monastery of Bjni, through which on four-wheeled carts food and drink were carried to the inhabitants of the besieged city. During the excavations, a part of the underground passage was discovered, but the presence of the road arouses suspicion among specialists. They tend to believe that the stories about the underground road are just a myth, created by the defenders of Bjni fortress to glorify their exploits.
Weather in Kotayk
The high season in Armenia lasts for a long time due to the pleasant climate conditions. Warm days in Armenia start in March and last until late autumn; winter is usually snowless and not long. The high precipitation season is variable. The tourist season for Bjni fortress depends on the weather conditions.
Bjni Fortress
FAQ
Where is Bjni Fortress?
Bjni Fortress stands in Bjni village in Kotayk Province, 1,504 meters (4,934 ft) above sea level. Its fortification walls can be seen only from the village's west side.
Who built Bjni Fortress and when?
Bjni Fortress was constructed between the 9th and 10th centuries by the royal Pahlavuni family of the Bagratuni dynasty.
What is the fortress like?
Steep cliffs protect the fortress on three sides, and powerful walls about 120 meters long complete its defenses, with the entrance on the north side. A vaulted water reservoir built of basalt was found inside the larger part of the fortress.
What legend is told about Bjni Fortress?
It is said that an underground route linked the fortress with Bjni monastery, and food and drink were carried through it on four-wheeled carts to the besieged inhabitants. Part of an underground passage was found during excavations, but specialists tend to see the story as a myth created by the fortress's defenders.
How is Bjni Fortress linked to Armenian manuscripts?
It is assumed that many manuscripts written and copied at Bjni Monastery in the 12th–17th centuries were preserved in the fortress. Bjni was one of the most important centers of Armenian calligraphy in the Middle Ages.
Kotayk
Plan your visit
Address
Bjni Fortress, Bjni, Kotayk Province, Armenia
Kotayk
Sights near Bjni Fortress
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