Handaberd Fortress

Handaberd, proudly perched atop a cliff, is located 1 kilometer east of the village of Knaravan in Artsakh, above the Lev River, at an elevation of 1,665 meters above sea level. Its cliffside position makes it impregnable, and its history is both rich and profound. In the 9th century, Prince Atrnerseh, of the Arranshahik dynasty, reconstructed an already existing fortress on this site. Centuries later, it came under the control of the Khachenian and later the Dopyan princes. Its significance is noted by both Movses Kaghankatvatsi and Kirakos Gandzaketsi. The fortress is built to conform to the mountainside, taking the shape of an irregular rectangle. Its walls, reinforced by semi-circular towers, reach heights of up to 8 meters. Two main phases of construction are visible: rough-cut Bagratid-era foundations, and 13th-century plastered upper walls.