Kayan Berd
Fortress and former monastery in Lori, northern Armenia.
Kayan Berd, also called Kayanberd or Dsevank, is a ruined fortress and former Armenian Apostolic monastery in Lori, northern Armenia. It may have been built by King Ashot II Yerkat in the 10th century, but the exact construction date is unknown.
Quick Facts
- Alternative names
- Kayanberd, Dsevank
- Location
- Lori province, northern Armenia
- Affiliation
- Armenian Apostolic Church
- Possible builder
- King Ashot II Yerkat
- Century of possible construction
- 10th century
- Church within
- Surb Astvatzatzin (Holy God Mother) of Dsevank
- Dome materials
- Blue
- red
- white
Facts from the source article.
Specifications
The fortress is largely destroyed, with a triangular wall ring enclosed by semi-circular defense towers. Inside stands the Church Surb Astvatzatzin, built of black tuff; its blue, red, white dome was damaged in an 1827 earthquake. The church occupies the right corner of the fortress, sharing an outer wall with it. Nearby are ruins of houses, clay cisterns, and clay water pipes. The associated village contains an Early Iron Age burial ground.
Story
In the mid-11th century, the religious center of Haghpat was built in Lori, competing with the brother monastery Sanahin. After the bishop's death, Tatars demolished the walls in 1241. The site was restored, then destroyed by Timur's troops at the end of the 14th century and not rebuilt.
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