Meghri Fortress
An 11th-century Armenian fortress with six separate towers.
Meghri Fortress is an 11th-century Armenian fortress situated in the town of Meghri. It occupies a hill that overlooks the old part of the town from the north.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Meghri; Syunik Province, Armenia
- Built
- 1083; rebuilt: 18th century
- Materials
- Stone
- Demolished
- Partially
Facts from the source article.
History
The fortress likely arose during the formation of the Syunik Kingdom in the late 10th to 11th centuries. The 13th-century historian St. Orbelian recorded that it was already standing by 1083. It saw repeated destruction and rebuilding during military campaigns in the Arevik province. In 1103 it survived the capture of Kapan under King Grigor II. Seljuk Turks took the fortress in 1152. Commander Davit Bek reconstructed it early in the 18th century to resist Turkish attacks.
Design
Meghri Fortress was built with six separate towers and no defensive walls connecting them. Four towers were round and two were rectangular. Wooden beams were placed inside the walls as earthquake-resistant zones. Tower walls taper externally while remaining vertical inside. Each tower had two floors about two meters high, with entries from the north. This orientation used natural northern barriers for protection. In the 18th century radial embrasures were added for firearms. Five towers survive today.
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