Aghchka Berd - Girls Fortress

The Girl's Fortress is a military structure located about 16 km southwest of the town of Ijevan in the Tavush region of Armenia, on top of a forested mountain, which is surrounded by high cliffs on all sides, and at the same time is protected by artificial, pyramidal walls. There is a shipyard inside.

When Lenk Temur finds out that a beautiful girl lives here, he sends the soldiers to bring him to him. Three soldiers come and kidnap the girl. When a shepherd saw this, he followed them. At night, when the soldiers are asleep, the shepherd kills them and brings the girl back. Lenk Temur furiously attacks the Armenians fortified in the fortress. By betraying an old woman, he cuts the water of the fortress and only defeats the Armenians. Seeing this, the girl throws herself into the river from the fence. After that the fortress was named Girl Fortress.

In addition to the destroyed apartments inside the castle, there are two churches with a "reservoir" plan. One of the reservoirs is very big. The water was first poured into a small basin with a fired clay pipe, and from there another large pipe was poured into a large reservoir.

All the buildings of the castle, as well as the walls, are made of bluish basalt with strong lime mortar. The historical-archaeological value of this castle is very great, because its integrity is well preserved. There is a legend left among the people about the ruined bath of the castle. It is said that there was a beautiful girl who had her own army. Many princes, fascinated by her beauty, wanted to get married, but she refused. When they could not persuade, they wanted to rule by force.

Gathering the people under her control, the princess builds a castle and shelters there with her army. The girl's stubbornness and bravery irritate Prince Mantash even more he builds Mantashaberd in front of the girl գործում he often attacks the girl. They all end in failure, the girl always wins. Another time he sends his troops to Kala. The girl's army wins the battle again. After that, Mantash asks for peace. They agree that each of them should stay in his castle, but as a sign of friendship, they build the above-mentioned bath on the bank of the Aghst River (now in the hamam of Hamam).

Photo By: Artur Martirosyan