Amberd

Amberd is an Armenian site in the Aragatsotn province (marz) consisting of a fortress and a monastery. The fortress, built in the 7th century on a rocky peak, was part of a defence system covering the Ararat plain during the Middle Ages. It is one of the rare surviving testimonies to Armenian military architecture from the Middle Ages. The church was built by Prince Vahram Vatchoutian in 1026. The material used is tuff (volcanic material).

Amberd was also the capital of Armenia in the Middle Ages. Captured by the Seljuqs in the 11th century, the palace was destroyed by the Mongols in the 12th century. The word “amberd” comes from the Armenian words “amp” meaning “cloud,” and “berd” meaning “fortress.” Amberd was therefore literally named “fortress in the clouds” and is perched at an altitude of 2,300 m often being above the clouds.