Rising solemnly not far from the heart of Gyumri, the Black Fortress is one of the city’s most imposing and historically charged landmarks. Constructed during the era of the Russian Empire, the fortress was built by Russian forces in 1837, shortly after the surrounding lands of Gyumri were seized from Persia and annexed into the empire. Its name—“Black Fortress”—derives from the dark volcanic tuff stone used in its construction, lending the stronghold a brooding presence that has endured through centuries.
The fortress was originally erected as a strategic military outpost, intended to fortify the empire’s newly drawn border in the event of another confrontation with the Ottoman Empire. For many years, it stood as a bastion against Turkish advances, watching vigilantly over the shifting frontiers. Over time, the structure evolved—first into an artillery depot, then a military prison. Today, it has been reborn as a vibrant public space, open to all with no entrance fee, offering a fascinating blend of history and cultural renewal.
The Black Fortress now serves as a cultural center, inviting visitors to explore its austere halls and storied past. One of its most symbolic features is a holy altar erected in 2016 to commemorate the visit of the Pope, a gesture that fused Gyumri’s military past with its spiritual present. A spacious circular stage stands at the heart of the fortress, regularly used for concerts and performances, while ancient fortress walls and vintage lanterns recreate an atmosphere steeped in bygone times.
Among the fortress’s most intriguing features is a 30-meter-deep well—once the primary source of drinking water for the stationed soldiers. The walls bear inscriptions, names, and hometowns carved by those who once lived and served within these stone barriers. They are silent echoes of the human stories embedded in the fortress’s foundations.
From atop the ramparts, a sweeping view unfolds—one that encompasses the Akhuryan River and the expanse of Gyumri, a panorama both majestic and melancholic. On a neighboring hill, the statue of Mother Armenia stands tall, her presence a powerful companion to the fortress below.
Erected in 1975 to mark the 30th anniversary of Victory in World War II, the Mother Armenia memorial is a masterwork of Soviet-era monumental sculpture, distinct from the more militaristic memorials found elsewhere in Russia. In her hands, she holds a wheat stalk and the capital of a classical column—symbols of peace, resilience, and cultural strength. From the rear platform of the monument, visitors can gaze out across the pastoral landscapes that stretch toward the horizon.
