Halidzor Fortress

Halidzor Fortress—also known as the Hermitage of Saint Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God)—is a fortified Armenian monastic and military complex in the Syunik region of southern Armenia. It stands on the right bank of the Voghji River and dates to the first half of the 17th century. Later, the fortress became the hereditary estate of the Melik-Parsadanyan family from the village of Bekh—one of the most influential princely houses in the Kapan area.

Some historians trace the family lineage back to Prince Dzagik of Syunik, considered the founder of the Parsadanyan dynasty. The family’s most prominent figure was David Bek, a commander who would later lead a resistance movement against invading Ottoman and Persian forces. Originally a monastic settlement, Halidzor was fortified and transformed into a military stronghold under David Bek’s leadership in the 18th century. Its remote location and natural defenses made it an effective administrative and resistance center for the Armenian leadership in Syunik.

The name Halidzor is believed to derive from earlier settlements known as Ale or Alis. In the 10th century, Princess Amazaspuhi donated the site to Tatev Monastery, which controlled the fortress until the 14th century. In 1711, during a period of turbulence, the monastery’s abbot, Bishop Arakel, was murdered at Halidzor. Despite this violent episode and the militarization that followed, the monastic character of the site endured.

In 1727, when the Ottoman army launched a siege on Halidzor, not only warriors but also nuns took up arms in its defense. The fortress, enclosed by a quadrangular stone wall aligned with the contours of the terrain, featured defensive towers. A single rounded tower stands on the southwestern side. The main church, built from rough-hewn basalt, takes the form of a vaulted hall. Two-story buildings on the north and south sides served as monastic quarters, and during the siege, their flat roofs were used to fire upon the enemy.

A copper smelting facility, once operated by the Parsadanyan family, stood at the foot of the fortress. David Bek’s decision to reinforce Halidzor’s defenses turned it into a bastion of Armenian resistance. With a modest force, he successfully repelled repeated Turkish attacks, relying on both the strategic design of the fortress and the rugged topography.

David Bek fell in battle and was laid to rest in the monastic cemetery within the fortress grounds.

Halidzor Fortress is located approximately 190 kilometers from Yerevan, a journey of around five hours by road. Travelers using public transport can take bus No. 607 from Yerevan’s Southern Bus Station to Goris. From there, a taxi can be hired to reach the fortress site.