Proshaberd

Proshaberd Պռոշաբերդ
Vayots Dzor Province, Armenia
Site information
Type	Fortress
Open to the public	Yes
Location
Coordinates
Site history
Built	13th century
Built by	Prince Prosh Khaghbakian

Proshaberd (Armenian: Պռոշաբերդ, also Boloraberd) is a fortress built in the 13th century by Prince Prosh Khaghbakian. It is located about 7 kilometres (4 mi) northeast of the town of Vernashen in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia. It is located about one kilometre east of the 14th-century Spitakavor Monastery.

Name

The fortress is called Proshaberd (or Proshi Berd) after its founder Prosh Khaghbakian. Its other name, Boloraberd, is composed of the words bolor 'round' and berd 'fortress'.

Location and description

The fortress is located the conical peak of a high mountain called Takyadonduran about 7–8 kilometres (4–5 mi) northeast of the village of Vernashen in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia. It occupies an area of about 1–1.5 hectares. Its walls are basalt and had defensive towers, the remains of which are still visible. Also visible are traces of the fortress's water pipe. The structures within the fortress's walls are all ruined and buried under a thick layer of soil. A chapel is located on its eastern side.

History

The fortress was built by Prosh Khaghbakian, an Armenian prince of the Khaghbakian or Proshian dynasty, in the 13th century. It served as the prince's seat.