Meghri: Old Town, Church Art and Fortress

Meghri can be explored through several specific themes: the old Pokr Tagh district, churches and art, the fortress, and gardens and mountain scenery. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Meghri, these images and themes of the town can help you understand the destination’s character and choose the focus of your trip.

Pokr Tagh and the Historic Townscape

Pokr Tagh is Meghri’s old district. Narrow, cobbled lanes are lined with centuries-old houses carved into the rock. The layout of the lanes and the construction of the houses both shape the townscape: the cobblestones lead through narrow streets, while the rock carving is part of the architecture. Those interested in historic townscapes will find a different view of Meghri in Pokr Tagh than in the individually dated churches and the fortress. The district thus brings together the study of individual buildings and the impression of an entire old neighbourhood.

Churches and Dated Paintings

Meghri’s historic and cultural sights include the 17th-century fortress, the two 17th-century Surb Astvatsatsin churches in the Greater and Lesser Districts, and the nearby Meghri Monastery, dated to the 15th to 18th centuries.

The Surb Hovhannes Church contains at least three layers of paintings, dated 1700, 1793 and 1866. The sequence reveals different periods in which the paintings were created. The 1700 layer comprises 23 narrative scenes and is probably attributed to Naghash Hovnatan or one of his students. Thus, precise dates sit alongside a tentative attribution: the paintings can be distinguished chronologically, while the authorship of the oldest layer remains uncertain.

Fortress: Location, Design and History

Meghri Fortress is located north of the Greater District on hard-to-reach mountain peaks. It dates to the 17th century and was completely rebuilt in the 18th century. The complex consists of six towers but has no enclosing walls. Natural mountain formations serve a defensive function. The terrain and design are therefore both part of the description of the fortress, rather than a continuous wall defining its appearance.

A specific historical event is also associated with the structure: in 1723, the fortress resisted Turkish attacks under the leadership of David Bek. Its hard-to-reach elevated location is also a practical consideration for your travel planning if you are thinking of visiting the fortress.

Mountain Scenery and Gardens

The area around Meghri is a place for wildlife watching. Nearby, Arevik National Park protects the characteristic mountain flora of Meghri and the Meghri Mountains. These nature themes have different focuses: wildlife watching in the area around the town, and the protection of mountain flora in the nearby national park.

Meghri is also known for its fertile gardens. In addition to traditional fruits, persimmons, olives and kiwis are grown there. This adds an agricultural perspective to the historic buildings and mountain landscape: the gardens represent the cultivation of various plants, including some less common fruit varieties.

Traditional Crafts of the Past

Meghri’s traditional crafts of the past included goldsmithing, blacksmithing, masonry, tailoring and carpentry. Other crafts included straw plaiting and textiles made from wool, cotton and silk, as well as carpet and rug weaving, embroidery and lacework. Today, these crafts have almost completely disappeared. The activities ranged from metalworking and construction to textiles and skilled handwork; they add the history of work and making to Meghri’s architectural and artistic history.

Discover more destinations: Agarak, Goris, Sissian, Kapan, Tatev, Ashotavan, Halidzor

For the regional travel overview: Syunik.