MONASTERE VOROTNAVANK

This monastery, whose surrounding wall merges with the rock face overlooking the Vorotan, contains the remains of churches that were used as vaults by the Dzaguikian princes of Siunie. The ruined walls of the 10th-11th century fortress, protecting the northern borders of Siunia, were attacked by the Seljuq Turks, and in the 13th century Prince Smbat Orbelian repelled the Mongol attacks. In 1723, a prince and hero of the region, David Bek, retreated there to maintain a semblance of independence from Persia, in Zanguézour and Karabagh.