The Fortress of Baghaberd
The Legend of Gandzasar and the Bear who Guards Treasure
A peculiar sculpture is located close to Andokavan and Shgharshik, perched high above the road on a rock. The copper sculpture depicts a bear holding keys in his mouth. The bear was considered the keeper of the forests and symbolized the might of the mountains. There are many folktales that the bear guarded the road leading to Gandzasar Gorge, and in his mouth is the key to all the treasures of Armenian land.
These tales are of a time when the descendants of the forefather Hayk were living on Armenian land, constantly under attack by invaders. The defenders tried to find a safe hiding place to keep their treasures. Their searche brought them to Syunik. There, on the slopes of Kaputjugh, they found the perfect hiding place. Since that time the place has been known as Gandzasar (gandz means treasure, and sar means mountain). It is also said that the rocks surrounding the gorge are the ancestor giants, still guarding Armenian land.
Another interesting story explains how Gandzasar got its name. Centuries ago, the Armenian King Artavazd hid his treasures from the Roman army in the Baghats mountains, and built a fortress nearby. A violent battle between the Romans and Armenians took place and the invaders conquered the fortress, but failed to find the treasure. Many have tried to find the treasure ever since, but in vain.
An easier to discover treasure of the region is its breathtaking nature. At the gorge leading to Gandzasar stands the proud bear protecting every treasure on the land of Syunik.
Rescued Parchments and the Legend behind the Name of the Village of Giratagh
The legend of Baghaberd Fortress reveals details about its conquests, treasure, and the ten thousand manuscripts kept in its library. Since the fall of Baghaberd, over the course of ten centuries, the legend has passed from one generation to another. Many elements of the tale appear to be true; more research is required to discover the truth.
The legend says that Baghaberd Fortress has existed since the dawn of time. The Historian[BD1] of Syunik states that the owners of the fortress were descendants of Adam. Its remote location made it a shelter for the people of nearby monasteries and fortresses in times of danger.
In the 12th century, the feudal Kingdom of Syunik was conquered by Muslim tribes. Eventually, only a small territory remained of the kingdom. At its center was the Baghaberd fortress. All the treasures and manuscripts from Tatev Monastery and the Bekh Hermitage were collected and transported to Baghaberd. According to the historian, the fortress was conquered and looted at night. But what caught the conqueror’s interest? The leaders of the nomadic Turkish tribes were interested in gold, silver, and household items, but not the treasures of Armenian culture. Thus, the fate of the ten thousand manuscripts is unknown.
One folktale states that the enemy knew how much Armenians valued their holy items, so they decided to steal the manuscripts in order to sell them back to the Armenians. According to another legend, the defenders of the fortress managed to hide the manuscripts. The exact place is unknown, but it is believed to be somewhere in Giratagh (the area known today as Nerkin and Verin Giratagh, close to Baghaberd Fortress). This theory is based on the etymology of the place name Giratagh. “Gir” means writing, and “tagh” is the stem of the word “taghel,” which means “to brry.”
However, there is another theory as to the origin of the place name, which claims that Giratagh is related to the word “kurq” meaning “idol” in Armenian. It is said that the place was famous for its idols and had many sacrificial altars, and is this is why it was also once known as Kratagh.
Rescued Parchments and the Legend behind the Name of the Village of Giratagh
The legend of Baghaberd Fortress reveals details about its conquests, treasure, and the ten thousand manuscripts kept in its library. Since the fall of Baghaberd, over the course of ten centuries, the legend has passed from one generation to another. Many elements of the tale appear to be true; more research is required to discover the truth.
The legend says that Baghaberd Fortress has existed since the dawn of time. The Historian[BD1] of Syunik states that the owners of the fortress were descendants of Adam. Its remote location made it a shelter for the people of nearby monasteries and fortresses in times of danger.
In the 12th century, the feudal Kingdom of Syunik was conquered by Muslim tribes. Eventually, only a small territory remained of the kingdom. At its center was the Baghaberd fortress. All the treasures and manuscripts from Tatev Monastery and the Bekh Hermitage were collected and transported to Baghaberd. According to the historian, the fortress was conquered and looted at night. But what caught the conqueror’s interest? The leaders of the nomadic Turkish tribes were interested in gold, silver, and household items, but not the treasures of Armenian culture. Thus, the fate of the ten thousand manuscripts is unknown.
One folktale states that the enemy knew how much Armenians valued their holy items, so they decided to steal the manuscripts in order to sell them back to the Armenians. According to another legend, the defenders of the fortress managed to hide the manuscripts. The exact place is unknown, but it is believed to be somewhere in Giratagh (the area known today as Nerkin and Verin Giratagh, close to Baghaberd Fortress). This theory is based on the etymology of the place name Giratagh. “Gir” means writing, and “tagh” is the stem of the word “taghel,” which means “to brry.”
However, there is another theory as to the origin of the place name, which claims that Giratagh is related to the word “kurq” meaning “idol” in Armenian. It is said that the place was famous for its idols and had many sacrificial altars, and is this is why it was also once known as Kratagh.
Senekerim and Syune
Syunik is not only famous for its monasteries, fortresses, and courageous commanders, but also for its rich variety of folktales. One such folk tale details the love story of a beautiful girl named Syune and a king named Senekerim.
Various sects, which rebelled against the teachings of the church, spread in medieval Armenia. The legend has it that Syune was from one such sectarian family, living during the reign of King Senekerim. Syune’s rebellious father was sentenced to death by the king. On that day, Syune vowed to take revenge and started chasing the king, for Syune was a skillful archer and horse rider.
Once when the king and his entourage were traveling from Baghaberd to Tandzaparakh monastery and then to the hermitage of Bekh, his horse was struck by an arrow and the king injured his shoulder. The guards chased down the archer and found out it was the beautiful Syune from the sectarian family. The Bishop Grigor and Queen Shahandukht insisted upon the death sentence for Syune, but the king was charmed. Despite his injury, the king was struck by the story that motivated her deed. He was also taken aback by her beauty. He freed Syune from captivity and gifted her a sword that he had received from Prince Sevada; Syune also fell in love with the king.
Senekerim and Syune could not keep their love secret. Rumors spread and reached Queen Shahandukht. In medieval times, such affairs were condemned by society. In medieval Armenia, a woman had one obligation – to marry and to raise children. But this story was not only about forbidden love, it was also about a warrior girl. It is said that the lovers met in an oak garden on the shore of the River Voghjaget. But soon their happy days came to an end, when Senekrim was murdered by a Turkish prince.
Syune swore to take revenge. In disguise as the Turkish queen’s maidservant, Syune entered the enemy army. However, the Turkish prince discovered her identity and guessed her intentions, for he had also heard about the love story of Syune and Senekerim. Nevertheless, he sets her free saying, “If you kill me, it will bring you honor but if I kill you it will bring me shame.”
Syune leaves the enemy’s camp, but soon falls into captivity again. Fighting in defense of the Girl’s Fortress, between the historical village of Shekq and today’s Dzorastan, the famous warrior girl falls into the hands of the enemy. The same Turkish prince gives orders to blind her and then set her free once more.
All her life Syune lived as a free spirit. She turned away from Christ and did not fear the burden of forbidden love. What else could the blind girl now do? She decides to spend the rest of her days at the royal grave of her beloved.
However, no one had forgiven Syune. Not Senekerim’s son, King Grigor, and his mother Shahandukht, nor the Bishop Grigor of Syunik. The legend holds that to please the crowd, the bishop hung a cross from the girl’s neck and let her enter Vahanavank Monastery. But she was murdered on that very same day, embracing the grave of her beloved.
Although the murder was ordered by that same bishop, deceitful rumors spread thatunable to bear her grief, Syune committed suicide.
Up to this day, the people of Syunik recall the brave and free-spirited girl who, despite the odds, remained true to her values and her love. Nobody knows where Syune is buried; besides the king or…?
Offer
