Aghaj-Ghala Castle :: ARTSAKH HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Aghaj-Ghala Castle

Azerbaijan / Northern Artsakh / Touz / Aghaj-Ghala

Location

The medieval castle of Aghaj-Ghala (translated from Turkish as ‘Wooden Castle’), also known by the name of Shahpekar, is one of the most remarkable local monuments. Its ruins are preserved at the top of a lofty, rocky mountain towering on the right bank of the river Yekeghetsajur (Kilisasuyu), in the west of Aghaj-Ghala.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 525.

Historical Introduction

The steep sides of the rock secure the natural impregnability of the castle in the south, west and east. Its northern and eastern sections were once fortified by mighty ramparts, whose ruins have survived to a height of 2.5 to 3 metres.

Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 525.

Monuments

A large mediaeval village site and a cemetery are preserved in the vicinity of the castle, in the east of which a ruined chapel is located. With this respect a record states, “Opposite Aghaj-Ghala, towers Mount Choban-Seghnakh, with a chapel at its northern foot…”

Yeghishe Charents Art and Literature Museum. Sargis Kamalian Fund, copy-book No. 1, VI-11, p. 10.
Karapetian, Samvel. Northern Artsakh, Yerevan, 2007, p. 525.

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative
Date 1980 — 1982 yy․

Name	Year/Century	Etymology
Shahpekar