Akhtala
Akhtala
Geographical Position
Akhtala a town in Lori Province, Armenia with 2400 inhabitants. It is situated on the left bank of the Debed river at a distance of 186 km north of Yerevan and 62 km north of the provincial center Vanadzor on the slopes of the Lalvar mountain. Being one of the outstanding defensive spots of medieval Armenia, it, along with Lori, Kayan, Kaytzon, Gag and other fortresses, played a great role in protecting the northwestern regions and the main road from Armenia to Georgia (through Gugark).
The climate of this town is subtropical with cool, dry summers and mild winters. Annual precipitation reaches up to 600 mm. Akhtala is rich with copper, lead, and silver mines which are of industrial importance and are utilized.
General Description
Akhtala was a village until 1939, when it was granted the status of urban community. In 1995, the government of independent Armenia reaffirmed the status of Akhtala as a city. The place is famous for the Akhtala monastery. Akhtala is a 10th century monastic complex. The fortress’ territory is surrounded with rocky deep canyons. It played a major role in the Armenian Renaissance, which surpassed the European Renaissance for several centuries.
Since the ancient times, silver and non ferrous metals were extracted from this region. The Georgian king, Herakles, took Greeks here for the works from Trabzon. In 1887-1889, the French archeologist, engineer, and geologist Jacque de Morgan, discovered rectangular stone sepulchers near Akthala. These sepulchers date back to the 8th century, in which there were valuable cultural items made of clay, bronze, and iron.
Akhtala’s famous fortress wasbuilt in the 10th century. This was also the time of maintainence for Kyurik Bagratouni’s government. The fortress, along with its its temple complex, is situated in the Akhtala city of Tumanyan region, in a high valley. Besides the natural advantages, the fortress was protected by tall pyramid gates mutually connected with the picturesque environs which are preserved to this day. The main entrance opens from the northern side, which has a roomy hall with a vaulted roof and a three-storied pyramid tower.
Inside Akhtala’s fortress there is a monastery which consists of 3 churches, a bell-tower, a hall, and several stonemade dwellings.
The community has two public education schools, a house of culture, two libraries, a kindergarten, a sports ground, a hotel, a dispensary, and a hospital. The town is home to the Akhtala Health Resort. Industry is the main specialized branch of the city and its an attractive place for tourists.
