Akhtala
Encyclopedia
Akhtala a town in Lori Province, Armenia
with 2800 inhabitants according to 2009 estimate. It is situated on the left bank of Debed river at a
distance of 186 km north of Yerevan
and 62 km north of provincial centre Vanadzor
on the slopes of Lalvar mountain. 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.
During the 18th century, the village called Akhtala was part of Borchalu region of Tiflis governorate under the Russian rule. Starting from 1763 Greek experts from Gyumushkhane
arrived in Akhtala by the request of King Erekle II
of Georgia to exploit copper and silver mines and establish the copper and silver factory in Akhtala region. Therefore, the village was sometimes called "Peghendzahank" (copper mine) and "Artsatahank" (silver mine).
The old settlement of Akhtala is situated on the same territory of the mining site. Archeological excavations has shown that the area has been occupied by human since the early Bronze Age
. The half-ruined fortress of Akhtala is more than 1000 years old. It was almost certainly built on top of Bronze and Iron Age foundations, in the late tenth century by the Kyurikids, this branch of the Bagratunis originated from Gurgen
(the name was pronounced Kyurikeh in the local dialect of Gugark). He was the son of the patrons of Sanahin
and Haghpat
monasteries located not far from Akhtala, King Ashot III the Merciful
and Queen Khosrovanush. Gurgen's brothers were King Smbat II the Conqueror
and Gagik I Bagratuni
, under whom the Bagratuni Kingdom of Armenia
reached the peak of its prosperity.
Ashot III established the Kingdom of Lori
(Tashir-Dzoraget Kingdom) in Gugark for strategic reasons and enthroned Gurgen in 982. Gurgen along with his brother Smbat are depicted on the sculptures of the patrons in both Sanahin and Haghpat. When the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom fell as a result of Seljuk
raids the Kyurikids migrated to Tavush
and Metsnaberd yet they maintained ties with their ancestral fortress and compound in Akhtala. The impressive Akhtala monastery
was reconstructed during the 13th century by prince Ivaneh Zakarian with a unique architectural style. This medieval Christian complex which is located inside the fortress has been one of the important educational centres in the historical Armenian province of Gugark
.
Another significant architectural monument in Akhtala is the monastery of the Holy Trinity. During 1887-1889 excavations conducted by French archaeologist Jacques de Morgan
, the site of a historical cemetery was unveiled with some bronze and iron objects, weapons, and ornaments dating back to the 8th century BC.
The settlement of modern Akhtala was known as Agarak in the 5th century. The main district of the modern town was previously known as Nerkin Akhtala. In 1970, Akhtala had 4430 inhabitants, while it was 2225 in the 2001 census.
The area is rich with copper, lead and silver mines which are of industrial importance and are being utilized.
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.
The main industrial enterprise of the town is the Akhtala Mining Plant which is owned by "Metal Prince" company. There are small manufactories as well for food productions.
The main problems of the community are related with the reconstruction of the historical monuments and the environment; mainly air and water pollution.
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
with 2800 inhabitants according to 2009 estimate. It is situated on the left bank of Debed river at a
distance of 186 km north of Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
and 62 km north of provincial centre Vanadzor
Vanadzor
-Industry:Vanadzor is dominated by large chemical plants which include: "Prometey-Khimprom", "Vanadzor Chemical Plant", "Vanadzor Khimprom" and "Vanadzor Chemical Fiber Plant". Another big enterprise is the "Vanadzor Thermal Power Plant....
on the slopes of Lalvar mountain. 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.
Historical background
Gümüshane
-Features:Gümüşhane has a rich historical background so there are many historical places, mosques, churches, castles. Ancient city of Satala in the modern village of Sadak was the most important military camp of the ancient Roman Empire in the east. This place was ruled by the Hittites, Assyrians,...
arrived in Akhtala by the request of King Erekle II
Erekle II
Erekle II was a Georgian monarch of the Bagrationi Dynasty, reigning as the king of Kakheti from 1744 to 1762, and of Kartli and Kakheti from 1762 until 1798. In the contemporary Persian sources he is referred to as Erekli Khan, while Russians knew him as Irakli...
of Georgia to exploit copper and silver mines and establish the copper and silver factory in Akhtala region. Therefore, the village was sometimes called "Peghendzahank" (copper mine) and "Artsatahank" (silver mine).
The old settlement of Akhtala is situated on the same territory of the mining site. Archeological excavations has shown that the area has been occupied by human since the early Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. The half-ruined fortress of Akhtala is more than 1000 years old. It was almost certainly built on top of Bronze and Iron Age foundations, in the late tenth century by the Kyurikids, this branch of the Bagratunis originated from Gurgen
Kiurike I
Kiurike I was the first king of the Kingdom of Lori. He was succeeded by his son David I Anhoghin.-References:...
(the name was pronounced Kyurikeh in the local dialect of Gugark). He was the son of the patrons of Sanahin
Sanahin
Sanahin is a village in the northern province of Lori in Armenia, now considered part of the city of Alaverdi...
and Haghpat
Haghpat
Haghpat is a village in the Northern Lori province of Armenia, close to the city of Alaverdi and the state border with Georgia.It is notable for Haghpat Monastery, a religious complex founded in the 10th century and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with monasteries in nearby Sanahin...
monasteries located not far from Akhtala, King Ashot III the Merciful
Ashot III
Ashot III the Merciful also known as Ashot the Gracious was an Armenian king. He ruled from Armenia's capital city of Ani....
and Queen Khosrovanush. Gurgen's brothers were King Smbat II the Conqueror
Smbat II
Smbat II King of Armenia , son of Ashot III and ruled from Ani. He fortified the city and began the construction of the Cathedral of Ani. Smbat II succeeded to Ashot III, and continued his father’s work. He ordered the construction of a wall around the city of Ani and built towers and...
and Gagik I Bagratuni
Gagik I of Armenia
Gagik I was king of the Bagratuni Kingdom of Armenia. He succeeded his brother Smbat II the Conqueror . Armenia reached its zenith during the reign of Gagik.-Rule:...
, under whom the Bagratuni Kingdom of Armenia
Bagratuni Kingdom of Armenia
The medieval Kingdom of Armenia, also known as Bagratid Armenia , was an independent state established by Ashot I Bagratuni in 885 following nearly two centuries of foreign domination of Greater Armenia under Arab Umayyad and Abbasid rule...
reached the peak of its prosperity.
Ashot III established the Kingdom of Lori
Kingdom of Lori
Kingdom of Lori alternatively known as the Kingdom of Tashir-Dzoraget or Kingdom of Albania, was an Armenian kingdom formed during the breakup of Bagratuni Armenia. The kingdom encompassed territories of modern-day Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia....
(Tashir-Dzoraget Kingdom) in Gugark for strategic reasons and enthroned Gurgen in 982. Gurgen along with his brother Smbat are depicted on the sculptures of the patrons in both Sanahin and Haghpat. When the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom fell as a result of Seljuk
Seljuq dynasty
The Seljuq ; were a Turco-Persian Sunni Muslim dynasty that ruled parts of Central Asia and the Middle East from the 11th to 14th centuries...
raids the Kyurikids migrated to Tavush
Tavush
Tavush is a province of Armenia. The marz of Tavush is located in the north of Armenia and borders on Georgia and Azerbaijan.It is well known for its mountains. The most part of its territory is situated 800-1,000 m above sea level...
and Metsnaberd yet they maintained ties with their ancestral fortress and compound in Akhtala. The impressive Akhtala monastery
Akhtala monastery
Akhtala is a 10th-century fortified Armenian Apostolic Church monastery located in the town of Akhtala in the marz of Lori, north of Yerevan. The monastery is currently inactive. The fortress played a major role in protecting the north-western regions of Armenia and is among the most well...
was reconstructed during the 13th century by prince Ivaneh Zakarian with a unique architectural style. This medieval Christian complex which is located inside the fortress has been one of the important educational centres in the historical Armenian province of Gugark
Gugark
Gugark was the 13th province of Greater Armenia. It now comprises parts of northern Armenia, northeast Turkey, and southwest Georgia.-History:...
.
Another significant architectural monument in Akhtala is the monastery of the Holy Trinity. During 1887-1889 excavations conducted by French archaeologist Jacques de Morgan
Jacques de Morgan
Jean-Jacques de Morgan was a French mining engineer , geologist, and archaeologist. He was the director of Antiquities in Egypt during the 19th century , and excavated in Memphis and Dashur, providing many drawings of many Egyptian pyramids...
, the site of a historical cemetery was unveiled with some bronze and iron objects, weapons, and ornaments dating back to the 8th century BC.
The settlement of modern Akhtala was known as Agarak in the 5th century. The main district of the modern town was previously known as Nerkin Akhtala. In 1970, Akhtala had 4430 inhabitants, while it was 2225 in the 2001 census.
General information
The climate of the town is subtropical with cool and dry summers and mild winters. Annual precipitation reaches up to 600 mm.The area is rich with copper, lead and silver mines which are of industrial importance and are being utilized.
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.
The main industrial enterprise of the town is the Akhtala Mining Plant which is owned by "Metal Prince" company. There are small manufactories as well for food productions.
The main problems of the community are related with the reconstruction of the historical monuments and the environment; mainly air and water pollution.