Odzaberd Fortress (Tsovinar)

Odzaberd, whose name means "snake fortress," is an ancient stronghold on a height above the southern shore of Lake Sevan, near Tsovinar and Artsvanist. Its origins reach back to the Urartian period, and the site is associated with a famous cuneiform inscription of King Rusa I of Urartu, dating to the late 8th century BC, which records his campaigns and conquests around the lake. The remains of massive cyclopean walls testify to its strategic importance in controlling the fertile southern basin. Reaching the fortress involves a climb, rewarded by a tangible link to the deep pre-Christian history of the region and commanding views over the water.