Ijevanatun Caravanserai

XIII - XVII AD - Hadrut Region, Karabakh

As in old and medieval times the only mode of transport was by means of animal caravans. Many caravansaries were built on the roads, towns and even on rocks. Many such shelters were found in historical Artsakh.

One of them is the Ijevanatun (meaning caravanserai) complex rising in the middle of Gharabagh village (name during Soviet times, may have changed). It's convenient geographical position, roomy halls, churches, other sacred spots, vaulted stables and other constructions played a great role in trade relations. It can easily be seen that the complex was built by different architects, but the wholeness of the construction was well-held.

The Ijevanatun doesn’t have a planned scheme, and is just fit to the hill. The temple on the hill is built of grey stone and has thick walls.

40 m from the temple there is a wall built of half-processed stone with three vaulted doors. Behind the doors is the roomy halls on the northern and southern side of which the one-nave hall-rooms doors are situated. The four halls are completely inside the rock and can’t be seen.

Other constructions of this complex are situated at the foot of the hill. The main entrance is situated towards the hall and two stables are built in its either side. All constructions are half-dug.

Three arches of the hall are horse-shoe-shaped and are built with Armenian architectural spirit. In the middle of the hall over the vaulted pillar there is a handwritten inscription -"I, Jli Vard and came the year of RJL (1681)".