Ahtsk

The village is located on the Arzni-Shamiram canal . In the immediate vicinity of the highway Artik - Agarak . Neighboring villages are Agarak , Byurakan and Ujan .

Tomb of the Armenian kings of Arshakuni dynasty

The village is a building of the IV century - the tomb of the Armenian kings ^[3] . The remains of the Armenian kings were taken from the Persians who were trying to take them to Persia , believing that it would add fame to them and reburied in the village of Akhtsk. For this, a tomb was built. This building dates from 359 - 360 years .

The tomb is illuminated only by light penetrating through the door opening. On the stone pillars of the entrance are preserved bas-reliefs of hunting scenes. According to legend, the remains of pagan kings from the Arshakids dynasty were buried to the left of the entrance, and the kings who had already converted to Christianity were buried to the right, near the bas-relief with a cross. Sarcophagi are decorated with bas-reliefs of the 4th century . On the right Christian sarcophagus depicts a warrior, spear striking a boar . The fight scene of a man with a wild boar symbolizes the war between Armenia and Persia , as the boar was depicted on the seal of the Persian king.

Close to the tomb adjoined a Christian temple, built in the IV century . Its ruins have survived to this day. Preserved remains of side walls, altar, columns.

Both the temple and the tomb were built on the edge of the gorge, at the bottom of which flows the river Amberd . On both sides of the gorge are high, steep, rocks. ^[four]

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  View of Mount Ararat and the Ararat Plain from Akhtsk.

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  Tomb of the Armenian kings of Arshakuni dynasty

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  Entrance to the tomb

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  Temple Ruins (7th century)

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  Login from the inside

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  Niche to the right of the entrance

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  Niche to the left of the entrance

• Profile on geonames (inaccessible link) (English)