GHALINJAKAR CASTLE
Location. The castle stands on a lofty triangular hillock on the right bank of the river Koghb, north-east of the village site of Ghalacha, about a km east of Berdavan Village, Tavush Region, Republic of Armenia (Koghbopor District, Gugark Province, Armenia Maior), at an altitude of 665 metres above sea level (N 41°12°13.65´´; E 045°01°13.93´´).
A Historical Introduction. Written sources first mention the castle of Ghalinjakar in 1123. Probably, it underwent repairs in the Late Middle Ages.
The first specialists to conduct studies of this monument were archaeologists L. Barseghian and Zh. Khachatrian in 1960 to 1961.
In 1983 the castle grounds were cleaned and renovated: the upper sections of its fortified walls and towers were removed and re-laid; two north-eastern towers were restored, etc.
An Architectural Description. The castle represents a structure of an almost triangular plan, which stretches from the east westward and has ramparts with towers. It has an entrance which opens from the west and ends in an arrow-shaped arch of brick. The castle had a secret underground passage, the initial part of which is preserved in the lower section of its eastern tower.
The fort is built of roughly-dressed yellowish felsite and mortar with the exception of the lower masonry of its walls and the border stones of the openings, which are finely-finished. Its walls preserve medieval sculptured fragments.
The village site of Ghalacha lies about 200 metres south-west of the castle. It retains some house remnants, a church, a chapel and a cemetery of cross-stones.
The formerly-inhabited village consisted of two quarters each of which had a church. One of them, Sourb Astvatzatzin, is a tri-nave basilica with its only entrance opening from the north (altitude above sea level: 685 metres; N 41°12°06.95´´; E 045°01°10.21´´). At present it is in a semi-ruined state. Its brick vault used to be supported by 6 pillars. In the east, its semi-circular sanctuary is located with a vestry on either side.
In the 19th century, “...a local widow had a small beautiful belfry built of finely-finished stone with her own means in memory of her sons and daughters-in-law whose names are mentioned one by one in the inscription.” At present the belfry is not preserved.
The church is built of roughly-finished yellowish felsite with the exception of its wall pylons and the border stones of its entrance and windows, which are finely-dressed.
It is adjoined by a large cemetery of cross-stones which also retains a winged cross typical of the 13th century.
The other church of Ghalacha, which more resembles a chapel due to its small dimensions and preserves two medieval cross-stones inside it, is almost thoroughly in ruins.
