A FORTIFIED TOWER

The monument is situated on the edge of a gorge lying on the left bank of the river Voskepar, 2.5 km west of Voskepar, at an altitude of 802 metres above sea level (N 41°03.44.73´´; E 045°01.25.86´´).

Perhaps, the only written record mentioning it is provided by Bishop Makar: “Above the ruined [village of] Voskepar, there is a lofty tower built of lime and stone. It stands on the left side of the same tributary and is called Ghez-Ghala.”₁

The structure represents a four-floor (the first is a basement) fortified house of a square plan (exterior dimensions: 7.96 x 7.46 metres) and a height of over 10 metres. It has two entrances opening from the northern and southern facades

of its first floor.

The tower is built of undressed stone, burnt brick—including some glazed blue—and mortar (similarly-glazed bricks are also used in the nearby church of Berdavank).

We think that it was erected in the 13th century and belonged to an Armenian Chalcedonian prince.

_{1 Բարխուտարեանց Մ., նշվ. աշխ., էջ 381-382:}