Antiquities

Orbelian’s Caravanserai

Orbelian’s Caravanserai (known previously as the Selim Caravanserai) is a caravanserai located in Vayots Dzor, a province in the southeastern part of Armenia.

An Armenian inscription on the eastern interior wall, just after the entrance, states that it was built by Prince Chesar from the Orbelian dynasty in 1332 to provide shelter for people, animals, and goods that were traveling along the Silk Route.

When the flow of trade dried up following the decline of the Silk Route, Orbelian’s Caravanserai no longer served its purpose and fell out of use. Restorations of the building were carried out during the 20th century.

by Merike Joosep

Vigen Avetisyan

Recent Posts

Rusudan Artsruni: The Armenian Queen Who Became the Mother of Georgia’s Royal Line

Armenian historical tradition, echoed by a number of modern researchers, identifies Rusudan as an Armenian…

15 hours ago

The Ughtasar Petroglyphs in the Heart of Yerevan: A Bronze Age Gallery in Tigran Mets Park

Tucked away in the greenery of the 2nd block of Yerevan's Nor Nork district, in…

3 days ago

Yerevan Is a Festival: From Aratta to Yerevan

Based on the Armenian-language essay "Երևանը տոն է. Արատտայից Երևան" ("Yerevan Is a Festival: From…

6 days ago

The Armenian Bronze Chariot: A Ritual Vehicle of the 14th Century BC

Among the most evocative artifacts to survive from the Armenian Highland's Late Bronze Age is…

1 week ago

Clowns of War: The Strange Battlefield Legacy of Medieval Armenian Theater

Long before "clown" became a synonym for children's birthday parties, the word described a hardened…

2 weeks ago