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

Who Is Buried in the Women’s Tomb of the Royal Family of Commagene

Karakuş ("Black Bird") — a hierothesion of the Orontid dynasty in the Nymphaios valley Introduction…

36 minutes ago

St. Sargis Church in Bjni (7th Century): History, Route and Practical Travel Guide

A tiny cross-domed church on a rocky outcrop above one of Armenia’s oldest villages —…

1 day ago

Svo Raf: The Thief-in-Law Whom Armenia Remembers as a Protector

Rafael Baghdasaryan (1930–1993) lived the life of a professional criminal and died a hero of…

2 days ago

If the Lawsuits Are Withdrawn: Legal Avenues for Artsakh’s Displaced and the Question of Armenia’s Occupied Territories

Status as of 6 November 2026. This is an analytical piece, not legal advice. The…

3 days ago

Ararat-1: How Stone Tools Revealed the Routes of Ancient People on the Armenian Highland 50,000 Years Ago

Palaeolithic of the Armenian Highland · based on Quaternary Science Reviews, the Russian TV channel…

3 days ago