Nakhichevan, cradled in the folds of ancient Armenia, bears witness to a rich tapestry of history, myth, and tragedy. As the oldest city in Armenia, it stands as a silent sentinel, its stones echoing the footsteps of Noah himself.
Noah’s Descent and the First Refuge
According to biblical accounts, Noah’s ark came to rest on the Ararat Mountains. Yet, it was in Nakhichevan that Noah finally stepped onto solid ground after the cataclysmic flood. The mountain peaks, shrouded in mist, revealed themselves to him on the first day of the tenth month—a moment etched into the annals of time.
Nakhichevan’s name itself carries echoes of sanctuary. “Nakh ijevan,” in Armenian, translates to “the first refuge.” Here, on the site of the ancient settlement known as Kul-Tapa, the city took root, its foundations intertwined with legend and reality.
Noah’s Tomb and the Vanished Mausoleum
Near the village of Tmbul, a mausoleum once stood—a sacred place where Noah was believed to rest. Eyewitnesses described an octagonal vaulted domed hall, its dimensions precise: 10 steps in diameter, a central column supporting the vault, and a low entrance. Tragically, the mausoleum crumbled into oblivion decades ago, leaving only whispers of its existence.
Crossroads of Trade and Culture
Nakhichevan’s strategic location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes bestowed upon it cultural vibrancy and economic significance. Beyond Armenians, Jews and Greeks also called this city home. Their lives intersected, their stories woven into the fabric of Nakhichevan’s streets.
Within its walls stood a fortress, its remnants still visible today. The city’s protective ring stretched 3-4 kilometers, punctuated by watchtowers and towers—a testament to its historical importance.
A Tragic Legacy
Yet, when we speak of Nakhichevan, we must acknowledge the shadows that linger. Ruins remain, remnants of a past destroyed by the hands of the Caucasian Turks—now known as Azerbaijanis. The Armenian presence, once vibrant, has all but vanished from Nakhichevan.
The districts of Goghtn Vaspurakan, Yernjak, Shaaponk, and Jauk of Syunik, along with parts of the Sharur district, were ceded to Azerbaijan in 1921. The Moscow Treaty between Russia and Turkey sealed this fate, altering the course of history.
A Vanishing Heritage
The statistical decline is stark: In 1897, 34,672 Armenians inhabited Nakhichevan; by 1979, only 3,406 remained. The Armenophobic policies of Azerbaijani authorities drove out the indigenous population, erasing centuries of cultural heritage. Today, not a single Armenian resides in Nakhichevan.
Photographs of Memory
During Soviet times, Nakhichevan was a forbidden realm. Armenian surnames barred entry, and photography was prohibited. Yet, some dared to capture what remained—the silent stones, the echoes of a lost civilization. Their images speak of resilience, of a people who refuse to be forgotten.
As we honor Nakhichevan’s ancient origins, let us also remember the silenced voices, the vanished churches, and the indomitable spirit that once thrived within its walls. For in the ruins lies a story—a testament to endurance and the enduring quest for refuge and remembrance.
Nakhichevan: Echoes of a Vanished Heritage
The ancient land of Nakhichevan, steeped in history and myth, bears the weight of lost civilizations. From the Urartian era to the present day, this region has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, leaving behind fragments of its past.
Agulis: A City of Ruins
Agulis, once a thriving city, now lies in ruins. Historical documents evoke images of two- and three-story mansions, bustling craft workshops, theological schools, and a rich library-reading room. Twelve magnificent monasteries and churches adorned the landscape: St. Tovmas (Thomas), St. Christopher, Surb Astvatsatsin, St. Minas, St. Shmavon, St. Hovhannes, St. Hakob Hayrapet, St. Trinity, and Amarain. Yet today, only remnants remain—a silent testament to Agulis’s former glory.
Mesropavan: Where Mashtots Resided
Mesropavan, named after the revered Mesrop Mashtots, once thrived in Nakhichevan. The echoes of his legacy still whisper through its streets.
Ordubad: Silk, Palaces, and Pagan Roots
Ordubad, another renowned city, boasts a rich history. Silk trade, opulent palaces, and a tapestry of churches and monasteries once defined its character. But time has been unkind, leaving little behind.
Before Christianity took root, Ordubad stood as a pagan center. Ancient plane trees, their gnarled branches reaching skyward, bear witness to a millennium of existence. The oldest among them, a mighty plane tree, defies time—its age estimated at over 2500 years.
Old Jugha: A Symbol of Loss
Old Jugha, nestled in the province of Yernjak, embodies tragedy. Azerbaijani barbarism erased khachkars, Armenian churches, and schools. Nakhichevan itself, once adorned with 80 Armenian churches according to 13th-century travelers, now stands bereft of architectural remnants from the early Middle Ages.
Today, mausoleums from the 12th to 15th centuries dot the landscape, alongside the Armenian Church of St. Gevorg—a fragile link to a fading past.
A Vanishing Legacy
Of the 219 Armenian monasteries and churches that once graced Nakhichevan, not one remains. The void echoes across time, leaving a void not only in Armenian culture but also in the universal tapestry of human heritage. As we reflect on these lost treasures, we honor the resilience of memory—the fragile thread connecting us to a forgotten world.
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