Sardar's Fortress

The fortress features thick double walls reinforced by substantial towers, constructed from stones taken from the ancient ruins of Armavir, some bearing cuneiform inscriptions.

Built around 1807-1810 by Hossein Khan Sardar, the last Persian Qajar governor of the Erivan Khanate, the fortress served as both military stronghold and administrative center until its capture by Russian forces under General Paskevich in 1828.

The fortress complex included irrigated gardens utilizing water from the Aras River, storehouses, and residential quarters that housed approximately 500 inhabitants including military personnel, artisans, and merchants during its active period.

Located near modern-day Nor Armavir in Armenia's Armavir Province, visitors can access the site via regional roads, though only minimal remains survive as most stones were reused for subsequent construction projects.

The fortress walls incorporated ancient stones from Armavir bearing cuneiform inscriptions, creating a direct physical link between Armenia's Urartian heritage and its 19th-century Persian administrative history.