Vorotnaberd, Medieval fortress in Syunik Province, Armenia

Vorotnaberd is a medieval fortress positioned on a rocky outcrop overlooking Vorotan Canyon. The stone walls follow the natural terrain and form a series of defensive structures spread across the hillside.

Yegishe, a 5th-century historian, lists Vorotnaberd among the forts and towns freed from Persian rule in 450. Stepanos Orbelian records that King Senekerim A of Syunik held it from 1075 to 1094. Seljuk Turks took it in 1104; Ivane Zakaryan retook it in 1219 and gave it to Liparit Orbelian. Timur's troops seized it in 1386 and deported princes Burtel and Smbat Orbelian to Samarkand; Smbat later returned, but Kara-Yusuf took the fortress from him in 1407. Davit Bek captured it from Melik Baghri in 1724.

Locals call it Davit Bek's Castle after the Armenian commander who took it from Melik Baghri in 1724. The name recalls that seizure rather than any building work. The fortress also guarded the now-ruined village of Vorotan, whose inhabitants used a second gate below the eastern wall to reach the site during attacks.

The site is accessible by foot from the nearby Vorotnavank Monastery, involving a short walk through the valley. Sturdy shoes and patience with uneven terrain are helpful when exploring the ruins.

A second gate on the east side opened above the Vorotan River and was used by the people of the old village of Vorotan, whose ruins lie below the eastern wall, to reach the fortress during attacks; the main entrance faced the opposite way.