BAGESH FORTRESS

Fortress Bagesh, one of the outstanding structures of Western Armenia, was first mentioned by the 7th century historian Sebeos. According to legend, the foundation of the fortress is associated with the name of Alexander the Great. In 1849, the Turkish authorities captured Bagesh, destroying the fortress and many other buildings. After that, Bagesh turns into the center of the vilayet of the same name. In June 1915, the Armenian population of the entire region was subjected to terrible massacre, after which Bagesh ceased to be Armenian. February 18, 1916 The first Armenian volunteers, led by commander Andranik, captured the Bagesh fortress. Soon, terrorist Turkish troops captured Bagesh again, by killing many Armenians. This is one of the latest examples of deportation of Armenian people, which took place both decades before the genocide and was repeated in the 1900s by Turkish terrorists.