Karmir Berd

Yerevan, Armenia

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Karmir Berd, also known as Karmir Blur or the Red Hill, is an ancient fortified city located in the southwestern part of Yerevan, Armenia, dating back to as early as the 13th century BC. It was built by King Rusa II of the Urartian Kingdom in the 7th century BC as a strategic fortress named Teyshebaini, after the Urartian god of thunder and war.

Excavations have uncovered layers of habitation, defensive walls, weapons, and various artifacts, highlighting its importance as a military and cultural center. The site was destroyed around 630-600 BC by the Scythians or Medes and later transformed into a burial ground during the Achaemenid and early Hellenistic periods.

In the Middle Ages, a church was established on the hilltop. Karmir Berd holds significant archaeological value as part of Yerevan’s ancient history and reflects the deep historical roots of the region.