Shirakavan (ancient city)
| Շիրակավան | |
The Armenian Church of Surp Prkich (Holy Saviour) in Shirakavan before 1923
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 Shown within Turkey
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| Alternate name | Yerazgavors (Armenian: Երազգավորս) |
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| Location | The location of the current village of Çetindurak, on the right bank of Akhurian River, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 40°41′39″N 43°44′12″E / 40.69417°N 43.73667°ECoordinates: 40°41′39″N 43°44′12″E / 40.69417°N 43.73667°E |
| History | |
| Founded | 7th century |
| Abandoned | 1920 |
Shirakavan (Armenian: Շիրակավան); founded as Yerazgavors and later Yerazgavork, was a medieval Armenian city and one of the 13 historic capitals of Armenia, serving as a capital city between 890 and 929 during the Bagratid Kingdom of Armenia.
The city was located on the right bank of Akhurian River to the northeast of Ani, corresponding with the current village of Çetindurak of Akyaka district of Kars Province, within the Republic of Turkey.
The earliest mentions of Shirakavan as a settlement appear as Yerazgavors in the 7th century, by the Armenian historian Sebeos. Yerazgavors was described by Sebeos as a village in the Shirak canton within the Ayrarat province of Armenia Major. It was later developed by king Smbat I of Armenia who moved the capital of Bagradit Armenia from Bagaran to Yerazgavors in 890, renaming it Shirakavan.
The church of Surp Prkich (Holy Saviour) built in the 880s by king Smbat I of Armenia, was among the notable landmarks of the city. Smbat was later crowned as king in the Surp Prkich Church by Catholicos George II of Armenia in 890. Shirakavan continued to serve as the capital of the kingdom until 929 when the city of Kars was chosen as capital by king Abas I of Armenia.
As described by the 11th and 12th century historians Stepanos Asoghik and Samuel Anetsi, Shirakavan had a central fortress surrounded with thick defensive city walls. Nonetheless, it was invaded by the Byzantines. Then in 1064, along with Ani, Shirakavan was destroyed by a large Seljuk Turkish army, headed by Sultan Alp Arslan.
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