Berd

For the river in Russia, see Berd (river). For the acronym BERD, see European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

40°52′51″N 45°23′30″E

Berd Բերդ
A view of Berd
Coat of arms
Berd Show map of Armenia Berd Show map of Tavush
Coordinates: 40°52′51″N 45°23′30″E
Country	Armenia
Province	Tavush
Municipality	Berd
Founded	10th century
Area
• Total	3.5 km^2 (1.4 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	7,957
• Density	2,300/km^2 (5,900/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+4 (AMT)
Berd at GEOnet Names Server

Berd (Armenian: Բերդ [bɛɾtʰ]) is a town in the Tavush Province of Armenia. It is the administrative centre of Berd Municipality. The town is located to the west of the Tavush River, 211 kilometres (131 miles) from Yerevan, surrounded by low mountains. Near the city are the ruins of the 10th-century Tavush Fortress and the 12th-century monasteries Nor Varagavank and Khoranashat. Other monasteries nearby include Shkhmuradi, Srveghi, and Kaptavank. As of the 2022 census, the town had a population of 6,699, down from the 7,957 recorded in the 2011 census.^[2]

Etymology

Berd means 'fortress' or 'castle' in Armenian. The small town was named Berd because of its proximity to the ruins of the fortress of Tavush, located on the outskirts of the settlement.^[3] Throughout history, it has also been known as Berdagyugh, Tavuzghala, Tauzkend, Volorut, Shlorut and Ghalakyand.^[4]

History

Surb Hovhannes Church in Berd

Historically, the area of modern-day Berd was part of the Tuchkatak canton of Utik, the twelfth province of Greater Armenia. It was first mentioned in the 10th century as the residence of the Armenian king Ashot II the Iron. The fortress had a developed water supply system. It was abandoned in the 14th century.^[3]

The town was bombarded during the July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijan clashes.^[5]

Demographics

As of the 2022 census, the town had a population of 6,699, down from the 7,957 recorded in the 2011 census.^[2]

The population are mainly Armenians. The town is also home to around 200 Udis, who belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Economy

Berd and the surrounding areas are a major centre for agricultural production in Armenia. Fruits, tobacco and other types are produced in the surrounding farms. Other notable industries of Berd include winemaking, beekeeping and animal husbandry.

Gallery

• 
  Tavush Fortress
• 
  Mariam Mayr Vank near Berd
• 
  A view of Berd
• 
  Khoranashat Monastery near Berd
• 
  Scenery around Berd
• 
  Mashtots Avenue

References

1. Statistical Committee of Armenia. "2011 Armenia census, Tavush Province" (PDF).
2. "The Main Results of RA Census 2022". Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
3. "Berd". Armeniadiscovery.com. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
4. Hakobian, T. Kh.; Melik-Bakhshian, St. T.; Barseghian, H. Kh. (1986). "Berd" Բերդ. Hayastani ev harakitsʻ shrjanneri teghanunneri baṛaran Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան [Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories] (in Armenian). Vol. 1. Yerevan State University Publishing House. p. 660.
5. Kucera, Joshua (14 July 2020). "Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan widens". Eurasianet. Retrieved 4 March 2024.