Proshaberd ( hy, Պռոշաբերդ, also Boloraberd) is a fortress built in the 13th century by Prince Prosh Khaghbakian. It is about north of the town of

Vernashen Vernashen ( hy, Վերնաշեն) is a village in the Gladzor Municipality of the Vayots Dzor Province in Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Weste ...

in the

Vayots Dzor Province Vayots Dzor ( hy, Վայոց Ձոր, ) is a province (''marz'') of Armenia. It lies at the southeastern end of the country, bordering the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan to the west and the Kalbajar District of Azerbaijan to the east. It cove ...

Armenia Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ...

. Almost one kilometer east is the 14th century Spitakavor Church dedicated to Saint Astvatsatsin.

Folklore of Proshaberd

Local folklore tells that long ago the

Persians The Persians are an Iranian ethnic group who comprise over half of the population of Iran. They share a common cultural system and are native speakers of the Persian language as well as of the languages that are closely related to Persian. ...

besieged the fortress of Proshaberd which had very strong walls and its own water supply that led to the structure. Due to its impenetrable walls they were not successful, and after several attempts at trying to bring the fortress down they decided to cut off its water supply. Soldiers were unsuccessfully able to locate it, so the leader was advised by one of his men to keep a mule thirsty for seven days and nights and then to let it go for it will search for water. The recommendation was heeded, and after seven days and nights the mule was let free. It went on to search for water, and went precisely to the area where the water supply that led to the fortress was located and started to dig. The Persian army was then able to cut the water supply off, which in turn caused the fortress to surrender. Prince Prosh fearing possible attacks in the near future is said to have hid his valuables within the walls of Proshaberd and in the nearby mountains and ravines. It is said that, "If one can understand the symbols left by Prince Prosh, then they may possibly locate his lost treasures." A

khachkar A ''khachkar'', also known as a ''khatchkar'' or Armenian cross-stone ( hy, խաչքար, , խաչ xačʿ "cross" + քար kʿar "stone") is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, i ...

that sits alone near the road strangely reads, "The treasure is in the head."

References

* * {{Castles in Armenia Archaeological sites in Armenia Castles in Armenia Forts in Armenia Buildings and structures in Vayots Dzor Province Tourist attractions in Vayots Dzor Province