Berd

{{for multi|the river in Russia|Berd (river)|the acronym BERD|European Bank for Reconstruction and Development}}

{{Infobox settlement

|official_name = Berd

|native_name = Բերդ

|image_skyline = Բերդ, Տավուշ (2).JPG

|imagesize = 250px

|image_caption = A view of Berd

|pushpin_map = Armenia#Tavush

|mapsize = 150px

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = {{Flag|Armenia}}

|subdivision_type1 = Province

|subdivision_name1 = Tavush

|subdivision_type2 = Municipality

|subdivision_name2 = Berd

|established_title = Founded

|established_date = 10th century

|area_total_km2 = 3.5

|population_footnotes = {{cite web|url=https://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=82&id=2623|title=The Main Results of RA Census 2022, trilingual / Armenian Statistical Service of Republic of Armenia|website=www.armstat.am|access-date=2025-03-03}}

|population_as_of = 2022

|population_total = 6,899

|population_density_km2 = auto

|timezone = AMT

|utc_offset = +4

| image_shield = COA_of_Berd.jpg

|coordinates = {{coord|40|52|51|N|45|23|30|E|region:AM|display=inline}}

|footnotes = {{GEOnet2|32FA881E72233774E0440003BA962ED3}}

}}

Berd ({{langx|hy|Բերդ}} {{IPA|hy|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, {{convert|211|km|0|abbr=off}} 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 6,899, down from the 7,957 recorded in the 2011 census.

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.{{Cite web |title=Berd |url=https://armeniadiscovery.com/en/city/berd |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=Armeniadiscovery.com |language=en}} Throughout history, it has also been known as Berdagyugh, Tavuzghala, Tauzkend, Volorut, Shlorut and Ghalakyand.{{Cite book |last1=Hakobian |first1=T. Kh. |title=Hayastani ev harakitsʻ shrjanneri teghanunneri baṛaran |last2=Melik-Bakhshian |first2=St. T. |last3=Barseghian |first3=H. Kh. |publisher=Yerevan State University Publishing House |year=1986 |volume=1 |location= |page=[http://nayiri.com/imagedDictionaryBrowser.jsp?dictionaryId=61&dt=HY_HY&pageNumber=692 660] |language=hy |script-title=hy:Հայաստանի և հարակից շրջանների տեղանունների բառարան |trans-title=Dictionary of Toponymy of Armenia and Adjacent Territories |chapter=Berd |script-chapter=hy:Բերդ}}

History

File:Բերդ քաղաքի Սուրբ Հովհաննես եկեղեցին.jpg

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.

The town was bombarded during the July 2020 Armenian–Azerbaijan clashes.{{Cite news |last=Kucera |first=Joshua |date=14 July 2020 |title=Fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan widens |url=https://eurasianet.org/fighting-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan-widens |access-date=4 March 2024 |work=Eurasianet}}

Demographics

As of the 2022 census, the town had a population of 6,899, down from the 7,957 recorded in the 2011 census.

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

{{Historical populations

|1897|1345

|1926|2358

|1939|4422

|1959|5845

|1976|8520

|1989|10368

|1991|11200

|2001|8810

|2011|7957

|2022|6899

|align=none|percentages=pagr|graph-pos=bottom|source={{Cite Republic of Armenia Settlements Dictionary}}}}

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.

Notable People

Gnel Medzhlumyan, was a Soviet Armenian freestyle wrestler. He is a European Champion.
Narine Abgaryan, author.

Gallery

Vanianberd.png|Tavush Fortress

Mariam Mayri vank-37.JPG|Mariam Mayr Vank near Berd

2009year0395.jpg|A view of Berd

Khoranashat 19.jpg|Khoranashat Monastery near Berd

2009year0405.jpg|Scenery around Berd

Mashtots avenue in Berd city-2.jpg|Mashtots Avenue

References

Category:Populated places in Tavush Province

Category:Populated places established in the 10th century

Category:Elizavetpol Governorate