The places of interest of a tiny country such as Armenia currently is always amaze visitors, since none of them expects to see such a huge and impressive list, which seems not to have an end.
The Fortress of Bjni was built in the 9th-10th centuries by the Pahlavuni Princes in the village of Bjni, which was first mentioned in Armenian historian and chronicler Ghazar Parpetsi’s “History of Armenia.”
Years long the fortress used to be the primary fortification of the province of Nig, which protected and guarded Bjni. In its turn, the fortress is protected by rocks to the south, east and partially, to the west. As to the north and west, the fortress was surrounded by pyramid-like walls. They are now half-ruined. The ruins and traces of various building-structures can be seen in the fortress.
Note that the walls of the fortress can be seen only from the western side of the village of Bjni.
Bjni Fortress was built in the 9th-10th centuries by the Pahlavuni Princes who originated from the Bagratuni dynasty. The fortress was later reconstructed by Vasak-Holum Pahlavuni, the commander-in-chief of the Armenians. During the tenth century the village of Bjni was the residence of the commander. And also, in 1066 the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians was held in Bjni.
The mentioned period is pictured in “Chronicle” by Armenian historian Mathew of Edessa who, in all probability, began writing it in 1113 and completed in 1140. Written in a dialect of Western Armenian the work covers the events of the second half of the tenth century up to the second half of the twelfth century. The part regarding Bjni Fortress recounts the invasions of Turkish soldiers in 1021. It was then that Vasak learned that the entire district of Nig was enslaved. It was followed by the battle near the River of Qasagh. Feeling exhausted Vasak decided to rest at a mountain and while asleep the commander was struck and thrown off of a rock.
The 14th century was not promising for Armenians and the fortress either. In 1387-1388 Turkic Ruler Timur Lenk known as Tamerlane, whose main goal was to restore the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan, destroyed the village of Bjni. Armenian cleric and chronicler Thomas of Metsoph left an account of Tamerlane’s invasions of the Caucasus, according to which Timur besieged the fortress of Bjni and killed the bishop of the land.
The Church of Saint Astvatsatsin was built by Gregory Magistros, the son of Vasak Pahlavuni. Gregory was an Armenian linguist and scholar. He constructed the church in 1031.
One of the unique elements of the church the walls of which include various inscriptions is the cantilevered stone drawers stretching along the walls at the height of 5 meters. It is assumed that the drawers sheltered the various manuscripts written in the church.
To the south of the church there is a vaulted chapel dating to the 13th century. There is a huge khatchkar (cross-stone) in the niche of the chapel’s western wall.
Various popular masters of stone-carving used to work in Bjni and it is seen by the number of precious khatchkars found at the eastern wall of the church. The church was reconstructed in 1947.
Bjni Fortress: What else to see in the vicinity?
First off, the village of Bjni is itself a historical site and therefore, it would be much better if the visitors had a well-aware guide who would introduce the heroic history of this village in full details. Other than that, there is the church of Saint Sargis.
Saint Sargis is a domed type church found in the eastern part of Bjni. The cruciform church was made of tuff and dates to the 7th century. Note that in all Armenia this church is the smallest in its type.
Another site worth seeing is the rock named Tsakqar (Holey stone). Tsakqar is truly one of the nature’s wonders. It represents a huge natural arch, which is to be seen once you are visiting Bjni. There is an interesting legend regarding the naming of Tsakqar, which has it that there is a cool spring the water of which doesn’t get frozen in winter and which operates seven mills. The spring is believed to have made a hole in the near rock, and there goes the name.
