Arshakid Kings Mausoleum: A Royal Resting Place

Nestled in the village of Aghdzk, the Arshakid Kings Mausoleum stands as a significant historical site, holding the remains of Armenia's Arshakid dynasty, which ruled from 12 AD to 428 AD. Constructed in the mid-late 4th century, the mausoleum is a testament to the Kingdom of Armenia's rich history. According to historical accounts, King Shapur II of Persia, after capturing Ani-Kamakh in 364 AD, exhumed the bones of Armenian kings with the intention of moving them to Persia. He believed that possessing the bones would transfer the kings' glory and fortune to his kingdom. However, Sparapet Vassak Mamikonian defeated the Persians and reclaimed the relics, burying them in Aghdzk. The mausoleum's architecture features a semi-cruciform plan with ossuary niches on the north and south sides. These niches once held the remains of both pagan and Christian kings. Legend states that the bones of Christian kings were placed to the right of the entrance, near a bas-relief with a cross, while pagan kings were buried to the left. The ossuary boxes are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting biblical and astrological scenes. The north wall showcases Daniel in the lions' den, while the south wall features a mythical hero alongside astrological imagery. Adjacent to the mausoleum is a basilica, constructed in the late 4th to early 5th century. The basilica originally had a central nave with four columns separating it from the aisles. Today, only the lower walls and some larger stones remain, with partial reconstruction occurring in the 19th century. Approximately 100 meters north of the mausoleum, a shrine sits alongside caves dating back to the 16th-18th centuries, which served as refuge during invasions.