The Artsakh Republic (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) has launched the restoration works of the part of Askeran Fortress adjacent to Stepanakert-Askeran road. The program is implemented due to the financing of the Artsakh Government with 51 million AMD having been allocated to the program from the state budget.

As the Protection Service SNCO told Panorama.am, the reconstruction works are intended to be completed at the end of the current year. Askeran Fortress dating back to the 18th century, that is located on the tourism route leading to Tigranakert Reserve has never had difficulties in attracting tourists, however the reconstruction works will increase the attractiveness of the fortress making it appear anew for the tourists.

Until the early twentieth century, Askeran Fortress was one of the most important structures for the defense of the country. During the Artsakh Liberation War, one section of the tower facing the South sustained damage and later collapsed. The upper part of the fortress still bears the signs of the 1990 war.

As Head of Tourism Department of the NKR Ministry of Economy Arman Grigoryan noted, the part of Askeran Fortress adjacent to the road has been fenced with the restoration works of the fortress wall near the fence under way.

The authors of the program hope that the restoration works of the south-eastern wall and the two towers of the fortress will be completed within this year’s program and Askeran Fortress will become more attractive.