.png)
Kakavaberd fortress is located in the heart of the Ararat province, 1,516 meters above sea level, in the middle of Khosrov State Reserve. The fortress is first mentioned in 9th century, yet it’s estimated to have been built long time before the first record. Kakavaberd is also known by the names Geghi Berd, Keghi Berd or simply Kegh.
According to a legend, once a priest healed the conqueror of Tamerlane. As a token of gratitude Tamerlane promises to fulfill one humble wish of the priest. The latter asks him to release as many prisoners as he could fit in the little church. Tamerlan agrees and when the liberated entered the church, the priest turned them into birds and they flew away. So the name of the monastery derived; “kakav” means “partridge” translated from Armenian.