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Cognitive visit to Byurakan observatory named after Viktor Hambardzumyan and Amberd castle-church complex

On November 8, an active participant of "Endanik on wheels" educational and cultural program, the teenagers of  "Endanik" center and the communities of Shirak region /as an incentive/ made a cognitive visit to historical and cultural places of Aragatsotn region: Byurakan observatory named after Viktor Hambardzumyan and Amberd castle-church complex .

The researchers of the observatory presented to the teenagers that in 2013 Byurakan observatory has been awarded the status of RA National Treasure by the RA Government and that it is one of the 3 RA National Treasures along with the Matenadaran and Genocide Institute. In 2015, the International Astronomical Union awarded the Byurakan Observatory the status of the Regional Center of Southwest and Central Asia. It is one of the 11 astronomical regional centers of the world and coordinates development-oriented astronomical activities in the countries of the region. In Amberd Castle, the young people got acquainted with the history of the castle, how it passed to the Bagratunis in the 8th century, later becoming one of the most important military fortifications of the Bagratuni kingdom. In the 10th century, the kings of Bagratuni handed it over to the princes, commanders of the Armenian troops. This is evidenced by a letter written by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni, the priest of Ani in 1050, in which it is mentioned that at the beginning of the 10th century, the fortress and nearby buildings belonged to the powerful Pahlavuni princes.

09/11/2022