Kapan

Kapan lies in the valley of the Voghji, enclosed by the steep mountains of Syunik. Fortresses guarded its approaches through the deep valleys, including Baghaberd to the west, and the town served as a centre of the medieval kingdom of Syunik. The surrounding mountains were rich in minerals, while narrow valleys connected Kapan with settlements throughout the region.

The medieval town suffered a devastating Seljuk attack in 1103. Centuries later, during the turmoil of the early eighteenth century, the Armenian commander Davit Bek rallied local forces in Syunik in 1722. He restored fortifications and made nearby Halidzor a stronghold of resistance. From these mountain defences his followers fought against hostile forces as Safavid authority weakened and Ottoman armies advanced into the region.