UNDER CONSTRUCTION

   Martuni, anciently Mets Kznut, from 1830-1922 Nerkin Gharanlugh, from 1926 Martuni, former rayon capital, named for first Soviet PM Myasnikian’s nom de guerre. It has various non-functioning industries and “Martuni” Rest House. Astvatsatsin church rebuilt in 1886; on the S edge of Martuni  left  of  the   Martuni-Geghhovit

   S from  Martuni  on  the  road  that,  in good weather in a sturdy car, leads to the Selim Caravansaray and Yeghegnadzor, one first reaches Geghhovit (till 1968 Verin Gharanlugh; founded in the 15^th c., but current residents from Alashkert in 1823). In the village is a S. Gevorg church.   The   small   modern    cement

road are cyclopean fort ruins above the modern cemetery.

Tukh Manuk shrine  just on the S end of town was erected by the local member of parliament, perhaps for electoral purposes. There is a small cyclopean fort on the hill above. In the middle of the village, a road descends SW and crosses the river. Turning left at the first opportunity after the river, you reach a hilltop just S of the village with walls of an Iron Age fort (best seen at S end) excavated in 1997 by an Armenian-Italian team. Supposedly the medieval Alberd fort, mentioned in connection with a 9^th c. Byzantine military campaign, is here as well, with a shrine of S. Mamas. About 4 km S of Geghhovit, on a hill E of the road where the Martuni and Dashtidzor rivers come together, is a Berdi Glukh cyclopean fort.