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47-709: Julfa is separated by the Aras River from its namesake, the town of Jolfa on the Iranian side of the border . The two towns are linked by a road bridge and a railway bridge. Both the absolute minimum temperature (−33 °C or −27.4 °F) and the absolute maximum temperature (46 °C or 114.8 °F) were observed in Julfa (and also in Ordubad ). The city is known as Jugha ( Armenian : Ջուղա ) in Armenian. The modern-day town of Julfa

94-759: A Turkish non-governmental organization for nature conservation, in the Aras Valley at the village Yukarı Çıyrıklı, in the Tuzluca district of Iğdır Province , Turkey. It is one of Turkey's two bird-ringing stations that remain active yearly. Between 2006 and 2021, more than 145,000 birds of 201 species were ringed, and 306 bird species were observed at this station. Sixty-three percent of the 489 bird species found in Turkey are recorded at this wetland, making it eastern Turkey's most species-rich wetland for birds. The number of ringed and observed 306 bird species comprises 90 percent of

141-579: A fortress, and several Armenian churches. The most notable remnant from old Julfa was the town's huge Armenian cemetery, located to the west of the ruined city, on three low hills divided by small valleys. It contained the largest surviving collection of Armenian khachkar tombstones, most dating to the 15th and 16th centuries. One of the earliest references to the site is that of the French Jesuit missionary Alexander de Rhodes , who wrote that during his visit in 1648 he saw over ten thousand tombstones. However,

188-711: A garrison and post office. The town became part of the Armenian oblast from 1840 to 1847, and then part of the Erivan Governorate of the Russian Empire between 1847 and 1917. According to the Russian Empire Census in 1897 Julfa was a village with a population of 763, of which 751 were Armenians . Following the Russian Revolution , between 1918 and 1920 Julfa was the subject of a territorial dispute between

235-400: A large number of the stones were destroyed during the construction of the railway line to Julfa early in the 20th century. In the 1970s, according to Argam Aivazian 's investigations at the cemetery from 1971 to 1973, there were, either upright or fallen, 462 khachkars on the first cemetery hill, 1,672 khachkars on the second, and 573 on the third. In addition to these khachkars, there were in

282-577: A new location three kilometres to the east of the historical town, at the point where the Alinja River flows into the Aras . Following the Russo-Persian War of 1826–28 and the resulting Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828, the village of Julfa became the official border crossing between Persia and Russia as the former was forced to cede its last remaining Caucasian territories, containing state customs services,

329-696: Is Araz . In Persian , Kurdish and Turkish its name is ارس ( Aras ). The Aras is supported by the Kocagün stream, Dallı stream and Orman stream from the Bingöl Mountains on the borders of Varto district merge with it around the Kırıkhan village of Tekman district. It is surrounded by the Aras Mountains from the south. The Aras meets the Akhuryan River southeast of Digor . From Digor it flows along

376-451: Is located a few kilometers east of the ruins of the historical settlement of Julfa/Jugha, which are situated on a rocky strip of land in between the left bank of the Aras and a steep mountain range. The medieval Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi wrote that Julfa was founded by the king of Armenia , Tigranes , using prisoners he took after defeating the Median king Astyages ( Azhdahak in

423-513: Is one of the longest rivers in the Caucasus. In classical antiquity, the river was known to the Greeks as Araxes ( Greek : Ἀράξης ). Its modern Armenian name is Arax or Araks ( Armenian : Արաքս ). Historically, it was called Eraskh ( Old Armenian : Երասխ , Yeraskh in modern pronunciation) by Armenians and its Old Georgian name is Rakhsi ( რახსი ). In Azerbaijani , the river's name

470-667: The Araks , Arax , Araxes , or Araz ) is a river in the Caucasus . It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along the borders between Turkey and Armenia , between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan , between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, finally, through Azerbaijan where it flows into the Kura river . It drains the south side of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, while

517-885: The Armenia–Turkey border , then runs close to the corridor that connects Turkey to Azerbaijan 's Nakhchivan exclave, and continues along the Iranian-Armenian and the Iranian-Azerbaijani border. The Aras is fed by several major tributaries, including the Arpa Çayı (also known as the Akhuryan), which gathers the waters from the Kars River and Lake Çıldır located in Turkey, the Hrazdan River , which empties into Lake Sevan in Armenia, and

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564-591: The Arpa Çayı (also known as the Akhuryan), which gathers the waters from the Kars River and Lake Çıldır located in Turkey, the Hrazdan River , which empties into Lake Sevan in Armenia, and the Qareh Sū, originating from the Sabalān Mountains in northeastern Iranian Azerbaijan. The lowest point in Armenia is a point along the Aras at an elevation of 380 metres (1,250 ft). The following rivers are tributaries of

611-663: The Caspian Sea , but spread out in plains and created a lake without outflow. In Islamic times, the Araxes became known in Arabic parlance as al-Rass (not to be confused with modern-day Ar Rass ) and in Perso-Turkish contexts as Aras . In modern history, the Aras gained significance as a geographic political boundary. Under the terms of the Treaty of Gulistan and the Treaty of Turkmenchay ,

658-582: The Meghri Dam near the Armenian town of Meghri . In 2006, a bird research and education center was established by KuzeyDoğa , a Turkish non-governmental organization for nature conservation, in the Aras Valley at the village Yukarı Çıyrıklı, in the Tuzluca district of Iğdır Province , Turkey. It is one of Turkey's two bird-ringing stations that remain active yearly. Between 2006 and 2021, more than 145,000 birds of 201 species were ringed, and 306 bird species were observed at this station. Sixty-three percent of

705-535: The Ministry of Forest and Water Management to drop the Tuzluca Dam project, which would destroy the wetland harboring bird wildlife in the Aras Valley. In 2013, the ministry granted the site the highest level of conservation status (Nature Conservation Area). Aras (river) The Aras (also known as the Araks , Arax , Araxes , or Araz ) is a river in the Caucasus . It rises in eastern Turkey and flows along

752-720: The Republic of Armenia and the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic . As a result of the Treaty of Kars , it became part of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic under the Azerbaijan SSR . The Persian Corridor ran through Julfa during World War II , bringing supplies from other Allied nations into the Soviet Union . During the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over

799-529: The raptor Shikra , or Little Banded Goshawk ( Accipiter badius ), which was new to Turkey's avifauna. A Biology professor at the University of Utah and a president of the KuzeyDoğa Society, Çağan Şekercioğlu, appealed to the Ministry of Forest and Water Management to drop the Tuzluca Dam project, which would destroy the wetland harboring bird wildlife in the Aras Valley. In 2013, the ministry granted

846-431: The 17th century made a deep and lasting impression on Armenian society and culture. During the 19th century, poets such Hovhannes Tumanyan and historians such as Ghevond Alishan produced works based on the event. The emotions raised as a result of the destruction of the graveyard in 2006 indicates that the fate of Julfa still resonates within contemporary Armenian society. Aras (river) The Aras (also known as

893-482: The 340 bird species in Iğdır Province, the most bird species rich landlocked province of Turkey. Seven new bird species were observed during the bird ringing activities in 2012 alone, including the raptor Shikra , or Little Banded Goshawk ( Accipiter badius ), which was new to Turkey's avifauna. A Biology professor at the University of Utah and a president of the KuzeyDoğa Society, Çağan Şekercioğlu, appealed to

940-405: The 489 bird species found in Turkey are recorded at this wetland, making it eastern Turkey's most species-rich wetland for birds. The number of ringed and observed 306 bird species comprises 90 percent of the 340 bird species in Iğdır Province, the most bird species rich landlocked province of Turkey. Seven new bird species were observed during the bird ringing activities in 2012 alone, including

987-755: The Aras Reservoir. In 1999–2008, Iran built the Khoda Afarin Dam near the historic Khudafarin Bridges , creating the Khoda Afarin Reservoir , and the Giz Galasi Dam 12 km down the river, creating the Giz Galasi Reservoir . Iran and Armenia are planning to build the Meghri Dam near the Armenian town of Meghri . In 2006, a bird research and education center was established by KuzeyDoğa ,

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1034-407: The Aras gained significance as a geographic political boundary. Under the terms of the Treaty of Gulistan and the Treaty of Turkmenchay , the river was chosen as the border limit between the Russian Empire and Qajar Iran , as the latter was forced to cede its Caucasian territories to Russia. Because of these 19th-century border changes, one modern, not widely accepted scheme draws Aras River as

1081-508: The Aras, from source to mouth: In Armenian tradition, the river is named after Arast , a great-grandson of the legendary Armenian patriarch Haik . The name was later Hellenized to Araxes and was applied to the Kura–Araxes culture , a prehistoric people who flourished in the valleys of the Kura and Aras. The river is also mentioned in the last chapter of Virgil's Aeneid VIII, as "angry at

1128-412: The Armenian tradition). The 18th-century Armenian Catholicos Lazar I wrote that some of the inhabitants of the medieval Armenian capital of Ani migrated to Julfa after the former's destruction, leading to the misconception that Julfa was founded after the destruction of Ani. Existing as a village in the early Middle Ages , it grew into a town between the 10th and 13th centuries, with a population that

1175-509: The Council of Europe (PACE) inspectors for August 29 - September 6, 2007, led by British MP Edward O'Hara. As well as Nakhchivan, the delegation would visit Baku, Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Nagorno Karabakh. The inspectors planned to visit Nagorno Karabakh via Armenia, and had arranged transport to facilitate this. However, on August 28, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE released a demand that

1222-550: The European Parliament from inspecting and examining the ancient site, stating that by passing the previously mentioned resolution the Parliament had committed a hostile act against Azerbaijan. The Institute for War and Peace Reporting reported on April 19, 2006, that "there is nothing left of the celebrated stone crosses of Jugha." After several more postponed visits, a renewed attempt was planned by Parliamentary Assembly of

1269-485: The Kura drains the north side of the Lesser Caucasus. The river's total length is 1,072 km (666 mi) and its watershed covers an area of 102,000 km (39,000 sq mi). The Aras is one of the longest rivers in the Caucasus. In classical antiquity, the river was known to the Greeks as Araxes ( Greek : Ἀράξης ). Its modern Armenian name is Arax or Araks ( Armenian : Արաքս ). Historically, it

1316-442: The Kırıkhan village of Tekman district. It is surrounded by the Aras Mountains from the south. The Aras meets the Akhuryan River southeast of Digor . From Digor it flows along the Armenia–Turkey border , then runs close to the corridor that connects Turkey to Azerbaijan 's Nakhchivan exclave, and continues along the Iranian-Armenian and the Iranian-Azerbaijani border. The Aras is fed by several major tributaries, including

1363-402: The Qareh Sū, originating from the Sabalān Mountains in northeastern Iranian Azerbaijan. The lowest point in Armenia is a point along the Aras at an elevation of 380 metres (1,250 ft). The following rivers are tributaries of the Aras, from source to mouth: In Armenian tradition, the river is named after Arast , a great-grandson of the legendary Armenian patriarch Haik . The name

1410-489: The borders between Turkey and Armenia , between Turkey and the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan , between Iran and both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and, finally, through Azerbaijan where it flows into the Kura river . It drains the south side of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, while the Kura drains the north side of the Lesser Caucasus. The river's total length is 1,072 km (666 mi) and its watershed covers an area of 102,000 km (39,000 sq mi). The Aras

1457-514: The bridge," since the Romans built a bridge over it so that it is thereby conquered. The river Aras has been associated with the biblical rivers Gihon and Pishon . Robert H. Hewsen described Aras as the only "true river" of Armenia and as "Mother Araxes," a symbol of pride to the Armenian people. According to a legend cited by Strabo , in ancient times, the Araxes river in Armenia had no outflow to

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1504-430: The edict stated that they had three days to leave or face being massacred. Another eyewitness, Augustus Badjetsi , Bishop of Nakhijevan, wrote: [The Persians entered the Armenian villages] like thunder from the sky... We left houses full of goods, the herds in the fields ... the entire population was turned out of their land ... how many were pushed out at the point of swords and spears ... their moans and groans reaching

1551-550: The inspectors must enter Nagorno Karabakh via Azerbaijan. On August 29, PACE Secretary General Mateo Sorinas announced that the visit had to be cancelled because of the difficulty in accessing Nagorno Karabagh using the route required by Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Armenia issued a statement saying that Azerbaijan had stopped the visit "due solely to their intent to veil the demolition of Armenian monuments in Nakhijevan". The sudden and dramatic downfall of Old Julfa in

1598-503: The line of continental demarcation between Europe and Asia. In 1963–1970, Iran and the Soviet Union built the Aras Dam near the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan , creating the Aras Reservoir. In 1999–2008, Iran built the Khoda Afarin Dam near the historic Khudafarin Bridges , creating the Khoda Afarin Reservoir , and the Giz Galasi Dam 12 km down the river, creating the Giz Galasi Reservoir . Iran and Armenia are planning to build

1645-629: The modern-day centre of the Iranian Armenian population in Iran. In 1606, the second deportation was made of inhabitants that had escaped the first deportation. In the 17th century, a small settlement was founded amid the ruins of the destroyed town, which, in 1747, became part of the Iranian Nakhchivan Khanate within Qajar Iran . At the start of the 19th century, this settlement moved to

1692-477: The only "true river" of Armenia and as "Mother Araxes," a symbol of pride to the Armenian people. According to a legend cited by Strabo , in ancient times, the Araxes river in Armenia had no outflow to the Caspian Sea , but spread out in plains and created a lake without outflow. In Islamic times, the Araxes became known in Arabic parlance as al-Rass (not to be confused with modern-day Ar Rass ) and in Perso-Turkish contexts as Aras . In modern history,

1739-444: The river was chosen as the border limit between the Russian Empire and Qajar Iran , as the latter was forced to cede its Caucasian territories to Russia. Because of these 19th-century border changes, one modern, not widely accepted scheme draws Aras River as the line of continental demarcation between Europe and Asia. In 1963–1970, Iran and the Soviet Union built the Aras Dam near the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan , creating

1786-414: The same cemetery more than a thousand ram-shaped, gabled, or flat tombstones. An additional 250 khachkars were counted in the cemetery of the nearby Amenaprkich monastery and in other parts of the city site. The number of khachkars and ram-shaped tombstones buried in the earth or in fragments, in the main cemetery and elsewhere, was estimated to be more than 1,400. Between 1998 and 2006 the entire cemetery

1833-770: The site. The European Parliament formally called on Azerbaijan to stop the demolition as a breach of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. According to its resolution regarding cultural monuments in the South Caucasus , the European Parliament "condemns strongly the destruction of the Julfa cemetery as well as the destruction of all sites of historical importance that has taken place on Armenian or Azerbaijani territory, and condemns any such action that seeks to destroy cultural heritage." In 2006, Azerbaijan barred

1880-450: The skies. About three thousand families were deported from Julfa, and many drowned while attempting to cross the Aras. After the deportation was completed, the town was destroyed by fire to prevent the inhabitants from returning. The deportees were taken to an area near Esfahan in Persia (now Iran ), where a new town, New Julfa , was established. New Julfa is now a district of Esfahan and is

1927-459: The status of Nagorno-Karabakh from 1988 to 1994, the remaining Armenian population (which had been slowly declining due to emigration during the Soviet era) was either evacuated or was forcibly deported to Armenia. At the beginning of the 20th century, the remains of the medieval settlement included a massive ruined bridge, two large caravanserais (one on the Iranian side of the border), the walls of

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1974-559: The town in 1600 estimated its population to be about 10,000 people. Unlike other Armenian cities, Julfa does not seem to have experienced significant hardship before its destruction and the deportation of its population in 1605. In 1603, during the Ottoman-Safavid War (1603–1618) , Shah Abbas I of Persia retook Julfa from the Ottoman Empire and was seen as a liberator by its Armenian population. However, Abbas had realized that he

2021-522: Was almost entirely Armenian . For a time, Julfa was one of the most important settlements in medieval Armenia. It became prosperous in the 15th and 16th centuries due to the role it played in international trade, as it was located along the ancient trade routes from Persia , the Middle East, South-East Asia, India, to Russia, the Mediterranean , and North-West Europe. An English preacher who passed through

2068-425: Was called Eraskh ( Old Armenian : Երասխ , Yeraskh in modern pronunciation) by Armenians and its Old Georgian name is Rakhsi ( რახსი ). In Azerbaijani , the river's name is Araz . In Persian , Kurdish and Turkish its name is ارس ( Aras ). The Aras is supported by the Kocagün stream, Dallı stream and Orman stream from the Bingöl Mountains on the borders of Varto district merge with it around

2115-436: Was destroyed. The various stages of the destruction process were documented by photographic and video evidence taken from the Iranian side of the border. However, the government and state officials of Azerbaijan have denied that any destruction has taken place, stating that "an Armenian cemetery never existed on the site and that Armenians have never lived in Julfa". Azerbaijan has, to date, refused to allow investigators access to

2162-447: Was later Hellenized to Araxes and was applied to the Kura–Araxes culture , a prehistoric people who flourished in the valleys of the Kura and Aras. The river is also mentioned in the last chapter of Virgil's Aeneid VIII, as "angry at the bridge," since the Romans built a bridge over it so that it is thereby conquered. The river Aras has been associated with the biblical rivers Gihon and Pishon . Robert H. Hewsen described Aras as

2209-599: Was unable to defend the territory along the Aras River from incursions by the Ottomans. His solution was to evacuate the region, undertaking a scorched earth policy to prevent its wealth and population falling into Ottoman hands. In October 1605, the Shah issued an edict declaring that the entire population of Julfa must leave their homes and move deep into the Persian Empire . According to 17th-century chronicler Arakel of Tabriz ,

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