 Karmir Blur "Red Hill" | |
  Shown within Armenia | |
| Alternative name | Karmir Blur |
|---|---|
| Location | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Coordinates | 40°09′14″N 44°27′12″E / 40.153888°N 44.453366°E |
| Type | city, palace, and citadel |
| Area | 44.5 ha (110 acres) |
| Height | 901 metres (2,955 ft) |
| History | |
| Builder | Rusa II |
| Founded | Between 650 and 600 BC |
| Abandoned | 585 BC |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1939-? |
| Condition | Ruins (portions of walls remain) |
| Public access | Yes |
| Website | Erebuni Historical & Archaeological Reserve: Teishebaini Citadel |
Teishebaini (also Teshebani, modern Karmir Blur (Armenian: Կարմիր Բլուր) referring more to the hill that the fortress is located upon) was the capital of the Transcaucasian provinces of the ancient kingdom of Urartu. It is located near the modern city of Yerevan in Armenia. The site was once a fortress and governmental centre with towered and buttressed perimeter walls, massive gates, a parade ground within its walls, and storage rooms that entirely occupied the ground floor. The site of the city, palace and citadel together measure over 0.45 km2 (110 acres).[1] The name Karmir Blur translates to "Red Hill" because of the hill's reddish hue. It became this color after the city was set on fire and the upper walls which were made of tuff fell and crumbled because of the heat. After the tuff was heated by the fire, it took on a more intense red color and therefore the hill became red. The lower portions of the walls were left standing after the fire since they were built with a stronger stone. Teishebaini is situated at a height of 901 metres (2,956 ft).[2]
- ^ Sir Banister Fletcher's a History of Architecture - Page 74 by Sir Banister Fletcher
- ^ Teishebaini Elevation and Position