Karabakh historians have reported vandalism in 17th-century monasteries

A video of destruction inside the Yerits Mankants Monastery has been published on Azerbaijani social media. Satellite images also show the destruction of the Holy Savior Monastery, both dating back to the 17th century. Historians have called on the international community to respond to the destruction of Armenian monuments in Karabakh.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," in October 2024, the former chairman of the Nagorno-Karabakh Tourism and Culture Development Agency, Sergey Shahverdyan, reported that Azerbaijani authorities had destroyed historic neighborhoods of Stepanakert along Tumanyan Street. Refugees from Karabakh  stated that  the purpose of the demolition was to deprive people of the opportunity to return to their homes. In November,  new instances of building destruction in the city were reported , and in September 2025, Azerbaijan reported the demolition of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. According to Karabakh activists, Azerbaijani authorities  removed  monuments to cultural figures, participants in World War II, as well as Bolsheviks and revolutionaries from Khankendi .

The State Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment of Nagorno-Karabakh announced the desecration of the 17th-century Yerits Mankants Monastery, citing video footage posted on social media by Azerbaijani users. 

"The monastery is an outstanding example of late medieval architecture. The church models installed on the altar and the khachkar (cross-stone) leaning against the Holy Altar have disappeared. The lower part of the artistically carved khachkar, which lies on the ground, is broken. The sculpture, placed in the right wall niche, lies face down," the service said.

The publication includes photographs of the monastery and footage from an Azerbaijani video that shows the destruction and damage. 

Azerbaijani social media and media regularly report destruction, vandalism, or distortion of Armenian monuments and symbols, according to the Office of the Cultural Heritage Ombudsman of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh's self-designation) in Yerevan. Some of these incidents are documented by the office's representatives through monitoring satellite imagery.  

"Recently, damage was recorded to the 17th-century Holy Savior Monastery in the village of Tonashen in the Martakert district. Cross stones, cemeteries, and settlements are also being destroyed. A video filmed by the Azerbaijani side in the village of Patara in the Askeran district also appeared on social media, presenting Armenian khachkars (cross stones) as monuments of 'Albanian origin.' This is a systematic appropriation of historical and cultural heritage and a falsification of cultural identity," the office told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. 

The Nagorno-Karabakh Cultural Heritage Ombudsman's Office has identified over 800 cases of vandalism. According to their data, approximately 30 monasteries and churches have been destroyed, desecrated, and looted, and ten settlements have been completely or partially destroyed. Caucasus Heritage Watch, through satellite monitoring, has documented the destruction of 14 major Armenian religious and cultural heritage sites by Azerbaijan, according to the Geghard Foundation. 

In Nagorno-Karabakh, 5,658 Armenian historical monuments have been officially registered, including 385 churches, 60 monastery complexes, 2,835 khachkars (cross stones) and 400 cemeteries formed before the 19th century, reported the head of the Diocesan Council of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, former Minister of Culture of Nagorno-Karabakh Lernik Hovhannisyan .  

"Today, as is known from materials available on Azerbaijani social media and media, as well as satellite imagery, Azerbaijanis are destroying, completely demolishing, desecrating, or appropriating religious sites, symbols, historical monuments, and settlements with centuries-old histories. The Armenian cultural heritage of Artsakh is at risk of destruction. Azerbaijan disregards any international conventions, including UNESCO conventions. Relevant Armenian and international organizations must demand an end to the destruction and falsification of Artsakh's Armenian heritage," Hovhannisyan told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. 

Ovik Avanesov, a researcher at the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, called the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities “a systemic state policy aimed at destroying Armenian cultural heritage.”

"Monasteries are being destroyed, khachkars are disappearing, inscriptions are being distorted, and historical landscapes are being falsified by the state. A cultural genocide is underway, aimed at erasing centuries-old Armenian presence and cementing territorial claims through the destruction of cultural evidence. This is a gross violation of UNESCO conventions and international standards for heritage protection. The international community is obligated to respond, otherwise this unique part of human cultural history could be irrevocably lost," Avanesov told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.