Concerns Raised Over Preservation of Armenian Christian Sites in Nagorno-Karabakh

Following the September 2023 military offensive that led to the displacement of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, international attention has turned to the status of historic Christian sites in the region. Azerbaijan, which now maintains control over the territory, recently hosted international representatives on a tour of sites including the medieval monasteries of Gandzasar and Dadivank.

During the tour, Azerbaijani officials characterized these locations as monuments of ancient Caucasian Albanian Christianity, alleging that Armenian influence had altered the original character of the structures. Conversely, critics and historians point to extensive Armenian inscriptions and traditional cross-stones, known as khachkars, as evidence of the sites' long-standing Armenian identity. While Azerbaijani officials argue that the history of the region is being reclaimed, observers express concern that the government is attempting to erase the Armenian heritage of these sacred spaces by reinterpreting their historical record.