Artsakh’s Christian Cultural Erasure: Azerbaijan’s Systematic Destruction Continues

In the aftermath of Azerbaijan's occupation of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), reports continue to emerge detailing the systematic destruction of Armenian cultural and historical heritage. This ongoing campaign, which targets ancient churches, monuments, and entire settlements, has raised serious concerns among international observers and human rights organizations. The deliberate nature of these actions suggests an effort not only to erase Armenian history in the region but also to eliminate material evidence of its presence.

Since the complete occupation of Artsakh, Azerbaijan has launched an extensive effort to erase traces of Armenian culture. Historical churches, khachkars (cross-stones), cemeteries, and cultural centers have been systematically destroyed or defaced. These actions violate international laws, including UNESCO conventions that prohibit the intentional destruction of cultural heritage.

Among the most significant losses is the Surb Amenaprkich (Church of the Savior) in Krkzhan, which has been targeted by Azerbaijani propaganda. The Surb Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi, a major Armenian religious site, has undergone so-called "restorations" that have stripped it of its Armenian character. Similarly, the Kanach Zham Church in Shushi has been reduced to rubble. These demolitions are not incidental damages of war but deliberate attempts to erase Armenian religious and cultural identity from the region.

The destruction extends beyond religious sites. Entire villages, including Karintak and Tsamdzor, have been wiped off the map. In Stepanakert, the Artsakh Government Building was demolished, eliminating a key symbol of Armenian governance. The former Artsakh State University building is being defaced under the guise of constructing a new Azerbaijani institution.

Azerbaijan has also targeted Armenian cultural centers, repurposing them for military objectives. Community centers, schools, and theaters have been either demolished or altered beyond recognition. The destruction of the Stepanakert Palace of Culture and Youth is one such example of Azerbaijan's policy of erasing Armenian institutions.

Azerbaijan’s campaign extends beyond physical destruction. Armenian cultural artifacts, such as carpets with unique Armenian designs, are being falsely presented as Azerbaijani at international exhibitions. At a recent event in Warsaw, historical Armenian churches of Artsakh were labeled as Albanian, an attempt to rewrite history and distort Armenian heritage.

In Berdzor (Lachin), Azerbaijan has initiated a policy of Islamization, building mosques on sites where Armenian churches once stood. This effort aims to replace Artsakh’s centuries-old Armenian Christian identity with a new Azerbaijani narrative.

The destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh is not just an attack on history but a form of cultural genocide. By systematically erasing Armenian historical sites, Azerbaijan is attempting to rewrite Artsakh’s past and sever its ties to the Armenian people.

Despite overwhelming evidence, the international response has been slow. While some human rights organizations and cultural preservation groups have raised alarms, there has been little concrete action to hold Azerbaijan accountable. The destruction continues daily, with new reports emerging of Armenian cultural sites being targeted.

The international community must take a firm stand to prevent further destruction. UNESCO and other cultural protection organizations must demand immediate access to the region to assess the damage and prevent further violations. Governments and human rights groups must push for sanctions against Azerbaijan for its continued breaches of international law.

Preserving Artsakh’s Armenian heritage is not only crucial for regional history but also for global cultural diversity. Allowing Azerbaijan’s actions to continue unchecked sets a dangerous precedent that could encourage similar erasures of cultural identity in other conflicts worldwide.

The ongoing destruction of Artsakh's cultural heritage must not be ignored. Without decisive action, an irreplaceable part of Armenian history—and world heritage—could be lost forever.

List of Christian Armenian cultural heritage sites ruined in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) following Azerbaijan’s occupation: (This list is from March 2024 - 2025)

• The Church of the Savior (Surb Amenaprkich) in Krkzhan: Targeted by Azerbaijani Propaganda

• The Getavan monument in the target of Azerbaijani vandalism

• The “restoration” of Shushi’s Realni School

• Azerbaijan continues the “restoration” of the Surb Ghazanchetsots (Holy All Savior) Cathedral in Shushi

• Azerbaijan demolished the Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich (Kanach Zham) Church of Shushi, reducing it to rubble

• Complete destruction of the village of Karintak by Azerbaijan

• Azerbaijan destroyed the Old Ghazanchetsots cemetery in the city of Shushi

• Azerbaijan obliterated the Surb Hambardzum Church of Berdzor

• The Aghavno church under threat of destruction

• Azerbaijanis desecrated the memorial complex dedicated to the fallen freedom fighters of Berdadzor

• Under the pretext of establishing a “new university” for Azerbaijan, the building of Artsakh State University is being demolished and defaced

• Azerbaijan’s Policy of Islamization in Artsakh

• Replicas of Artsakh’s Armenian carpets featuring unique ornaments are being presented in Latvia as symbols of Azerbaijan’s “genetic code” and historical memory

• At an international exhibition organized in Warsaw, the historical Armenian churches of Artsakh are presented as Albanian

• This time, Azerbaijan destroyed a spring memorial monument that was built near the Khachatur Abovyan School in Shushi

• Regarding the Azerbaijani “reconstruction” of Stepanakert

• In Shushi, the khachkars in the Tank Monument area were destroyed

• Azerbaijan has commenced the transformation of Freedom Fighters Avenue in Stepanakert

• Azerbaijan is targeting the monuments of Vank village

• The "Great and Small Syuniks" monument, which came under Azerbaijani control, has been destroyed

• The Mokhrenes village has been the target of Azerbaijani attacks

• State-Led Initiative Aimed at Assimilating and Appropriating Armenian Culture in Lachin (Berdzor)

• Regarding the construction of a mosque in Berdzor

• The Policy of Expanding Virtual Mosques in Occupied Artsakh

• The Azerbaijani museum, mosque and square in Shushi, situated on the territory of the destroyed monument of the Armenian Genocide

• The Church of the Holy All Saviour in Shushi has been defaced and desecrated

• The Destruction of Stepanakert’s Historic District

• Vandalism of the ‘We Are Our Mountains’ Monument

• The Stepanakert Memorial Complex Under Threat

• Azerbaijan destroyed the church of Tandzatap

• Azerbaijan has desecrated the tombstones of the Stepanakert memorial

• Monument to the Victims of the Patriotic War destroyed in the village of Haterk, Artsakh

• The tabernacle of Tsitsernavank had been damaged and desecrated

• One of the apartments in the village of Shosh is presented as a mosque on Google Maps

• In the temporarily occupied Artsakh, the Azerbaijani state administration is destroying entire settlements and residential neighborhoods in parallel with the eradication of Armenian cultural and historical heritage

• The Azerbaijani regime has demolished the bust of Vahram Papazyan erected in the courtyard of the Stepanakert State Theater

• The village of Khtsaberd in the Hadrut region has become another victim of Azerbaijan's state genocidal policy. In particular, satellite photos clearly show extensive destruction

• In temporarily occupied Artsakh, the fascist regime of Azerbaijan continues to destroy historical and architectural monuments of pan-Christian significance, Amboj settlements and residential districts. The next target of this policy was the village of Mariamadzor in the Hadrut region of the Republic of Artsakh

• Azerbaijan completely destroyed the village of Tsamdzor in the Hadrut region of the Republic of Artsakh

• Stepanakert Palace of Culture and Youth is the next target of Azerbaijani state vandalism

• The village of Taghut-Taghut in the Hadrut region has been almost completely destroyed

• Ilham Aliyev walks through a city that has almost become a ruin, clearly showing the true picture of Baku's cultural genocide. In Stepanakert, a "Victory Park" and a mosque are being built on the site of completely destroyed residential districts, aiming to erase the city's Armenian past and create a false Azerbaijani presence in its place.

• Askeran Fortress will lose its historical and architectural appearance

• Azerbaijan Demolishes Artsakh Government Building in Stepanakert: Erasure of Armenian Identity Continues

• The destruction of settlements is carried out on the direct orders of the highest state leadership

  
  

Our previous list is here.

Information provided by: Ombudsman for Cultural Heritage of the Armenian Highlands Hovik Avanesov