Entry to Artashat reserve may no longer need permit

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s National Security Service has submitted for public discussion a draft amendment to a 2011 government decision that would introduce new access rules for the Artashat Capital historical and cultural reserve.

The proposal aims to allow visitors to enter the border zone where the reserve is located—adjacent to the Armenia–Turkey state border—without requiring special entry permits or identity documents, reports Factor.am .

Currently, entry to the reserve is restricted and only allowed with official passes, due to its location in a border zone. The justification for the change highlights that the permit process is time-consuming and administratively burdensome, negatively affecting visits for scientific, cultural, and tourist purposes.

This has led to a decline in visitor numbers and complicated the organization of excursions, particularly for schools, universities, and international delegations. As a result, many tour operators avoid including the site in their itineraries, despite its significance.

Artashat, founded by King Artashes I in the 2nd century BCE and historically described as a royal residence and a “great and beautiful city,” was a major center of craftsmanship, trade, and Hellenistic-Armenian culture. The proposal seeks to improve access to this culturally vital location while still maintaining border security protocols.