SEARCH SYSTEM OF THE ARMENIAN HIGHLAND MONUMENTS

Akn Monuments

Turkey (Country) / Erzrum (Province) / Akn (District) / Akn (City)

Fire
1896 y․

Another record reports what took place in the town of Akn on 3 September 1896: “The attack was launched from a place called Ver Tagh (i.e. Upper Quarter - translator). Everywhere the air was pierced with infernal cries and screams; the harowing voices and the wails of those put to sword upset even the most hard-hearted, making everybody weep. The scene, however, was not confined to this—the flames of the houses which had been robbed of their wealth and splendeur by means of highly inflammable substances stifled all these voices. The fire gradually abated; the voices faded away and a deadly silence came to reign over the ruins of that beautiful quarter—a silence which was broken only by the screams of the ruthless savage mob and its cheerful cries. Hundreds of men and women, daughters-in-law and youths were buried beneath those ruins. If any of them even managed to escape the flames of the fire, they were sure to be killed under the blows of whips and axes. Eventually, within several hours, the Upper Quarter was levelled with the ground with its 800 houses and all its inhabitants.”