Albanian temple in Ashaghi Zaghali village

In the village of Ashagi Zaghali (Argush, - Argunkand) in Basarkechar district, located in Yeni Beyazid uezd of Iravan governate.

Basarkechar district since 11.06.1969 – Vardenis, Ashaghi Zaghali village since 12.08.1946 – Tsovak (Gollu)

Architecture

The remains of the Albanian temple in the village of Ashagi Zagali existed in the area until the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis by Armenians in 1987-1991.

The Albanian temple in the village of Ashagi Zaghali was located on a hilly area outside the village. A large number of cuneiform tablets were found in the small temple, which contains elements and examples of Albanian architecture. After the "Turkmenchay" treaty, a part of the Armenians who were transferred from Turkey and Iran in 1828-29 were also settled in the territory of Basarkechar region. Armenians were moved to Zaghali village after 1830s. The Armenians who moved here built a separate village near the village of Zaghali and named it Ashagi Zaghali to distinguish it from the village of Zaghali. Along with Armenians, Azerbaijanis lived here. In the years 1828-1832, Armenians from Iran and Turkey also settled and lived together with Azerbaijanis. They were removed at the beginning of the XX century.

The toponym was created by adding the suffix "li" to the word zaga, which means "cave" or "cavern" in the Azerbaijani language. The village was named "Zaghali" because it was built in a mountainous area, where there is a forest. It is a toponym based on relief. "Ashaghi" is a denotative word. It is a structurally complex toponym.