For centuries, the Selim Pass served as a vital link of the Great Silk Road, connecting the bustling markets of Vayots Dzor and Gegharkunik. Along its winding mountain trails, long caravans of camels once moved slowly, loaded with silks, spices and other precious goods bound for the West. Exhausted travelers and their animals desperately needed rest and in 1332 Prince Chesar Orbelyan ordered the construction of a spacious caravanserai at the top of the pass.
This massive structure, designed as a three-nave hall, still impresses with the austerity and practicality of its plan. Narrow roof openings let in faint streams of light, creating an atmosphere of mysterious twilight while ensuring the safety of those inside. Its thick stone walls offered merchants protection from cold winds, harsh weather and possible attacks. Even today, one can almost hear within its arches the echoes of lively conversations, the clink of coins and the steady steps of camels.
The Selim Caravanserai was more than a shelter – it was a witness to thousands of stories of distant journeys and trade routes linking East and West. Today it still welcomes visitors as a living reminder of the times when the pulse of world commerce passed through this mountain pass.