KALBAJAR, Azerbaijan – A group of media representatives recently visited the Khudavang Monastery Complex in Azerbaijan’s Kalbajar district, revealing the challenges of preserving this globally significant monument following decades of occupation.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, during the media tour, journalists learned about the extensive damage inflicted on the Khudavang Temple between 1992 and 2020 due to Armenian aggression. The site underwent unauthorized restoration efforts backed by the Armenian Apostolic Church and financed by the Armenian government, which have now been scrutinized for altering and damaging the historic integrity of the complex. The visit follows a significant inspection by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva on September 2, underscoring the government’s commitment to restoring and protecting Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage.