The village of Karin Tak in Artsakh

The photograph was taken in 1920. It shows one of the ancient settlements of Artsakh, the village of Karin Tak. The village’s name literally means “under the stone,” because it lies at the foot of a huge rock.

The upper part of the frame is filled with steep rocky slopes, while below, in the gorge, the village’s traditional houses, a winding road and trees can be seen. The houses seem to merge with nature and the rocks. For centuries Karin Tak was a symbol of the impregnability and resilience of Artsakh.