Vorotnaberd was destroyed multiple times by foreign invasions. In 1104 (possibly in 1219 as well)
Seljuk-Turks attacked the fortress and the nearby monastery of
Vorotnavank northwest. Ivane Zakaryan liberated the structures from enemy hands and gave control of Vorotnavank and Vorotnaberd to Liparit Orbelian of the
Orbelyan family. Repairs were made to the nearby monastery during this time to make it functional once again. Other foreign invasions included the
Mongol-Tatars (in 1236?) and later
Timur Lenk in 1386 where his army lay siege to the fortress. An underground passageway connected to Vorotnavank and the Vorotan River was used during
sieges by invading armies. In 1724
Davit Bek took control of Vorotnaberd from Melik Baghri. This incident led people living in the region to call the fortress by the name "Davit Bek's Castle". == Architecture ==