 Dastakert was first mentioned by the historian Stephen Orbelian as a small village, in his 12th-century work History of the Province of Syunik.According to Orbelian, Dastakert was founded as a summer resort for the monks of the nearby Tatev monastery.Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Syunik along with the rest of the historic territories of Armenia suffered from the Seljuk, Mongol, Aq Qoyunlu and Kara Koyunlu invasions, respectively.