The city was located on the right bank of Akhurian River to the northeast of Ani, corresponding with the current village of Çetindurak of Akyaka district of Kars Province, within the Republic of Turkey.

The church of Surp Prkich (Holy Saviour) built in the 880s by king Smbat I of Armenia, was among the notable landmarks of the city.

As described by the 11th and 12th century historians Stepanos Asoghik and Samuel Anetsi, Shirakavan had a central fortress surrounded with thick defensive city walls.

Then in 1064, along with Ani, Shirakavan was destroyed by a large Seljuk Turkish army, headed by Sultan Alp Arslan.

After it was blown up by the Turks in 1954 during regular military training of the Turkish Army, only the western wall of the church survived.