Kapan was also called Khaban, Khapan. As a dwelling it existed since the early medieval and first it was mentioned since the 5th century. The fortress-town was situated in Zork or Kapan province of Mets Haik of Syunik country. “Kapan” means canyon, mountain-pass. And the place had this name because of its numerous valleys and mountains. The medieval Kapan was situated 14-15 km north-west of the present Kapan. The Syunyats narrator Stepanos Orbelyan (13th century) gives us detailed information about Kapan. It testifies that in the end of the 9th century Kapan belonged to the Syunyats royal family of Dzagikyans. It was rebuilt and fenced by Prince Dzagik, the son of Djvanshi Sysakyan. In 997 when the Syunyats kingdom was formed Kapan became one of the major centers. Later the capital of the kingdom was removed from Shagat to Kapan. In the period of its development (11 century) the town had about 15-20 thousand population. Besides the Armenian people Judas lived there. They had their special block. When the kingdom was weakened Kapan was attacked by Seljuks. In 1103 they destroyed the town. Later the capital of the Kingdom was removed to Baghaberd. It should be mentioned that the Syunyats kingdom was also called after the name of the capital Kapan. In the 18th century a liberty fight took place in Artsakh and Syunik. Kapan was the center for liberation movement in Syunik.

    In 1722-30 Kapan (Halidzor fortress) became the center of the liberation movement held by David-Bek. Later it became the center of its principality. In October 13, 1813 according to the Gjulistan agreement Kapan with the other main regions of Syunik goes under the domination of the Russian empire. Later together with Karabagh it was included in the state of Elizavetpol. In 1918-20 Kapan was again the center of liberty movement.

   This time it was the main center where Garegin Ndjdeh led his activities. After the establishment of Soviet rules in September 9, 1930 in the result of the decision of Armenian Soviet Socialistic Republic (ASSR) supreme council the region of Kapan was formed with the administrative center of Kapan. The region included Kapan and Kadjaran with their villages. Kapan was the first to react to the Artsakh movement. Here the demonstrations and meeting were organized. Kapan suffered much during the war in 1992-1993. It was bombed by Azerbaijanian warfare planes. In December 4, 1995 a new administrative division took place in Armenian. Syunik marz was formed with the center of Kapan.

    The fortresses Vahanavank and Halidzor are situated in Kapan.