Sanahin Bridge
Sanahin Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°5′56.4″N 44°39′27.2″E / 41.099000°N 44.657556°E |
| Crosses | Debed River |
| Locale | Alaverdi, Lori Province, Armenia |
| Maintained by | Armenian Ministry of Culture |
| Heritage status | |
| Official name | Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv |
| Designated | 1996, 2000 (20th and 24th sessions) |
| Reference no. | 777-003 |
| Region | Western Asia |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Basalt |
| Longest span | 18.6 m (61 ft) |
| No. of spans | 1 |
| Clearance below | 13.5 m (44 ft) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Queen Vaneni Zakarian |
| Construction start | 1192 |
| Rebuilt | 1888, 1928–29, 1939–40, 1955, 1976–77 |
| Location | |
The Sanahin Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge spanning the Debed River in Alaverdi in the northern Armenian province of Lori. Built in the late 12th century, it is considered one of the most remarkable bridges of medieval Armenia. Though largely intact, it has undergone multiple restorations since the late 19th century. Until the 1960s, the bridge was used for motor transport, but it has since been converted into a pedestrian-only walkway.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Sanahin Monastery, to which it has close links, and the nearby Haghpat Monastery. A historic landmark of Lori and a symbol of Alaverdi, it is featured on the town's coat of arms. Locally, it is often referred to as simply "The Stone Bridge".