Jraghachadzor Bridge

The Jraghatsadzor Bridge is located in the territory of Haghpat village and is one of the most beautiful monuments in Armenia. This bridge, connecting the two banks of the Shereqadzor River, was built in the 13th century. For about 800 years, it has linked Haghpat Monastery and the village with the Jraghatsadzor settlement, the Lasti Ayr cave complex, the Kayanberd Fortress, and from there to Sanahin Monastery. Despite its relatively small size, the bridge impresses with its elegance and is considered an attractive site for visitors.

Architectural Description

The Jraghatsadzor Bridge is a single-arch bridge and is primarily built of local unprocessed stone. The arch’s voussoirs and parapets are made of bluish hewn basalt, while the walking surface is paved with pinkish semi-processed felsite. The pillars rest on the cliffs of the river’s narrow section, which has allowed the bridge to withstand floods for centuries. A nearby famous bridge, founded by Queen Vaneni of Armenia, was constructed using a similar principle.

How to visit

The Jraghatsadzor Bridge is an important point for the Kayanberd and Haghpat-Sanahin trails. To reach the Lasti Ayr cave complex, you also need to cross this bridge. To see the monument, go to the crossroads of the Haghpat and Tsaghkashat village roads. From there, descend along the trail next to the green gates down into the gorge. The entrance is free and open 24 hours. We recommend being cautious while walking on the wet river stones to avoid slipping.