In the northern part of Armenia, in picturesque nature of Lori region, which is full of fairy and mysterious pictures, verdant woods and deep gorges, there are situated the medieval jewels of Armenian architecture, such as the monasteries of Sanahin, Haghpat, Odzun, Aghtala, Qobayr, Khorakert, Ardwin, Bardzraqash St. Grigor and Qarasun Mankants, the fortress Kayanberd and Kaytson, the monastery Khuchap, Horomayr and Hnevanq. These monuments, which are merged to the nature of Lori, have always been in the focus of attention calling all those who admire the wonders created by human beings.
It is not accidental that two of the monuments of Lori region, the medieval monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpart (10-13-th centuries) have their place in UNESCO world heritage list. Next to these monuments, a part of the heritage is the bridge of Sanahin (9-th century), built on the heavy waves of the river Debed.
The bridge of Sanahin is one of the famous engineering constructions of medieval Armenia. According to the inscription on one of the khachqars found near the bridge, it was built at the end of the 12-th century by the Armenian queen Vaneni, in commemoration of her husband King Abas.
The bridge which is built of basalt stones, has a lenght of 60 meters, its right part has a side with a high rock and the left part is situated in the low bank of the river. The length of one-vaulted span is about 18 meters. As the left part of the bridge is at a lower point, from the bank to the center, from both sides there are 12 stepped landings.
Owing to its firmness and the harmonious construction of all the parts, the bridge of Sanahin has its unique place among the numerous bridges of medieval Armenia. There are high-reliefs of lions, which seem to have preserved the bridge and guarded the road from the bridge to the monastery for ages.