Yerevan, August 2, 2026 – The historic Red Bridge, a significant monument located in Yerevan’s Kentron administrative district, has officially reopened to the public following comprehensive reinforcement, repair, and restoration work. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of Armenia announced the completion of the project, emphasizing its commitment to making Yerevan’s historical and cultural heritage more visible and accessible.
Continuous Efforts to Preserve Cultural Heritage
During the reopening event, Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, highlighted the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Yerevan’s rich historical and cultural heritage. She noted that Yerevan’s Urartian heritage has been included in UNESCO’s preliminary list, underscoring the international recognition of the city’s ancient roots.
The restoration of the Red Bridge was carried out within the framework of a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2022 between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports and benefactor Yuri Afrikian. The monument was restored between 2024 and 2025 with funds provided by Mr. Afrikian, ensuring the preservation of all historical layers that represent the value of its reconstruction.
The Red Bridge: A Testament to Medieval Armenian Engineering
The monument stands over the Hrazdan River and is the oldest preserved bridge in Yerevan. It is considered one of the largest engineering structures of medieval Armenia, boasting a height of 11 meters, a length of 80 meters, and a width of 6.5 meters. The Ministry stated that by connecting the banks of the Hrazdan Gorge, the bridge provided crucial road communication from the Yerevan Fortress to the Ararat Valley.
Dating back to the 10th-13th centuries, the bridge features finely carved facades, arches, and triple-layered profiled facade arches with arch-bearing jagged masonry. Throughout its existence, the structure has been periodically damaged by earthquakes and various historical events.
A Legacy of Resilience and Philanthropy
Following a powerful earthquake in 1679, the bridge was fundamentally rebuilt or constructed under the patronage of the wealthy merchant and philanthropist Khoja Plav of Kanaker (real name Hakob). The bridge is sometimes also referred to as Khoja Plav’s Bridge. It earned the name “Red Bridge” due to the color shades of its fired bricks and red tuff stones.
The department also informed that before the complete restoration in 2024-2025, only the large southern arch and the northern cell of the bridge had been preserved.
Future Outlook
The reopening of the Red Bridge marks a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to safeguard Armenia’s cultural heritage. It ensures that this architectural marvel will continue to serve as a historical landmark and a functional crossing for generations to come, symbolizing the resilience and enduring spirit of Yerevan.
Source: https://golosarmenii.am/arm/%D5%A5%D6%80%D6%87%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%AB-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B4%D5%AB%D6%80-%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%B8%D6%82%D6%80%D5%BB%D5%A8-%D5%BE%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A3%D5%B6%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B6/
