Lalazar Bridge :: ARMENIAN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Lalazar Bridge 1867 y․

NKR / Kashunik / Davudlu

Location

This firm stone bridge with two spans over the Vorotan River is situated 2.5 km west of Davudlu.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 187.

The bridge of Lalazar stretches over the river Vorotan—in the area of its lower course, where it is more known by the name Bargushat—in Kashatagh District, Republic of Artsakh (RMK).
Geographical coordinates: N 39°26°27.66,°° E 46°27°45.90.

Karapetian, Samvel. The Bridges of Artsakh, Yerevan, 2009, p. 110.

Historical Introduction

Built by Hovakim Lalazariants from Khendzoresk in 1867, it was later repaired by his son Simeon between 1900 and 1902: “The stone bridge over the river Bargyushat, erected by Hovakim Lalazariants from Khentzoresk Village in the 1860s, used to be in a state of dilapidation; now it has undergone overhaul and is almost ready [for further use]. The renovation was conducted by the deceased Lalazariants’s son Simeon; thanks to his financial assistance, the bridge was under repairs for exactly a year and a half, he himself supervising the work.”

Mshak, 1902, No. 161, p. 2 (the original in Armenian).
Karapetian, Samvel. The Bridges of Artsakh, Yerevan, 2009, p. 110.
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 187.

The years marking the foundation and renovation of the bridge of Lalazar can still be read in its construction inscription (10 lines in the Armenian original) once engraved above its left-bank pier, on its facade looking downstream. In the Soviet years, this inscription was deliberately scraped away by the Azeri vandals. To enjoy using a bridge built by the Armenians, at the same time obliterating the words of commemoration left by its founders—a mode of behaviour so typical of Azeris and Turks (cf. the bridges of Shamakhi, Vagharshavan, Moks, Shatakh and many other places).

Karapetian, Samvel. The Bridges of Artsakh, Yerevan, 2009, p. 110.
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 187.

Architectural Description

The arches are faced by finely processed gray basalt. The length of the left span 12.37 m, and the right one is a little longer. The banistered passage is 4.05 m wide. The building inscription of ten lines was carved on a finely processed circular stone fastened into the eastern side of the left bank pylon.

Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 187.

The spans of the bridge are 13.84 and 12.66 metres in length. Passage width: 4.31 metres; height above water level: 9.10 metres.

Karapetian, Samvel. The Bridges of Artsakh, Yerevan, 2009, p. 110.

Foundation

There is an interesting and beautiful story connected with the foundation of this large bridge, which is told by the Armenians of the neighboring villages till now.

S. Karapetian, Kashunik-Barkushat-Ghubatli. Armenian Historical Monuments, "Areresum", N 15, p. 18 (in Arm).
Samvel Karapetian, Armenian Cultural Monuments in the Region of Karabakh, Yerevan, 2001, p. 187.

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Photo
View General
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Black-and-white negative

Type Photo
View Exterior
Author Samvel Karapetyan

The building inscription deliberately erased

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan

The Lalazar bridge (1867) over the Vorotan River

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan

The double-span bridge of Lalazar across the river Vorotan

Author http://earth.google.com/

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan

Type Photo
View `
Author Samvel Karapetyan

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan

Type Photo
View Partial view
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Source Colour Negative

Type Measurement
Author Ashot Hakobian
Source Sketch

Type Photo
Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 2009 y․

Its Armenian-language construction inscription which has been deliberately scraped off.

Author Samvel Karapetyan

Author Samvel Karapetyan
Date 1996 y․