Shenin Bridge of Mariamadzor

Shenin Bridge of Mariamadzor

Location

Shenin Bridge is located in Mariamadzor village of Hadrut region, on a tributary flowing through the village (Figs․ 1, 2). Mariamadzor has been under Azerbaijani occupation since October 2020.

Fig. 1 The general view of the bridge, 2019, photo by G. Budaghyan.

Fig. 2 The general view of the bridge, 2020, photo by S. Amirjanyan.

Historical overview

The bridge connects the two main districts of the village. The Shenin spring is located in the immediate vicinity of the bridge.

According to the building inscription embedded onto the downstream-looking facade of the bridge, the bridge and the spring were built in 1869: “This spring and bridge are in memory of our parents, David and Grigor Asriyan, 1869” (Fig. 3) (Karapetyan 2009, 114).

Fig. 3 The building inscription of the bridge, 2019, photo by G. Budaghyan.

Architectural-compositional examination

It is a single-span bridge, built of rough stones and lime mortar. The stones of the arches are hewn (Fig. 4).

In addition to the main building inscription, two other inscriptions have been preserved, too, in which it is readable: “Grigor Asriyan… I – usta (master) built…” and “…Shati, Davit…”(Fig. 5) (Karapetyan 2009, 114).

During the Soviet era, the bridge was rebuilt and adapted for the traffic of modern vehicles.

Fig. 4 The bridge and the Shenin spring, 2019, photo by G. Budaghyan.

Fig. 5 The inscriptions of the bridge, 2019, photo by G. Budaghyan.

The condition before, during and after the war

The bridge was in good condition and it was in usage. It was not damaged during the war. There is no information about its post-war condition.

            Bibliography

  1. Karapetyan 2009 - Karapetyan S., The Bridges of Artsakh, Yerevan.
Shenin Bridge of Mariamadzor
Shenin Bridge of Mariamadzor
Shenin Bridge of Mariamadzor
Artsakh