Paravi (Old Woman’s) Bridge

A medieval structure which is known to have repeatedly undergone renovation, this bridge lies over the river Trtu (Tartar), at the eastern extremity of Mataghis Village, Martakert District, Republic of Artsakh (RMK). Presumably, its last overhaul was carried out between the 16th and 17th centuries: “…the stone-built bridge of Parav is ascribed to an old woman who is said to have left some money for its [future] repairs somewhere inside it. In order to find this money, the villagers have considerably destroyed and half damaged this bridge as well.” __11. Haykuny. Travelling Notes. In: Meghu Hayastani, 1885, No. 66, p. 3. Also see Raffi. Two Months in the Lands of Caucasian Albania and Siunik. In: Luma, book 2, June 1896, p. 216; Leo. Im Hishatakarany. In: Collected Works, vol. 8, p. 137; Mkrtchian, Sh. The Historical and Architectural Monuments of Nagorno Karabakh. Yerevan, 1985, p. 70 (the originals in Armenian). Span length: 7.64 metres; passage width: 4.78 metres; height above water level: 11.10 metres.