LORI-BERD FORTRESS

On the outskirts of the town of Stepanavan, about 4 km to the north after crossing the Dzoraget River, you must see the remains of the dead town of Lori-Berd (Lori Fortress), which was, from the 10th century, the stronghold of the medieval principality of Tashir-Dzoraget, contemporary of Ani. A rare specimen of Armenian medieval military and civil architecture, although it cannot be compared to Ani. Situated on a triangular plateau protruding like a prow at the confluence of two rivers at the bottom of the valley, the Dzoraget and the Urut, whose tumultuous waters it overlooks, Lori Berd has preserved the ruins of walls, bridges and other medieval constructions, in an impressive site that was once home to a veritable city. For more than a fortress, it is in fact a true fortified medieval city, extending over some 35 hectares, of which only these few remains remain. You can see the remains of the old baths as you walk along the site's beautifully and carefully laid out paved path, which leads to a small church flanked by its khatchkar, and which stops at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Dzoraget River, from where there is a plunging view over the valley.

Medieval bridge. The site also allows to admire a very well preserved 10th century bridge, one of the oldest in Armenia, which spans the Urut River. Subjects with vertigo should refrain. The site is also visible from the bottom of the gorges of the two rivers Urut and Dzoraguet which flow at its feet