A team of Armenian archaeologists has uncovered a remarkably well-preserved medieval road at the historic Lori Fortress, revealing new insights into the architectural ingenuity and urban design of medieval Armenia. The discovery, made during the 2025 restoration excavations led by the Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage, marks one of the most significant archaeological findings in northern Armenia in recent years.
Archaeologists from the Scientific Research Centre of Historical and Cultural Heritage, led by Arman Nalbandyan, uncovered the medieval stone-paved road during rescue and exploratory excavations at the Lori Fortress.
The 2025 excavations, carried out as part of a broader restoration program, produced significant and highly interesting results. Work focused on the second, or royal, bathhouse complex located near the edge of a deep gorge. Because of its position along the gorge, the structure had partially collapsed. Excavations revealed the foundations of its walls and two pools equipped with water supply and drainage systems. Numerous fragments of glazed and plain pottery were discovered, along with an exceptional decorative brick depicting a peacock motif.
Excavations in various sections of the fortress wall also yielded notable results. In the central part of the wall, archaeologists uncovered the entrance to a hidden passage approximately five meters high. The passage was opened almost to its full width, which will help specialists create a more precise and accurate restoration plan for the site.
Particularly remarkable findings came from excavations near the fortress entrance, where researchers uncovered a medieval roadway paved with stone slabs and tombstones. The curbstones of the road were constructed using fragments of various architectural monuments, including sections with decorative arches and bases. These discoveries provide further insight into the advanced architectural craftsmanship and urban planning traditions of medieval Armenia, deepening understanding of Lori Fortress’s cultural and historical significance.
