Restoration continues at 17 cultural heritage sites in Armenia
Seventeen monuments are being restored in Armenia, including churches, fortresses, bridges, monastery complexes and frescoes. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport is monitoring work at the sites.
Armenia’s fortresses, bridges, monasteries and frescoes
On October 26, Mir 24 reported, citing the ministry’s press office, that restoration was underway in several regions of Armenia. In Aragatsotn Province, specialists are restoring the fifth-century Tsiranavor Church and Amberd Fortress. In Armavir Province, the list includes Targmanchats Church in the community of Aygeshat and Sarkis Muradyan’s fresco “The Defense of Sasun” at the House of Culture in the village of Apaga.
Restoration of Berdkunk Fortress continues in Gegharkunik Province. In Lori Province, work covers the citadel walls at the Lori Berd Historical and Archaeological Reserve, the Sedvi monastery complex in the village of Kachachkut and a 13th-century bridge in Yagdan. In Kotayk Province, work is underway at Ptghni Church.
In the village of Krasar, in the Ashotsk community of Shirak Province, restorers are repairing a 19th-century bridge. Restoration had been scheduled to begin in 2026, and the latest report confirms that work has started.
Several sites in Vayots Dzor Province are on the list, including the Shativank monastery complex and its frescoes, Prince Chesar Orbelyan’s palace in the village of Ors and the Orbelyan Caravanserai in Aghnjadzor. In Tavush Province, specialists are restoring the Srveg monastery complex, repairing the walls, adjoining buildings and church of Tavush Fortress, and restoring the 19th-century Karakarmunj Bridge in the village of Navur.
Ministry specialists make regular site visits to check on restoration progress. During these visits, they address issues arising during the work and advise the construction and restoration teams.
Specialist shortage slows monument restoration
The scale of the task was discussed on August 27, 2025. At the time, Sputnik Armenia reported, citing Arutyun Vanyan, head of the Monument Protection Department, that more than 700 historical and cultural monuments were in critical condition. Around 20 restoration projects were underway in the country, and Vanyan estimated that restoring these monuments would take decades.
Armen Ovannisyan, director of the Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment and Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserves, identified the shortage of staff as the main difficulty. Armenia had around 30 restoration architects, not all of whom were actively working. Archaeologists were also in short supply, forcing teams to limit the time allotted to excavations and divide specialists among several sites.
The National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia trains new specialists through a dedicated master’s program for restoration architects. In December 2025, it was reported that 8 specialists had graduated from the program during the previous year.