Khudafarin Bridges

The two medieval bridges at Khudafarin are the most significant historical monuments in the Jabrayil district, spanning the Araz River at the point where it forms the Azerbaijan-Iran border. The fifteen-arch bridge and the smaller eleven-arch bridge stand within a few hundred metres of each other, both built in dark basalt and now weathered to a colour that blends almost entirely with the riverbank.

The bridges have been on Azerbaijan's tentative UNESCO World Heritage list for years and are considered nationally important monuments. The surrounding area at the river's edge — with the mountains of Iranian East Azerbaijan visible on the far bank — makes for a dramatic and historically resonant visit. The site is about 30 kilometres south of Cebrayil town. Check access conditions locally, as the Araz valley was heavily mined during the conflicts.

things to do sight
A story
The Khudafarin bridges span the Araz River on the historic Silk Road route between the Caucasus and Iran. The older of the two — a fifteen-arch span — is believed to date from the 11th or 12th century, making it one of the oldest surviving bridges in the region. During the years when the surrounding territory was held by Armenian forces, the bridges were inaccessible to Azerbaijanis for nearly three decades.