Your trusted source

Excavations works have been underway in the zone of the Upper Mosque in the Nagorno Karabakh city of Shushi since March 21, implemented by the archaeological group of the Service for the Protection of the Historical Environment of the Republic of Artsakh.

According to the release by the agency, the Upper Mosque was constructed in 1883 by Iranian architect Qarbeli sefi Khan’s project. During the Soviet years, the mosque served as a Geological Museum. Today the mosque is partly damaged, yet stands.

Deputy Economy Minister of the Artsakh Republic Sergey Shahverdyan said excavation works in the zone of the Upper Mosque would allow to draft a precise project of the site rehabilitation. The archaeological group headed by Doctor of History Nzhdeh Yeranyan is currently working in the eastern and western sides of the monument. 

“Both excavation works and the rehabilitation come to prove that Artsakh Republic cares for not only Armenian but also foreign historical heritage, which is a vivid expression of cultural tolerance,” Yeranyan noted, while commenting on the ongoing works, adding the excavations will provide better understanding about the historic environment of the monument.

It is noted, that the Upper Mosque was rehabilitated for the first time in 2008-2009, when the roof of the monument was restored. The excavation works will last for 20 days.