Aza Bridge is an architectural monument of the 17th century located on Gilanchay in the village of the same name in Ordubad region. Aza Bridge, located on the important trade-caravan route connecting India and China with the Black Sea coast and European countries, was built during the time of Safavid ruler Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) to facilitate the work of trade caravans moving from east to west along the Great Silk Road. Built of reddish local mountain stone, the five-span bridge is 3.5 meters wide and 46 meters long. When the bridge was built, the location was taken into account, and the distance between the arches was set in different sizes. Local products, including dried fruits, handicrafts, and silk were exported with trade caravans that passed through here. As a result of natural disasters and some historical events over the centuries, the bridge was destroyed many times and later repaired. In 1997, the bridge was thoroughly restored and rebuilt after strong flood waters washed away part of it. Currently, people and vehicles going from Nakhchivan and Ordubad to Azadken use this bridge.
