What makes memories special?

Written by Astgh Poghosyan, Head of the Archaeological and Numismatic Department and Keeper, Archaeological Metal Storage, History Museum of Armenia (Armenia, ITP 2026)

Hello everyone! My name is Astgh, and I work at the History Museum of Armenia. Our amazing journey with ITP is slowly coming to an end. Today is our last day in Lincoln, and I want to dedicate my blog to the Lincoln I saw: a city of cozy streets, beautiful views, and the most incredible ascent.

Lincoln is a beautiful city that doesn’t reveal itself immediately; it opens slowly, and like its history, you discover it layer by layer. At first, you see just a small city with lovely buildings, and it seems nothing extraordinary. Tired from the road and complaining about the weather (which decided to be cold in the middle of summer), we finally reached our hotel room. That was the moment I realized there must be something very special here: the cathedral you could see from everywhere in the city, and the bell whose sound felt unlike anything else. That’s how our journey truly began – the city revealed its beauty, and the sun started to shine.

Our introduction to the city began with the Lincoln Museum, which is temporarily closed for renovation. We were lucky to see the work in progress and meet the people who are so passionate about creating and sharing. The future galleries will be places where visitors can see a rare Bronze Age wooden coffin and boat – a miracle that is getting a new life in the museum thanks to conservators. Many beautiful stories about real people create a personal connection with history. All these stories come to life thanks to countless hours of work, exploration, and hardship that remain unseen, yet create the magic of storytelling.

The story begins inside the museum building but continues in the streets of the city, where every corner holds a piece of the past. The Roman-period city rises before your eyes thanks to the stories told by our wonderful guide. Like a time machine that lets you move through history, you see how the Roman city first occupied the top of the hill, then grew larger and more important. The traces of old Roman roads and foundations of original buildings are visible throughout modern Lincoln. One of the most impressive Roman remains is Newport Arch, the great stone archway that once served as the north gate of the upper city – the Roman road linking London with York. The “Mint Wall” is an old Roman defensive wall hidden away, which once formed part of the outer structure of the basilica- the Roman town hall. The old east gate, once one of the most splendid structures of Roman Lincoln, could be seen from our hotel. Living next to these important remains made my days in Lincoln even more meaningful.

The next stage of the journey brings you into the Middle Ages, behind the magnificent castle that holds many stories about England’s history. Although I wasn’t familiar with English history, the excitement and love with which these stories were told turned me not into a silent listener, but into someone who sincerely supports Matilda and even becomes an advocate for the decision made by young John. The castle holds many stories – not only about fateful events, but also about the personal lives of ordinary people.

But Lincoln is not only about rich history, beautiful architecture, and wonderful nature. For me, Lincoln is first of all about amazing people – warm, open, and always ready to help. Passionate about their work and deeply dedicated. Lincoln is a charming city full of sun and colors, with narrow and welcoming streets lined with small, cozy shops. Lincoln is the cat café we couldn’t visit, but which will always stay in my memory. It’s the delicious food we ate, the lively pubs, and the friends with whom I shared this time.

So what makes memories special? I think it’s the places that accept you and reveal their hidden beauty to you – and the people who make every moment unforgettable.

My memories of Lincoln and ITP will always stay with me, warming my heart. I couldn’t be happier for this amazing journey and for meeting all the wonderful people along the way.