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Greece - Arta Bridge

The Bridge of Arta is a stone footbridge crossing the Arachthos river on the outskirts of town. The current bridge is Ottoman and most probably built from 1602 till 1606. However the history of a bridge on that place goes even back to the Roman period.

From the annexation of Arta in 1881 to the outbreak of the First Balkan War in 1912, the highest point of the bridge was the border between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Greece.

The bridge has a length of 145 meters and the width is 3.75 meters. It has four semicircular arches with no symmetry. The Bridge of Arta received many restorations and additions throughout its history. A major restoration took place during the decade of 1980, after which the bridge got back its beauty.

A folk ballad tells a story of how builders were building the bridge, but its foundations would collapse each night. Finally a bird with a human voice informed the master builder that he should sacrifice his wife in order to complete the construction. She was buried alive in the foundations of the bridge. She first curses the bridge, but then turns the curse into a wish once she realizes her brother may cross the bridge. Thus the sacrifice is fulfilled and the spirits of the river all the bridge to be built successfully.
In 1931, during repairs, a small room was discovered in one of the bridge pillars: it is claimed that a skeleton was indeed found there.
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61 comments

Schussentäler said:

Die Baukunst dieser alten steinernen Brücken ist faszinierend
15 months ago ( translate )

Walter 7.8.1956 said:

So wie damals wird heute leider nicht mehr gebaut.
Brücken die wie für die Ewigkeit gebaut wurden.
Danke auch für die Informationen zu diesen großartigen Bildern.
15 months ago ( translate )

Madeleine Defawes said:

Superbe image de ce beau pont !
Bon weekend. Amitiés
15 months ago ( translate )

Malik Raoulda said:

SUBLIME et excellemment rendue avec toutes ces informations.
HFF et agréable fin de semaine salutaire.
15 months ago ( translate )

Joe, Son of the Rock said:

A very beautiful stone bridge. Have a great weekend, Japp.
15 months ago ( translate )

Xata said:

Two great perspectives, HFF Jaap
15 months ago ( translate )

gezginruh said:

Very beautiful stone bridge and interesting information!
HFF and have a great weekend,Jaap!

Best wishes
Füsun
15 months ago

Makrofan said:

Wunderbare Aufnahme! HFF und ein schönes Wochenende!
15 months ago ( translate )

Percy Schramm said:

You chosed a fine POV to show this beautiful old bridge. HFF, wish you a nice weekend, Jaap !
15 months ago

Herb Riddle said:

A wonderful bridge here with the perfect P.O.V. Well done.

HFF, enjoy the weekend. Herb
15 months ago ( translate )

David Slater (Spodde… said:

That's a great construction, looks so slender but so strong. HFF Jaap and happy weekend.
15 months ago

LotharW said:

Danke für die Erklärung, Jaap! HFF und ein schönes Wochenende!
15 months ago ( translate )

TOZ said:

What a beautiful bridge Jaap nice one.
HFF have a great day.
TOZ
15 months ago

Roger (Grisly) said:

Beautiful bridge and a well composed image Japp
Wish you a nice Friday and a good weekend
15 months ago

Mikus said:

Beautiful and very sturdy. A nice find. A good Weekend an hFF.
15 months ago ( translate )