Napoleon bridge, Stone bridge in Kobarid, Slovenia.
The Napoleon Bridge is a stone structure that crosses the Soča River and connects both sides of the valley near Kobarid. The sturdy arch sits low to the water and carries both pedestrians and vehicle traffic across the river gorge.
A wooden bridge that once stood here was destroyed by Venetians in 1616, leading to the construction of a stone replacement in 1750. The structure gained its name when Napoleon's forces later marched through the region during their military campaigns.
Two monuments beside the bridge commemorate Partisan fighters who died defending this area during World War II.
The easiest way to reach it is on foot from Kobarid or via hiking trails that lead directly to the bridge. The site is accessible year-round, though high water levels in the Soča river can occasionally make access difficult.
The structure has been rebuilt multiple times, changing materials from wood to stone and then iron, with each phase reflecting military needs. These different layers tell how infrastructure in this region was shaped by changing circumstances.
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