Belenski most, Deck arch bridge in Ruse Province, Bulgaria
Belenski most is a stone arch bridge spanning the Yantra River with 14 arches resting on 13 concrete supports. The structure extends approximately 276 meters and features protective wedge-shaped projections on each support for stability.
The bridge was built between 1865 and 1867 under commission from Midhat Pasha and represented an important engineering achievement of that era. A major flood in 1922 damaged eight of the central arches, leading to significant reconstruction work.
The bridge displays local craftsmanship through its limestone construction and carved animal reliefs on the supports. These decorative details reflect building traditions that visitors can observe while crossing.
The bridge sits about one kilometer from Byala town and now primarily serves pedestrians and cyclists. A newer parallel bridge nearby handles modern vehicle traffic, allowing visitors to experience this older structure safely and comfortably.
Master builder Kolyu Ficheto designed this bridge at a fraction of competing construction costs. His efficient approach resulted in a solid structure that came in well below the estimates of other contractors.
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