Zogu Bridge, Steel arch bridge in Milot, Albania
Zogu Bridge is a steel arch bridge spanning the Mat River near Milot with five main arches resting on concrete piers. The river flows through a narrow valley, and the structure sits solidly between rocky banks with cables visible along its length.
The bridge was completed in 1927 and served as the only permanent crossing over the Mat River for several decades. Damage during World War II led to a redesign, reducing the original number of arches in its rebuilt form.
The bridge owes its name to King Zog I, who initiated its construction, and it was long called Ura e Zogut. The Italian engineer Martini drew up the design, almost all building material came from Italy, and the Albanian engineer Gjovalin Gjadri carried out the project. Gjadri also designed the Milot–Burrel road through Mirditë.
The bridge is accessible on foot from the center of Milot and can be visited at any time of the year. Note that two newer bridges nearby now carry most of the traffic, so this one remains quiet and easy to explore.
The original design featured six arches, but post-war repairs resulted in a five-arch structure that remains standing today. This change is a tangible reminder of the conflict's impact on the region's infrastructure.
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