Papastathis Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Ioannina Municipality, Greece.
The Papastathis Bridge is a stone arch structure crossing the Arachthos River in the Ioannina region with four arched supports. The crossing spans roughly 85 meters with a notably wide central arch at its center.
The structure was built in 1746 by Abbot Agapios from Viliza Monastery with help from local villagers who contributed funds to complete it. This construction reflects the partnership between religious institutions and local communities during that period.
The bridge carries a local legend about mysterious voices heard from the water during nights when the river swells. This folk tale shows how the crossing has captured people's imagination across generations in the region.
The crossing is best reached via the road from Anatoliki to Kotomista running through the Arachthos River gorge with clear directional markers. The area around the gorge offers good walking routes, though conditions vary depending on the season.
During World War II in 1942, German forces attempted to destroy it by bombing the central arch, but the structure survived the assault intact. The resilience of the construction is now viewed as a testament to its solid engineering.
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