Bridge of Arta, Medieval stone bridge in Arta, Greece
The Bridge of Arta is a stone arch bridge spanning the Arachthos River with four asymmetrical arches resting on five piers. The crossing measures about 2.8 meters wide and rises approximately 12 meters above the water level.
The current structure was built during the Ottoman period between 1612 and 1615, though its foundations rest on Hellenistic constructions from the third century BC. This layering of different eras at the same location reflects centuries of continuous use.
The bridge features in a well-known local legend about a master builder and a tragic sacrifice tied to its foundations. This story remains so embedded in regional memory that locals still recount it when discussing the crossing.
The bridge functions as a pedestrian crossing with a stone surface that can become slippery when wet. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and move carefully, especially during or after rain.
From 1881 to 1912, the highest point of this bridge marked the exact border between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Greece. During this period, the crossing served as a geographical symbol of political division between two realms.
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