Napoleon Bridge, Stone bridge in Kobarid Municipality, Slovenia.
Napoleon Bridge is a stone structure spanning the Soča River at its narrowest gorge, carrying traffic across the emerald water below. The construction measures roughly 33 meters and is supported by stone piers anchored deep into the riverbed.
The original stone construction was built in 1750 and took its name when French forces crossed it in 1797 during their advance into the Soča valley. Austrian troops later destroyed the structure during World War I, after which Italians built a wooden replacement before eventually installing an iron crossing.
Two monuments beside the bridge honor partisan resistance and remember Ivan Berginc, executed by SS soldiers in 1943. These memorials shape how the community remembers a difficult past.
The location serves as access to several hiking trails and lies near the Kozjak Waterfalls and Kobarid Museum. The best time to visit is during dry weather, as the paths to surrounding attractions are safer to walk.
The bridge has survived multiple reconstructions and destructions, being rebuilt at least three times throughout its existence. Each version reflects the different eras and conflicts that shaped the Soča valley.
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