Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: γέφυρα

Greece - Κleidonia Bridge

04 Oct 2023 59 45 439
After an unsuccessful attempt in 1844, finally the Kleidonia (also Klidonia) Bridge was built in 1853. This one-arch bridge spans the Voidomatis river in a verdant valley. The construction was paid by Balkiz Hanum, spouse of the Turk Malik-pasha. The elongated arch has a length of 20 meters and a height of 9.15 meters. The path over the bridge is 3,20 meters wide. The bridge is considered being the end of the Vikos Gorge . The Kleidonia Bridge is not only known for its beautiful arch, its location among plane trees and scenic views, but also boasts of a history of a bloody feud between two families for reasons of honor.

Greece - Arta Bridge

29 Sep 2023 68 61 435
The Bridge of Arta is a stone footbridge crossing the Arachthos river on the outskirts of town. The current bridge is Ottoman and most probably built from 1602 till 1606. However the history of a bridge on that place goes even back to the Roman period. From the annexation of Arta in 1881 to the outbreak of the First Balkan War in 1912, the highest point of the bridge was the border between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Greece. The bridge has a length of 145 meters and the width is 3.75 meters. It has four semicircular arches with no symmetry. The Bridge of Arta received many restorations and additions throughout its history. A major restoration took place during the decade of 1980, after which the bridge got back its beauty. A folk ballad tells a story of how builders were building the bridge, but its foundations would collapse each night. Finally a bird with a human voice informed the master builder that he should sacrifice his wife in order to complete the construction. She was buried alive in the foundations of the bridge. She first curses the bridge, but then turns the curse into a wish once she realizes her brother may cross the bridge. Thus the sacrifice is fulfilled and the spirits of the river all the bridge to be built successfully. In 1931, during repairs, a small room was discovered in one of the bridge pillars: it is claimed that a skeleton was indeed found there.

Greece - Vrosina, bridge

02 Aug 2023 53 47 405
Some pictures of the stone single-arched stone bridge in Vrosina. Its construction was funded by the Makralexis Monastery The bridge crosses the river Zaloggitikos just before it flows into the Kalamas. I estimate the bridge is dating back to the end of the 19th century, like a lot of other stone bridges in Epirus. But to be honest I couldn’t find much information about the bridge. Even two friendly and helpful Vrosina-women were not able to find important information about its history on the internet.

Greece - Konitsa Bridge

26 Jul 2023 77 59 692
The Konitsa or Aoos Bridge was built by architect and stone-master Zioga Frontzou. The construction – done by 80 craftsmen - was completed in 1870, after the first attempt collapsed a year earlier.. The bridge - built to replace an older wooden bridge that stoof on the same place - helped to improve communication and transport between the local population in the area. The construction of the bridge was a difficult and expensive undertaking and a miracle of its time. The bridge - professionally and aesthetically designed - was not only financed by the rich, but also by the ordinary people who shared the idea of the bridge. The single-span stone arch bridge has a width of 36,80 meters and a height of almost 18 meters. The cobbled walkway - just 2,70 meters wide - has a length of 61,50 meters. The Konitsa Bridge is one of the largest stone bridges in Epirus (and even the Balkan). It’s not only the bridge, but also the location with the Aoos river flowing under the arch and an incredible view into the Aoos Gorge with the natural beauty of the green mountains of the Northern Pindos National Park in the background. Konitsa Bridge is built on the narrowest point of the Aoos gorge with some good rocks on both sides of the river. Therefore a one arch of big radius could steadily cover the distance, avoiding bigger and more expensive constructions. Under the arch hangs a little bell, which warned crossing people for strong winds. The bell was lost, but replaced in 1975.

Nederland - Schiedam, Appelmarktbrug

03 Mar 2023 60 56 554
The Appelmarktbrug is one of Schiedam's three cast-iron drawbridges, built around 1860. When a boat passes through the harbour, this bridge is pulled up by hand by two bridge keepers. The cast-iron drawbridges are the oldest examples in the Netherlands of double (cast-iron) drawbridges. From the Appelmarktbrug , one has a great view of the Lange Haven and the Havenkerk (PiP1 and 2); originally a Roman Catholic parish church.

Greece - Konitsa bridge

24 Jan 2020 123 112 1619
The Konitsa or Aoos bridge was built by architect and stone-master Zioga Frontzou. The work started in 1823 and was finished in 1870 (although it looks older). The bridge helped to improve communication and transport between the local population in the area. The construction of the bridge was a difficult and expensive undertaking and a miracle of its time. The bridge - professionally and aesthetically designed - was not only financed by the rich, but also by the ordinary people who shared the idea of the bridge. The single-span stone arch bridge has a width of 35 meters and a height of 20 meters and is one of the largest stone bridges in Epirus (and even the Balkan). It’s not only the bridge, but also the location with the Aoos river flowing under the arch and an incredible view into the Aoos Gorge with the natural beauty of the green mountains of the Northern Pindos National Park in the background. Konitsa bridge is built on the place where the Aoos is narrowing with also some good rocks on both sides of the river. Therefore an one and only arch of big radius could steadily cover the distance, avoiding bigger and more expensive constructions. Under the arch hangs a little bell, which warned crossing people for strong winds. The bell was lost, but replaced in 1975.

Slovenia - Ljubljana, Triple Bridge

10 Jan 2020 76 76 840
The Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) is a group of three bridges across the Ljubljanica River, connecting the historical center with the more modern parts of Ljubljana. The central bridge - then called Lower Bridge - was opened in 1842, replacing an old wooden medieval bridge, which was already mentioned in 1280. This Lower Bridge had two arches and a metal fence. In order to prevent the ‘1842 bridge’ becoming a bottleneck the famous Slovene architect Joze Plečnik designed in 1929 the two side bridges for pedestrians. Construction started in 1931 and continued until spring 1932. Nowadays the Triple Bridge is part of the pedestrian zone of the city. From each of the side bridges, two stairways lead to terraces situated just above the river The central bridge is partly built from limestone. Other parts are built from concrete. The ‘fences’ with 642 balusters are made of artificial concrete. The platform is covered with granite blocks laid in 2010. The bridge was renovated in 1992.

Greece - Arta Bridge

04 Jan 2019 100 84 1939
The Bridge of Arta is a stone footbridge crossing the Arachthos river on the outskirts of town. The current bridge is Ottoman and most probably built from 1602 till 1606. However the history of a bridge on that place goes even back to the Roman period. From the annexation of Arta in 1881 to the outbreak of the First Balkan War in 1912, the highest point of the bridge was the border between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Greece. The bridge has a length of 145 meters and the width is 3.75 meters. It has four semicircular arches with no symmetry. The Bridge of Arta received many restorations and additions throughout its history. A major restoration took place during the decade of 1980, after which the bridge got back its beauty. A folk tale tells a story of how builders were building the bridge, but its foundations would collapse each night. Finally a bird with a human voice informed the master builder that he should sacrifice his wife in order to complete the construction. She was buried alive in the foundations of the bridge. She first curses the bridge, but then turns the curse into a wish once she realizes her brother may cross the bridge. Thus the sacrifice is fulfilled and the spirits of the river all the bridge to be built successfully. In 1931, during repairs, a small room was discovered in one of the bridge pillars: it is claimed that a skeleton was indeed found there.

Greece - Konitsa bridge

17 Dec 2018 91 69 1495
The Konitsa or Aoos bridge was built (although it looks older) by architect and stone-master Zioga Frontzou. The work started in 1823 and was finished in 1870. The single arch has a width of 40 meters and a height of 20 meters and is one of the biggest stone bridges in the Balkan. It’s not only the bridge, but also the location with the Aoos river flowing under the arch and an incredible view into the canyon with the natural beauty of the green mountains of the Vikos - Aoos National Park in the background. Konitsa bridge is built on the place where the Aoos is narrowing with also some good rocks on both sides of the river. Therefore an one and only arch of big radius could steadily cover the distance, avoiding bigger and more expensive constructions. When the Turks left Konitsa in 1913 they tried to blow the bridge, but they did not succeed. Under the arch hangs a little bell, which warned crossing local people for strong winds. The bell was lost, but replaced in 1975.