Cyprus is famous for its Venetian bridges - stone, old, mysterious. All of them are mainly hidden in the forests of Troodos and near old villages. But perhaps you didn’t know that the island has several non-Venetian, but no less remarkable bridges. We have put together a small guide to them for you.
Metal bridge in Trosen
West of Limassol, where hills separate the region from the Paphos area, there are few signs of life today. A unique bridge has stood here for many decades. An impressive metal structure connects the banks of the Diarizos River. The bridge was built during the period of British rule on the island and was constructed using typical British plans and materials, including an iron frame and a wooden deck mounted on beams. The bridge remains one of the few such structures still in use. More details
Photo: allaboutlimassol.com / Andreas Evfimiou
Bridge of Four Lanterns in Limassol
The bridge is located in one of the central areas of Limassol. It runs over the Garillis River and connects important streets and areas of the city, such as the Turkish quarter with the Greek quarter. During the years of Ottoman rule and until the arrival of the British, it was difficult to cross the river. This is despite the fact that then life in these parts was very busy, there were craft shops and retail outlets here. Pedestrians and riders were forced to ford the river, which in winter, after heavy rains, became quite difficult and sometimes impossible. In 1880 and 1894, major floods in Limassol resulted in loss of life. After this tragic incident, the British administration decided to build this bridge. Its characteristic element is four lanterns, two on each side. More details
Photo: allaboutlimassol.com
"Double Bridge" in Trimiklini
The locals nicknamed the curious structure “diplogefiro” or “double bridge”. Essentially, it represents two different bridges that served the transportation needs of residents in different historical eras. This place was the link between Limassol, Trimiklini and Troodos. The lower one was built during the years of British rule, by order of the colonial administration. The first stage of construction was completed at the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1901. Then the bridge served for carts heading from one end of Cyprus to the other. The second stage took place in 1917, after the appearance of the first passenger cars. The engineers decided not to bother dismantling the first bridge and built a second one right on top of it. More details
Photo allaboutlimassol.com
Four-arch bridge in Ypsonas
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the main road linking Limassol with the mountain villages and Troodos passed through the village known today as Ipsonas. A bridge for carts was built here. Over time, the stone four-arch bridge had to be restored, but it still serves people to this day. In winter, water from the hills fills the river bed that flows into the sea. Of course, the amount of water that flows under the bridge today is significantly less than in years past. The 15-meter-wide bridge has been under water twice in its history—during winter rainstorms in 1931 and 1969. More details
Photo allaboutlimassol.com
This article was first published in the Cyprus Herald on August 7, 2021. Some information may be out of date.
