Bridge of Arta

Arta Bridge

Γεφύρι της Άρτας
Arta Bridge
Arta Bridge
Coordinates39°09′06″N 20°58′29″E / 39.15167°N 20.97472°E / 39.15167; 20.97472
CarriesPedestrian (footbridge)
CrossesArachthos River
LocaleArta, Greece
OwnerHellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports
Characteristics
MaterialStone
Width4 metres (13 ft)
Height12 m (39 ft 4 in)
No. of spans4
Piers in water5
History
Construction end1612; 412 years ago (1612)
Location
Map

The Bridge of Arta (Greek: Γεφύρι της Άρτας) is a stone bridge that crosses the Arachthos river (Άραχθος) in the west of the city of Arta (Άρτα) in northwestern Greece. It has been rebuilt many times over the centuries, starting with Roman or perhaps older foundations; the current bridge is probably a 17th-century Ottoman construction.

The folk ballad "The Bridge of Arta" tells a story of human sacrifice during its building. From the ballad, a number of Greek proverbs and customary expressions arose, associated with interminable delays, as in the text of the ballad: "All day they were building it, and in the night it would collapse."