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All Bulgaria Ardino Devil's Bridge

Devil's Bridge

An architectural marvel that spans the Arda River, and has stories of a haunted past.

Ardino, Bulgaria

Added By
Allison Meier
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Dyavolski most   Kristo Pantera
Dyavolski most   Kristo Pantera
Devil’s Bridge   Evgeni Dinev
Devil’s Bridge   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Devil’s Bridge   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Devil’s Bridge   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Devil’s Bridge   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Devil’s Bridge   Vassia Atanassova - Spiritia
Water fountain in Ardino shaped like the Devil’s Bridge   Infobgv
if turn the picture you can see something like face   Kristo Pantera
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About

Constructed between 1515 and 1518 in the early 16th century by a builder Dimitar from the nearby village of Nedelino, Dyavolski most, the Devil's Bridge or also known in Turkish as "Sheytan Kyupriya", is the most stunning of the humpbacked bridges that cross the Arda River in Bulgaria. It was built over a demolished Roman bridge and cuts from the steep slopes of the Rhodope Moutains along an ancient road linking the Aegean Sea and the Northern Thracian Valley (Gornotrakiiskata Nizina).

The bridge is located near the town of Ardino, which even has a water fountain shaped like the bridge. It's one of several "devil's bridges" found around Europe. Its span is 185 feet long, 11.5 feet wide, and at its gravity-defying central arch stands 37.7 feet high. Interior semi-circular arches were built in to monitor the water level. 

The reason some locals are hesitant to cross at night is rooted in dark lore. One story is that the head builder's wife passed away during construction, so her shadow was encased in the structure. Another tale has it that the devil's footprint can be found somewhere on the rocks. While this is all folkloric myth, its towering form does make for a somewhat unsettling vista in the darkness. 

The bridge was declared a cultural monument in 1984. It was also the spot for filming several scenes from the 1988 Bulgarian movie "Time of Violence" ("Vreme Razdelno").

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Bridges Devils Bridge Ghosts Architecture

Community Contributors

Added By

Allison

Edited By

michelle, Vagabond, Katerina, Kristo Pantera

  • michelle
  • Vagabond
  • Katerina
  • Kristo Pantera

Published

June 22, 2013

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Sources
  • http://earth.travel/768233
  • http://www.journey.bg/bulgaria/bulgaria.php?guide=2178
  • http://btourism.com/en/read.php?id=82
  • http://www.vagabond.bg/high-beam/1742-in-the-devils-footsteps.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyavolski_most
Devil's Bridge
Ardino, 6750
Bulgaria
41.62064, 25.114389
Visit Website

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